Photos courtesy of Mike Barker If you’re a college football junkie and you’re on either Instagram or the app formerly known as Twitter, you’ve no doubt come across Michael Barker. From August until deep into December, the man behind the College Football Campus Tour handles o n X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram can be seen living every college football fan’s dream. He is on a seemingly endless tour of all the cathedrals of college football, both large and small. Notre Dame Stadium? He’s seen it. Is Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge at night? He’s done that. Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clifton, South Carolina, home of the Presbyterian Blue Hose? Yeah, he’s been there too. During the 2023-24 season, Barker attended a staggering 90 college football games. Let that sink in. Now, marinate on this; for the 2024-25 season, his goal is to attend an astounding 100 games. At the time of this interview, Barker was getting ready to start his most ambitious week of the season, attending seven games in six days. For this conversation, Barker talked about getting started on his tour, his hilarious Obstructed Views posts, and what’s left on the bucket list for him. --- EM: I know you’ve got a pretty packed schedule these days, so I appreciate you making some time for me. Let’s just jump right in. How did this all get started? MB : My pleasure. I started in 2017 when I took a trip to Lake Estes, Colorado. There’s a hotel there called the Stanley Hotel. It’s where Stephen King stayed and inspired the book and the movie The Shining.   Along the way, I made two stops at Colorado and Colorado State . My dad played college football. He played one year at BYU and two years at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He said one of his best games was at Colorado State, where he had 19 tackles and an interception. So, I stopped and checked out the colleges and the stadiums. Rather than spend two nights at the Stanley, I ended up going into Laramie to see Wyoming and back down to Colorado Springs to see the Air Force . I enjoyed it, and when I got home, I went to see the two Arizona schools and Oregon. I went to games that fall, 13 in 2017, 30 in 2018, 50 in 2019, and after 2021, I accomplished the goal of seeing a game at every FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) school. Since then, I’ve been going back to COVID games and revisiting those. Now, I’m trying to do all of the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) schools. Last year, I set a record of seeing 90 games in one football season. EM: So, what is your ultimate goal, if you have one? MB: I went t o Stephen F. Austin  on [October 5], and that was Division I school number 220 out of 262. That leaves 42, and they’re all FCS schools except Kennesaw State, which just moved up. They pretty much all play on Saturday, so it’s not like you can do 40 in a year. So, last year, I started with 51 and went to 17. So, 17 times three is 51, and that’s the goal. I think I can be done by the end of 2026. The issue is Mercyhurst was added this year. Next year [ UT-Rio Grande Valley ] moves up. Chicago State is talking about [moving up]. So, you keep making progress, but they keep throwing new ones out. I don’t know what the goal is; I’m just going as hard as I can. I’ve already been to 10 new FCS schools this year, and I said I want 17. That’s the goal, to be the only [person] to see games at all 262 Division I schools. EM: Let’s shift gears a little. How did the “Obstructed Views” bit get started? For those who don’t know, you find what is the worst seat in each of these stadiums and take pictures of the action from there. MB: In 2018, I went to Washington State  versus Oregon. It was when College GameDay was there. It was Gardner Minshew and Mike Leach versus Justin Herbert. I put that game on the schedule at the beginning of the year, and as far as I was concerned, it was just going to be Oregon versus Washington State. It wasn’t a big game. When it rolled around, I think both teams were 5-0 or 5-0 and 4-1, and every ticket was going for like $750. I was going by myself, and I found a ticket for $250, so I bought it. When I got there, there was one part of Martin Stadium [with] the light towers, and one of those is inset into the bleachers. My seat happened to be right behind that tower. I took a video of Gardner Minshew throwing a fade in the end zone, and the wide receiver disappeared behind the pole and came out the other side for a touchdown. That was a first-hand experience of being a victim of the “obstructed view.” In Wyoming, they have this place called “the knothole,” which is up at the top. It’s a common thing where they build the press box but leave the seats next to it. So, I put up a photo of that in 2019. It wasn’t until 2022 at Western Michigan . I called it the “makeout seat,” where it was just a two-seat bleacher. I had someone take a photo from behind me, like this first-person view, and that thing went crazy on social media. It’s pretty much become a little bit of a phenomenon. People will take photos and tag me in them. It’s grown my following and opened up doors for me that I didn’t think would ever happen, which is cool. EM: So, you’ve got the goal of 100 games this year. That’s pretty ambitious, to say the least. How do you go about coordinating something like that? MB: So, last year was 90 games, and as soon as I did 90, everyone in the comments asked, ‘Can you do 100?’ I said no. Two things happened, though, first, they added an extra week to the regular season, and the other was the 12-team playoff, which extended the postseason. I found that there could be 100 games to get to. I tell people that the most fun thing I do is going to games, and the second most fun thing to do is planning to see games. What you do is, all the weekday games, you pick those out as soon as they get announced. Once times are announced, I try to pick two games on a Saturday: a day game and a night game. As the season goes on, it gets more challenging because they have the 12-day and the six-day rule, which is where they withhold kick times and try to put the best games in the best TV slot. It’s good for them, but it’s not good for you when you’re trying to plan and book flights on short notice. The game [on Octo ber 3] at Troy star ted a stretch of 52 games in 59 days. I see 77 in the regular season and 24 in the postseason, with the possibility of adding one or two more. If all goes according to plan, knock on wood, I’ll get to 100 games this season. EM: I won’t ask you to pick a favorite stadium because I feel like that’d be asking someone to pick a favorite child. What’s been something on your travels that has surprised you, though? Something you weren’t expecting in a good way. MB: Well, I can just tell you, a couple of weeks ago, I went to the season opener at Grand Valley State. I’d visited that stadium, and I knew that they were a DII power, but that was like Group of 5, Sun Belt vibes. I mean that the crowd was crazy, the student section was full. They had those thunder sticks like back in the California Angels days. There were fireworks, and they just destroyed their opponent. That one blew me away. Also, I just went to see [the Texas A&M Aggies  at] Kyle Field on October 5. This was my second visit. I had gone back in 2018 when they were unranked; they played number one Clemson. It was 28-26, and if they’d gotten a two-point conversion, they would have gone to overtime. I had never seen a crowd just with a team that almost beat the number one team in the nation. I went…to see them play [ Missouri ], and A&M is two-and-a-half-point favorites against a higher-ranked team, and they obliterated them. The crowd had a big impact again. I love that. Two other stadiums I talk about a lot are App State  and Kidd Brewer Stadium. I call it the “field of dreams.” I’ve been there six times, more than any other place. It’s special. My favorite place, though, is [ UTEP and] the Sun Bowl in El Paso. It’s at a 4,000-foot elevation, and I-10 runs behind the stadium, with one side the U.S. and the other side Mexico. The visitor's side and press box are carved into the mountain. It’s almost like Baskin-Robbins, though. What’s your favorite flavor? Do you like the 100,000-seat stadiums? Do you like the Montana Washington Grizzly Stadium going wild? There are all types. Even if I’ve been to all of these places, I hear that well, you haven’t gone on homecoming, you haven’t gone on a rivalry game, you haven’t gone to a playoff game. Even though the individual places, I’ve gotten to most of them, the bucket list is almost endless. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos courtesy of Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Vaught-Hemingway Stadium All-American & Hill Drive Oxford, MS 38677 Mississippi Rebels website Vaught-Hemingway Stadium website Year Opened: 1915 Capacity: 64,038 Rim! Ram! Flim! Flam! It's been called the Literary Capital of the South, as Grisham, Faulkner, and Willie Morris have all lived here and used the small Mississippi town as a setting for many of their novels. It's Oxford, Mississippi, and after coming here, it's easy to see why, as the scene here is something straight out of a novel. At The Grove, you'll find tailgating like you've never seen before – it's as grand and upscale as you can get, with chandeliers hung from a sea of tents and people eating off fine china. Students wear their Sunday Best, with men in slacks and women in dresses and boots, backdropped by beautiful Greek column buildings and hundred-year-old oaks. This is Ole Miss Rebels football, and the unique blend of Southern culture, charm, and historic tradition combined with one of the most storied programs in all of college football makes coming to an Ole Miss football game a must-do in the fall. The Rebels began playing football at Ole Miss in 1893 as the state's first football team; as one of the founding members of the SEC in 1932, the Rebs won six SEC titles and won three National Championships (1959, 1960, and 1962). Since 1915, the Rebs have played at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the country's fifth-oldest FBS College Football stadium, which, as of 2024, has a capacity of 64,038, making it the largest stadium in the state of Mississippi based on capacity. The stadium is named after Judge William Hemingway, a former law professor at Ole Miss, and former Head Coach John Vaught, who coached the Rebels from 1947-1973, including the three National Championship teams. Coming to an Ole Miss game is an experience like no other and perhaps the most raucous atmosphere in not just the SEC but across all of college football.   Food and Beverage   4 You can find plenty to eat and drink inside the stadium if you don't fill up pregame in The Grove or on The Square. In 2019, Ole Miss updated the concessions inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to give you plenty of options – in addition to over 20 different basic stands built into the concourse, you'll also find several custom-themed options. Fergndan's Wood Fire Pizza has two locations for fans to purchase brick oven pizzas, and there is also a sausage and hot dog cart located on the southeast side of the stadium. Burger Me, a spot to get custom-themed burgers, is located on the southwest concourse, while Chop's BBQ has two locations to get anything BBQ-related, from nachos to pulled pork sandwiches. Chops has its signature item called Totchos, which includes pulled pork, tater tots, and jalapenos, The Healthy Rebel features grilled chicken wraps, fruit cups, and other healthy snacks. Lastly, Great American Cookie and Nuts 4 offers spots in the stadium to get candy, funnel cake, and cookies. For drinks, Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of Ole Miss athletics – if you purchase the souvenir cup for $7, you can get $1 refills throughout the game. Also, a cool promotion they have is if you take your signature Ole Miss cup to any Blue Sky convenience store in Oxford, you can get a 65-cent refill. But for those who want to drink alcohol, there are 15 stands inside The Vaught, where you can buy alcoholic beverages. The usual domestic beer is sold, as well as some premium beers such as Suzy B, a local beer, and Henry's Hard Sparkling Water, a locally brewed seltzer. A cool spot to hang out and have a drink is Blue Moon Brewhouse, located on the west concourse; this location is a cool little beach-themed bar with TVs, but it is kind of hidden so as not to get in the way of people walking through. I found myself here at Blue Moon Brewhouse during halftime, watching some of the other games on TV.   Atmosphere   5 You cannot find an atmosphere that embodies the Southern culture and personality more than a trip to the Ole Miss campus on a game day. At the center of campus lies The Grove, a 10-acre greenspace that is transformed into the SEC's ultimate debutante ball on gamedays – a sea of tents takes over The Grove, stretching as far as the eye can see, all under the shade of hundred-year-old oaks and magnolia trees, for which The Grove got its name. It is an upscale affair here, with many tents decked out with elaborate décor, including people drinking wine and eating off fine china. It is also not uncommon to find chandeliers hanging from the tents here. A common misconception is that you have to dress up to come to games here, but that is mostly for the students. Ole Miss has a large student population in Greek life who dress up in suits and ties, but most people will be wearing casual attire, as it can be particularly hot in Mississippi in September. I would go with khaki shorts in the heat and khaki pants in the cold. The ladies will particularly dress up more than the men; you'll find many women wearing fancy dresses and boots while wearing glitzy hats. Just blocks from campus are the famed Square, the downtown area, and the cultural heart of Oxford. The Square is just as much a part of the Ole Miss gameday experience as The Grove – The Square is about a 15-minute walk from The Grove, so many fans will walk back and forth between the two before the game. 2 1/2 hours before kickoff is perhaps the most cherished gameday tradition at Ole Miss, the Walk of Champions. During the Walk, the football team walks from the student union down a brick-lined path through the Grove and into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. This tradition began in 1983 when coach Billy Brewer wanted the players to experience the atmosphere of The Grove before the game. There is also another cool tradition here, where fans will lock arms and rock back and forth as the team runs out onto the field – this is called "Locking the Vaught." The stadium sits at the center of campus, a short quarter mile from The Grove – the facility is surrounded by buildings, so it's kind of hard to see as you approach. On the west side of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is SBJ Pavilion , which opened in 2016 and is home to the Rebels basketball team. The Pavilion is open on football gamedays and hosts a small fan fest inside and outside of the building. On the south side sits Manning Practice Facility, named after the Manning Family (Archie, Eli, and even Tennessee  grad Peyton have their names engraved on the plaque). Outside the venue, near the student entrance, is a giant statue of former coach John Vaught. Once inside the stadium, the seating bowl is in a perfectly shaped oval around the field, which faces north and south. The facility is not very high up or steep like some stadiums are, but instead, all 64,000+ seats fit into the oval-shaped bowl and are slanted at a 45-degree angle, so you'll have great views no matter where you sit. At the top of the east grandstand is the Rebel Club, a climate-controlled luxury seating area, while at the north end is a huge video board measuring 48 x 105 feet. My favorite spot to watch the game from is a standing-room-only concourse below the Rebel Club – here, you'll get excellent views of the field and also a great view of the fireworks that go off after every Ole Miss touchdown. For night games, they'll do a pretty impressive light or drone show at the start of the 4th quarter, which is best seen the higher up you are. The students take up the entire north end zone, and there is no way to get into that seating area from elsewhere in the seating bowl. Students and fraternities will start filling up the student section hours before kickoff, and you'll hear plenty of "Hotty Toddies" throughout the day. This saying is synonymous with Ole Miss, and when you leave the game, you'll have the official rallying cry stuck in your head for days – “Heighty! Tighty! Gosh A Mighty! Who in the [Heck] are we? Rim! Ram! Flim! Flam! Ole Miss, By [Darn]!”.   Neighborhood   5 This small town of 25,000 swells to over 100,000 on Saturdays in the Fall. About a 3-block walk from campus is The Square, centered around the Historic Lafayette County Courthouse, which was built in 1872; local shops and restaurants make up the businesses around the courthouse. Oxford's favorite son, William Faulkner, used The Square as a setting for many of his books, renamed the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, while Oxford was called Jefferson in his novels. Some of the more popular shops on The Square include the South's oldest department store, Neilsen's, which has been in operation in the same location since 1839. Another must-visit if on The Square is Square Books, one of the largest independent bookstores in the country – You never know who you might run into in the famed bookstore on gameday, whether it be John Grisham or one of the Mannings. There are four Square Books stores located on the block, with each store featuring a large selection of local and national authors, from kids' books to history books. Some of the restaurants on The Square include Ajax Diner, voted the Best Plate lunch in Mississippi, as well as City Grocery for local Southern fried foods and Boure Restaurant for Creole or Cajun. South Depot Taco Shop offers tacos and Mexican dishes, but if you want to venture out a little, world-renowned Taylor Grocery is about a 15-minute drive from Oxford and is famous for its fried catfish. A visit to this hole-in-the-wall is almost a rite of passage for Ole Miss fans and something you must see if in Oxford – note that the place gets extremely busy on Sundays after gamedays, however. Oxford also has a popular live music scene; the Delta Blues combined with Memphis rock ‘n roll has produced a unique jam band scene. Proud Larry's, The Lyric, and Rooster's Blues House are a few of the popular places on The Square to check out live music, while End of All Music is also a popular place to buy vintage records and vinyl albums. The Lyric's building was once used as the stables for William Faulkner's horses – Faulkner lived nearby at the historic mansion Rowan Oak, which makes for another must-visit if in Oxford; the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer wrote five novels while living inside this two-story 1840s mansion. Rowan Oak is located just off campus and is open for public tours, and there is even a cool trail that goes from campus through the woods and to Rowan Oak. Besides all of the above, for outdoor stuff to do during the weekend, there is the South Campus rail trail, a paved bike trail over a former railroad, as well as Sardis Lake just north of Oxford, which is a great place to take a boat or do any other water-related activities.   Fans   5 This season, fan support is at an all-time high, with every game selling out. In fact, the game I most recently saw broke the attendance record with over 67,000 fans in attendance – this was also the highest-attended college football game ever in the State of Mississippi. Head coach Lane Kiffin has brought prestige back to the program to the likes of how it was in 2014 when the Rebels rose as high as Number 2 in some polls. There is just something special about generations of families gathering together in the same place in The Grove on Saturdays in the fall for decades. Ole Miss fans are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable of any fan base you will find – The Grove has a bad reputation for not being very welcoming to visiting fans, but I did not find that to be the case, as I saw many opposing fans walking around in The Grove. The only visiting fans who might get hassled are Mississippi State  fans. Most of the fans here are knowledgeable about the history and traditions of the program – you'll find old-school fans who can remember names like Archie and Eli Manning, Deuce McAllister, and Patrick Willis, as well as a new generation of fans who remember guys that made an impact on the program in the past 10-15 years like Bo Wallace, Chad Kelly, AJ Brown, DK Metcalf, Laremy Tunsil, and Robert Nkemdiche. You’ll also find the longtime Colonel Reb logo everywhere in The Grove, emblazoned on everything from tents to shirts. The real Colonel Reb mascot can also be seen walking around The Grove, taking pictures, and you will even find people dressed up as the Colonel.   Access   3 Getting to Oxford may seem fairly simple, although it might seem like kind of a rural drive to get here, as it is located about 25 miles from the closest interstate. If coming from the west, take I-55 until you get to Batesville, which is about an hour south of Memphis, then go east on Highway 278 for about 20 minutes, and you'll run right into campus. If coming from the east, the closest big city is Tupelo, about an hour away – from there, take Highway 278 west, and you'll find the university. Once in Oxford, due to the small size of the city and the limited parking, it can be quite hectic finding a place to park. To park anywhere close to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium or near The Grove, you are going to have to have an Ole Miss Athletic Foundation-issued parking pass – these are hard to get unless you are a season ticket holder or park of the Rebel Club. Instead, if coming to a game as a regular fan, there is one lot on campus called Insight Park near the soccer stadium. There is also parking at Oxford High School, a nearby shopping center, and at the local community college, where they’ll shuttle you over to campus if you park at any of these three. For non-conference games, parking is $35, while for big SEC contests, you’ll pay between $50 and $75. If parking at Insight Park, I recommend purchasing your parking pass in advance, as this lot sells out quickly. Once inside the stadium, with overfill capacity, you'll find moving around kind of difficult. Also, all the seats are bleacher seating, except for the south end zone, so you'll be kind of crammed in here. However, there is also a lack of ushers checking tickets, so you can move around.   Return on Investment   4 Coming to an Ole Miss game is an experience like no other and something all fans of college football should experience. Should you come to Oxford for the weekend, you will not be disappointed. The only drawback is the expensive parking and the somewhat expensive ticket prices – you get what you pay for, though, which is the only way to put it, as you are getting to see SEC football at its best and experiencing some of the best tailgating in all sports, here at an Ole Miss football game. For the beginning of the season non-conference games, you can get tickets for as little as $20 to $30. As the season progresses, however, ticket prices will fluctuate depending on how the team is doing, for example, for conference games, you may see tickets on the Ole Miss athletic site for between $50 and $60. This season, every game sold out by week 3, though, and so some conference games started selling on secondary sites for $200 to $300. If you come into Oxford for the weekend looking to stay the night, you better book your rooms well in advance – Oxford doesn't exactly have many hotels and the few they do have often sell out quickly or are really expensive during game weekends. Instead, I recommend staying about 25 minutes away in Batesville, where there are more and cheaper hotel options.   Extras   5 If you do happen to drive on campus, make sure you drive 18 mph, the official speed limit on campus. The reason is that # 18 was Archie Manning's number at Ole Miss; this is perhaps the only college in the country that has an official speed limit based on the number of a former player. One extra for The Grove, being the Holy Grail of Tailgating for College Football – this is one of the best experiences and atmospheres in all of sports. College GameDay even broadcast from The Grove in 2014 with Katy Perry as the guest picker. The Rebs upset # 3 Alabama  that day and rushed the field, after which the students, with Katy Perry in tow, then proceeded to carry the goalposts from the stadium to The Square (the goalposts ended up at the fraternity houses). Besides Ole Miss football, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has hosted the Mississippi High School Football Championships on two occasions (2017 and 2023). The facility has also hosted two concerts, one by Hardy in 2023 and one by Morgan Wallen in 2024. With a capacity of 64,038, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is the largest stadium in Mississippi – the extra 38 seats are in honor of Rebel star Chuck Mullins, who suffered a devastating injury in a 1989 game that left him a quadriplegic. Even though he would pass away in 1991, Mullins left a lasting impact on the Ole Miss community. The road to the west of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is named after Mullins, and every year, the football presents the Chucky Mullins Courage Award. As of this season, over 250 former Rebs have been drafted into the NFL, with 29 Ole Miss alums currently on active NFL rosters. Ole Miss has also produced 12 College Football Hall of Famers and 3 Pro Football Hall of Famers (Patrick Willis, Bruiser Kinard, and Gene Hickerson, as well as soon-to-be Eli Manning). The Conerly Trophy, given to the top football player in Mississippi, is also named after former Ole Miss quarterback Charlie Conerly – 11 former Rebels have won the prestigious award.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Cub Stadium 1600 E Tom Green St Brenham, TX 77833 Blinn Buccaneers website Cub Stadium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 6,494 Blinn Buccaneers – Cub Stadium Tucked away in the Brazos Valley area in east central Texas is the city of Brenham – the city and area are known for three things: being the home of Blue Bell Creameries , being the county seat of Washington County (credited as the birthplace  of the Republic of Texas), and being the home of the Blinn College Buccaneers . The school was founded in 1884 and began fielding a team on the gridiron in 1903. As members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the Buccaneers have won the fourth most national championships in history – Blinn wore the crown in 1995, 1996, 2006, and 2009, and during the run to their last title, they were quarterbacked by former NFL great Cam Newton . The school has also sent countless players to big-time college football programs, and many have gone on to the NFL. A small sample of players that have donned the blue and white of the Buccaneers (aside from Newton) include College Football Hall of Famer Michael Bishop , former All-American Dede Westbrook , and former Super Bowl Champions Quincy Morgan  and Eric Brown . Since the late 1980s, the team has shared a stadium with the Brenham High School Cubs, who are themselves a dynastic power in the state of Texas. This is a special place, so please read on to learn more about it.   Food & Beverage   3 As this is a high school and junior college facility, I would go in with tempered expectations for food and beverage options. However, what Cub Stadium does provide is pretty darn good. There is one central concession stand located near the north end zone, where you can get all your traditional game day favorites, such as hot dogs (from Sonic Drive-In , no less), nachos, chips, bottled sodas, sports drinks, and water; all of those are very  reasonably priced. The key thing Cub Stadium offers that other venues should copy, however, is their “Buccaneer Meal” – this combo allows you to choose a hamburger, two-piece chicken strips from Texas favorite Bush’s Chicken , or the aforementioned Sonic offering (plain or with chili and cheese), along with chips and a drink for $10. Fans can also purchase snow cones and ice cream sandwiches, which pair perfectly with the early-season weather in this part of Texas during the early months of the season. Lastly, two more points that fans should be aware of before heading to a Blinn game – first, since this is a high school venue, alcohol is not available, and second, cash is still an acceptable form of currency to purchase your food and beverages at Cub Stadium, which is nice.   Atmosphere   2 Since Blinn shares the facility with Brenham High School, there are considerably more accouterments for the regulars than for the Buccaneers (it is named Cub Stadium, after all). The large sign on the press box reads “Welcome to the Prideland” and denotes the Cub's state playoff successes. There is also a Walk of Champions, highlighting Brenham's successes, leading from the clubhouse to the field. With that said, Blinn does what it can to make the stadium their own on game nights. There are signs and banners with Buccaneer imagery throughout the home team stand, and there is also a merchandise stand near the home team entrance for fans looking to pick up some Blinn merchandise. Overall, the atmosphere is greatly helped by the large and devoted fan base that attends games; more on them here shortly.   Neighborhood   3 Cub Stadium is located in the middle of a residential area in Brenham. With that in mind, there aren’t any attractions, restaurants, or lodging options in the immediate vicinity. However, as this is a smaller town, you won’t be very far from the stadium. In terms of attractions, it all starts with Blue Bell  – you can visit the creamery Monday through Friday. A visit will allow you to see how the beloved Texas institution is made, taste some samples, and visit the ice cream parlor to get access to even more of their tasty creations. If you are a history buff and are looking to understand a little more about the history of the region and its importance to Texas history, the Star of the Republic Museum  is located on Blinn’s campus. Its mission is to gather and interpret history and artifacts related to this chapter in Texas history. While currently closed for renovations, it should be a stop when it reopens in 2025. Dining options abound in Brenham – a couple of options worth a stop include Pioneer Smokehouse  and Weikel’s Bakery . The smokehouse is housed in an old train depot, which adds to its ambiance, but it’s the food that is the main draw. Serving all the Texas barbecue hits, the Smokehouse is renowned for its brisket and sausage. Weikel’s Bakery, which has multiple locations in towns around Brenham, specializes in a delicious treat that has become legendary in Texas: the kolache. Fruit and/or fruit and cream fill these sweet treats that are great for breakfast, dessert, or whenever, really. Weikel’s has won numerous awards over the years for theirs, so don’t miss a chance to try them. Lodging options are plentiful in Brenham, but not really near the stadium Your closest options are going to be Far View Bed & Breakfast Inn  and Coach Light Inn Brenham . There are numerous other options, though; you are only going to be limited by your budget.   Fans   4 Attendance figures for Buccaneers games aren’t available anywhere, so what I have to offer up is purely anecdotal. What I can say about the most recent game I attended was that the home team stands were filled, and the vast majority were wearing Buccaneers gear. The fans at this game were also vocal and truly supported their Bucs. I was greatly impressed by what I experienced. There is a lot to be said about being the proverbial only game in town – it lends to the atmosphere and increases the loyalty of the fan base, especially for a college team.   Access   2 Brenham is in one of the weird pockets of Texas that is not close to any of the major metro areas. Cub Stadium, for example, is an hour and a half drive from Austin and just over an hour from both Houston and Bryan/College Station. It’s going to take some effort to get to a Blinn Buccaneers game. If you’re coming in from outside the state, your best bet is probably going to be flying into and out of Houston and then driving the rest of the way. There isn’t much in the way of public transportation in Brenham if you don’t want to drive, but ridesharing is still an option. Once you get to Cub Stadium, however, parking is plentiful.   Return on Investment   4 Alright, there is no other way to say it, but Blinn Buccaneers games at Cub Stadium are a bargain, like finding a diamond ring at a dollar store kind of bargain. Tickets for Bucs games are a paltry $5 per person, and parking will only set you back $0 – yes, free parking. For a team that competes in the postseason on an annual basis, you truly cannot beat that price. When you couple this with the affordable prices at the concessions, Cub Stadium offers fans a great way to experience college football in a fun and historic setting while watching a historically great program in a way that won’t break the bank.   Extras   3 Blinn offers up most of the traditional ceremony involved in college sports – the cheer squad  can be found on the sidelines firing up the crowd and giving a hearty “Aar!” (like the way a pirate talks) after each Blinn first down. The Buccaneer Band  can also be heard playing before games, during breaks in the action, and at halftime. Also, the dance team – the Treasures  – can be counted on to add to the entertainment and game day experience. Beyond that, the rest of the action and entertainment can be found on the field.   Final Thoughts This was my first visit to Blinn, but I can assure you it won’t be the last. This was college football at its most pure, in a setting that I am imminently familiar with. While I’d never been to Cub Stadium before, it felt like I had, and that was serenely comforting. If you’re a sports fan, I’m confident you’ll come away feeling the same. While it may take some effort to get here, I would encourage you to add the Blinn Buccaneers to your bucket list – I’m confident you’ll enjoy yourself the way I did. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 William H. Greene Stadium 2400 6th St NW Washington, DC 20059 Howard Bison website William H. Greene Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 10,000 Northwest D. C. The Howard Bison are one of two FCS football teams that play in Washington, D. C., the other being the Georgetown Hoyas . Howard plays its home football games at Greene Stadium, which opened in 1926 and is also used for Bison lacrosse and soccer matches. The facility seats 10,000 for football in bleacher seating on three sides of the field – there is also field-level seating behind the north end zone, under a large white tent, for special guests. Greene Stadium is named after a local physician and benefactor of Howard University. The staff does try to put on a good show for football games here, but there aren’t very many fans who show up.   Food & Beverage   2 Greene Stadium doesn’t have any fixed concession stands, but they do bring in food trucks on the west side of the field. The different food trucks offer such items as burgers, hibachi, funnel cake, fried Oreos, fried fish, fried shrimp, ribs, and wings, along with French fries and a few drink selections, such as lemonade, bottled water, and Gatorade. The prices are on the high side, and unfortunately, the food trucks are located behind the visitor stands – the venue is not large by any means, so it is not a long walk, but your best bet is to get your food and drinks as you enter (all the entrances area on the west side), before walking around to the home side to find your seats (assuming you are not here to cheer on the opposing team, of course).   Atmosphere   3 Greene Stadium has a lively atmosphere, with lots of fun music piped in – the kind people like to dance to with heavy, loud beats. The band also does a great job entertaining fans, as do the cheerleaders; the performance at halftime is especially superb, accompanied by strutting drum majors, the dance team, and colorful banners lofted high. During my most recent visit, an October game included a tribute to cancer survivors. There is a large video board behind the north end zone, which works fine for replays, as most of the seats are on the other three sides of the field. The home stands (east side) are next to the reservoir and do offer chairback seats in the middle section – all of the other seating in Greene Stadium are metal bleachers without backs. The turf field boasts some very sharp Howard logos in dark blue with red trim, and the PA announcer is very passionate – when he announces first downs, his exuberance is accompanied by laser tag-esque electronic sounds. There is not a lot of shade, however, except in the last few rows on the home side, directly in front of the press box (although the sun sets facing the home side since the home seating is on the east, so you may have the sun in your eyes toward the end of the game.   Neighborhood   4 Howard itself is located in a run-down part of Washington, D. C., where you might not necessarily feel safe walking around at night. During the football game, there are plenty of police officers around, however, so there shouldn’t be any issues around game time. That said, there isn’t much to see and do in the immediate area, with no hotels to speak of and only a few quick-service restaurants. However, there is, of course, plenty to see and do nearer the Capitol, about 2-3 miles away, with all the monuments, museums, and other attractions, including the Wizards , Capitals , and Nationals  if you can swing a sports doubleheader while in town. There are also hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hotels and restaurants in and around Washington, D. C. – your choice there solely depends on how close you want to be to the action and how much money you want to spend, as the two are closely related.   Fans   3 Not many fans attend Howard football games at Greene Stadium, so the stands can look pretty empty, depending, of course, on how the Bison are playing at that point in the season. In fact, for many games, you might see more visiting fans on the west side than there are home fans on the east. The band and student section sits on the south end of the field – the student section at times is practically non-existent over there, with only 2-3 dozen fans visible next to the band.   Access   3 There is no real parking at Greene Stadium – you can park along the nearby streets, although the signs are confusing. In certain places where you can park on a normal day, it is blocked off, and some of the signs say you can park for four hours, but the meter only allows you to pay for two. A pay lot would be welcome, but I wasn’t able to find any after twenty minutes of driving around. The lack of parking also means a potentially long walk up to the stadium, and the entry once you get there is confusing as well. Tickets and will call are located in the gymnasium on 6th and Girard, but some of the streets are blocked off, so you may have to walk around if you are coming from the south. There are two entrances into the venue, one on the north and one on the south, which, as mentioned, are next to the visiting stands and food trucks.   Return on Investment    3 General admission tickets are $35 if you buy beforehand, but they add $10 to the price if you buy on the day of. That makes for a pretty pricey ticket to get into the game, not to mention the high food truck concession prices. On the plus side, you may be able to park for free, but that is a little risky, given the signage. All of that said, I am not sure it is worthwhile to come to see a game here – the stadium itself is decent and seems modern enough, and there are some fun elements, but they do come at a price.   Extras   2 Greene Stadium does have a small team gear stand next to the entrance on the southwest side. You also can get close to the action here, as you have to walk around right next to the field to get to your seats if you are sitting on the south or east (home) side. The Bison also boasts a fully-costumed mascot wearing a buffalo head, jersey, and camouflage pants.   Final Thoughts Greene Stadium is perfectly fine as smaller football stadiums go, but it is a little challenging in terms of access and maybe also in terms of the concession options. If you really love football, this is an okay way to spend an afternoon – just mind the lack of shade if you are coming for a day game. Otherwise, this might be one you save for when your favorite team is coming to play in D.C.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Arute Field 1615 Stanley St New Britain, CT 06050 Central Connecticut State Blue Devils website Arute Field website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 5,500 Devil of a Time at Arute Field   Central Connecticut State University is the state’s oldest publicly funded university. Founded in 1849 as the State Normal School, CCSU has grown to an enrollment of almost 9,000 students. Today, students at CCSU pursue their degrees in four schools under the University umbrella. 96% of the school’s enrollment comes from Connecticut. Approximately half of CCSU’s students live off campus.   Jack Arute Sr. was the owner of one of Connecticut’s largest construction firms in the 1960s. He was also an active member of the New Britain community and became one of CCSU’s biggest boosters through interactions with school administration. Upset that the state government would not approve funding for a new football stadium, Arute took matters into his own hands, using his funds and manpower to build the original Arute Field. The present incarnation of Arute Field is the third stadium to bear his name. All three versions have been located on campus.   Central Connecticut fielded its first football team in 1935. Since 1993, the team has competed in the FCS subdivision and as a member of the Northeast Conference since 1996. The team has won six conference championships since joining the NEC. The Blue Devils have qualified for the NCAA tournament twice, losing in the first round in 2017 and 2019. One Central Connecticut alumnus, Joe Costello, has played in the National Football League.   Food & Beverage 2   There is one concession stand on the outer concourse of Arute Field. It offers a basic menu featuring hot dogs, burgers, and nachos. A variety of snacks are also available, including pretzels, chips, and assorted candy.   Pepsi products are sold at Arute Field. On chilly fall days, coffee and hot chocolate are popular choices. Alcoholic beverages are not offered at this on-campus facility.   Atmosphere 3   While the game day atmosphere at Arute Field will never be confused with the show put on in the Power Five conferences, Blue Devils staff and fans combine to make this a fun place to spend a fall Saturday afternoon.   Sections of the parking lot adjacent to the facility are set aside for tailgating, and Blue Devil fans fill these spots with grills, music, and décor. You’re likely to run into CCSU’s mascot, Kizer, who roams the facility throughout the afternoon. CCSU boasts an impressively large cheer squad, who set up shop on the near sideline and perform along with the school’s pep band and dance squad.   Blue Devil fans routinely fill the stands and are active throughout the game, adding to the festive atmosphere. There is a good sound system, with a PA announcer who adds game information along with the scoreboard located in the north end zone. Unfortunately, the scoreboard’s video board is only used sparingly and not for video replay. Banners honoring CCSU’s conference championships are posted on the façade of the grandstand at field level. Unfortunately, this makes them invisible to most fans in the stadium. Neighborhood 3     Central Connecticut State University is located in a residential neighborhood on the northeastern edge of New Britain, a suburban city of 73,000 people located 12 miles from Hartford, Connecticut. Arute Field is located on the eastern edge of campus, directly off Route 9. All of Central Connecticut’s athletic facilities, including the CCSU Baseball Field  and the William H. Detrick Gymnasium , are located nearby.   There are not many choices for dining or lodging immediately adjacent to Arute Field, but there is great diversity within a few miles of campus. Fans wanting a unique experience before or after a CCSU game should check out the East Side Restaurant, a German-themed pub complete with staff in traditional Bavarian gear and all the bratwurst you could desire.   For a twist on a traditional American dish, visit Ted’s Restaurant in nearby Meriden. Their method of cooking hamburgers in steam trays is unique to central Connecticut , and Ted’s has been featured on several travel shows such as Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.   Lodging options are plentiful in nearby Farmington. Connecticut’s capital city, Hartford, is a short fifteen-minute drive from Central Connecticut’s campus and offers additional dining, lodging, and entertainment options. If time allows, the National Iwo Jima Memorial is located just beyond CCSU's athletic fields on Ella Grasso Boulevard.   Fans 3   Central Connecticut averages around 3,500 fans per game, which is significantly above the Northeast Conference average. This figure has remained fairly consistent over the years, both before and after the pandemic. Stadium Journey visited Arute Field on a gorgeous October Saturday, with an announced attendance of about 3,200 fans. As mentioned before, fans at Arute Field are enthusiastic and vocal about the action going on down on the field.   While a good number of students turn out for Blue Devils games, they spread out throughout the stadium and don’t add a ton of energy to the festivities. They tend to blend in with the rest of the fans here. With many of Central Connecticut’s opponents located nearby, a good turnout from visiting fans can be expected.   Access 4     New Britain is located about a 15-minute drive from Hartford. Route 9 passes directly by the campus, connecting with interstates 84 and 91, a few miles away. With its suburban location, the great majority of fans drive to Central Connecticut. The parking lot directly adjacent to Arute Field is large enough for typical game day crowds. Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that CTTransit’s 128 and 144 buses access the campus on Stanley Street.   There is a spacious concourse located on the back side of the press box building, where the concessions and bathrooms are located. Restrooms are spacious and clean, and lines move quickly, even at halftime. Wide vomitories and walkways allow fans to access all parts of the facility, although fans will have to navigate stairs to access the visiting (west) side of the stadium. A standing room is available beyond both end zones.   Arute Field consists of two sets of grandstands. The east (home) grandstand is the larger of the two and is built into a hill. The first row is raised about ten feet above field level, ensuring excellent views from all seats. All seating consists of metal bleachers. General admission seats are located in the front rows of the grandstand due to the wide walkway in front of the seating area. It is recommended you choose a seat a few rows up from the front to avoid the distraction of the passing traffic that may disrupt your view at times. The top rows on the home grandstand consist of metal bleacher seating with seat backs and armrests, which are sold as reserved seating. Handicapped seating is located at the top of every section. Restroom facilities can be found on both sides of Arute Field.   Return on Investment 5   Tickets to Blue Devils games at Arute Field are an absolute bargain. Reserved chairback seats can be purchased for ten dollars, with general admission bleacher seating priced at eight dollars. Seniors and kids are admitted for just five dollars.   Parking is free in the lot adjacent to Arute Field. Concessions are also inexpensive, with all items priced less than $6. You can go to a Blue Devils game with a twenty-dollar bill and come home with something still in your pocket.   Extras 1   An extra point is awarded for the Blue Devils’ unique mascot, Kizer. He is named in honor of Harrison Kaiser, the “father of CCSU athletics.” Kaiser was the first coach of the CCSU football team, serving in that capacity from 1935-1947.                                                               Final Thoughts   Arute Field boasts a festive game day atmosphere, which belies its small size and simple design. Fans looking for a place to catch some quality football in an affordable setting should check out Central Connecticut State University, another quality under the radar, Stadium Journey.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 McCarthy Stadium 1900 W Olney Ave Philadelphia, PA 19141 La Salle Explorers website McCarthy Stadium website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,500 Home of the La Salle Explorers La Salle University is a Roman Catholic university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. La Salle first admitted women students in 1970, becoming a fully co-educational institution. Sports teams at La Salle are named the Explorers. The name derives from a 1931 mistake made by a local sportswriter. The writer thought the university was named after the French explorer Sieur de La Salle, when in fact it is named after St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. The students loved the mistake so much they adopted it in 1932. La Salle's soccer teams play their home games at McCarthy Stadium, which opened way back in 1936 and was once home to the Explorers' football program as well until it was discontinued in 2007. The stadium seats 7,500 fans, although not all seats are available for soccer. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions for sale at McCarthy Stadium, though fans are free to bring their own. Do not be fooled by the university food truck that may be parked at the stadium. McCarthy Stadium is located next to the Dining Services department, and this is where the truck is parked when not in use. Atmosphere 2 McCarthy Stadium is a giant 7,500 seat behemoth, far bigger than most other college soccer stadiums, and features large sets of bleachers on each side of the field, although only one set is open for a typical game. Even so, this is still far too big for the crowds the Explorers draw. Fans will be spread out throughout the huge area, which really hurts the atmosphere here. A running track also surrounds the field, further increasing the distance that fans are from the action. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. A scoreboard shows only the basic information, but other than pregame player introductions, the focus here is on the match. Some will like that, while others will find it boring. Neighborhood 3 McCarthy Stadium is not located in the best part of Philadelphia. While safety is not an issue at the stadium itself, as there is enough security to ensure that, you may not want to wander too far away. The Treetops Cafe and La Salle Art Museum are located within the same campus complex as McCarthy Stadium, so you should encounter no issue going there, but your best bet is to head elsewhere in Philadelphia, like Center City, where you will find far more options. Fans 3 La Salle will draw about one hundred to two hundred fans to a typical soccer game. This includes both friends and family of the players and the occasional local. If playing a fellow Big 5 school from Philadelphia like conference rival St. Joseph's, expect a lot of visiting fans to show up as well. Unfortunately, the fans are far too spread out through the giant bleachers to make much of an impact, and that does bring this ranking down. The fans who do show up are passionate, with loud cheering and even flag-waving, but the cavernous size of the stadium means they don't have as much of an impact as the might in a more intimate setting. Access 4 McCarthy Stadium is located a few miles from I-76 and I-95, and is not too difficult to access from there if you know where to go. You will need to enter the campus through the gate at 1825 Lindley Avenue. After stopping at the security gate, tell the guard you are there for the soccer game, then head all the way to the back of the lot to park there. McCarthy Stadium is a short walk away, up a flight of stairs and past the baseball stadium. Some GPS systems will have you try to enter off of 20th Street, but you can't park in that lot unless you are gameday personnel, so you will be asked to turn around and enter off of Lindley. The Wister station on the Chestnut Hill SEPTA regional rail line is about a 10-15 minute walk from the stadium as well, although this will not take you through the best neighborhoods. As mentioned above, one set of bleachers is closed on matchday. This is the set nearest the parking lot entrance, so you will have to walk around to the other side. Return on Investment 4 La Salle soccer games are free to attend. Parking is also free, despite being in a large city. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Note that there may be a charge for admission to Atlantic 10 or NCAA tournament games, as those have different ticketing policies than the regular season. Extras 1 Look for the plaque by the entrance honoring stadium namesake John A. McCarthy. Final Thoughts McCarthy Stadium is a college soccer stadium that is far bigger than it needs to be. If the giant bleachers were ever close to full, the atmosphere here could be amazing. Unfortunately, they are not, and having stands that are less than 10% full just isn't conducive to a good soccer game experience.

Photos by Lance Sutehall and Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Louis Crews Stadium 4200 Memorial Pkwy NW Huntsville, AL 35210 Alabama A&M Bulldogs website Louis Crews Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 21,000 These Dogs Bark And Bite Alabama A&M is a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in Huntsville, Alabama. Founded in 1875, the school had an enrollment of over 6,600 students in the Fall 2023 semester. The Bulldogs athletic teams have competed in the Football Championship Subdivision’s (FCS) Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) since 1998. Before becoming a Division One program, the Bulldogs competed in Division Two’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The Bulldogs have won fourteen conference titles, including twelve SIAC championships and the SWAC in 2006 and 2020. The Bulldogs claimed the 2020 Black College Football National Championship as that team went undefeated that season. Alabama A&M’s biggest rival is the Alabama State Hornets, located down I-65 in Montgomery. Those teams play each other in the annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field in Birmingham. Their other big in-state rival is the Tuskegee Golden Tigers from when A&M was a Division Two program, but since the Bulldogs moved up to Division One, matchups between Tuskegee and A&M have not been as frequent. However, they met up in 2023 and set the record for the largest crowd at Lewis Crews Stadium with 26,391 in attendance. Food & Beverage 3 There is a lot of great food on Bulldog game days… at the pregame tailgate. Inside the stadium, the options are somewhat limited, with the offerings including hot dogs ($3), polish sausages ($5), popcorn ($3), peanuts ($3), nachos ($4), dill pickles ($2), and candy ($3). Beverages include Coca-Cola brand bottled sodas ($4), Dasani water ($4), and Minute Maid frozen treats ($3). There are alcohol stands that sell various beers ($5-$7). As of the writing of this article, the concession stands accept cards and cash, but starting in 2025, Alabama A&M athletic events will become cashless. Atmosphere 4 Bulldog game days start with pregame tailgating at the George E. Jones Tailgate Plaza. There will be many tents and cookouts many hours before toe meets the leather on the gridiron. As the time gets closer to kickoff, bulldog paws are on the road leading you toward Louis Crews Stadium. After passing the security checkpoint, there are several tents with Bulldogs merchandise before entering the concourse below the bleachers. Upon entering the concourse, there is an elevator to the executive suites and press box with a bust of Louis Crews, the head coach of the Bulldogs from 1960-1975, as well as a plaque commemorating John Stallworth. There are three concession stands throughout the main concourse and another one by the opposing smaller stand. The columns that hold up the bleachers commemorate members of the Alabama A&M Athletic Hall of Fame. There are two sets of bleachers, with the main home stand seating 14,000 people while a 7,000-seat stand sits on the other side. The football field is surrounded by a running track with a video scoreboard by one end zone and the George Hobson Field House near the other. The football field has the Alabama A&M logo at midfield with a bulldog shaded in the turf if you look close enough. About an hour before kickoff, the Maroon & White Band marches into the stadium on the track by the scoreboard. The band plays music, the Dancin’ Divas strut in, and the cheerleaders get the crowd going. The football team comes out of the field house and enters the playing field through an inflatable helmet and pyro show. Fireworks went off every time the Bulldogs scored a touchdown, and there was a stadium-wide firework show at the end of the third quarter (I attended the Homecoming Game, but I can’t confirm if this occurs every game). Neighborhood 3 The immediate vicinity of the Alabama A&M campus does not have a lot of attractions for visiting tourists. To get the most out of a visit to Huntsville, I would recommend venturing a few miles south and visiting attractions such as the Huntsville Depot Museum, Huntsville Museum of Art, and Big Spring International Park. It is recommended to travel a few more miles west and stop by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Dining options in downtown Huntsville include Catch 25 Seafood & Brewery, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, and Melt Huntsville for comfort food. Hotel chains include Hampton Inn, SpringHill Suites, and Embassy Suites. Fans 3 The fans arrive early for the pregame tailgate with great food, good vibes, and unwavering support for the Bulldogs. Most of the fans are either proud Alumni of Alabama A&M or students currently attending the university. Alabama A&M has had success marketing itself as the only D1 program in the quickly growing Huntsville area, and there are youth and church groups in attendance as well. The Maroon and White Band sets the tone for the crowd while the cheerleaders and Dancin’ Divas help raise the energy. Access 4 From I-65, turn off on I-565 and drive until you reach Exit 19B, where you make a left onto Highway 431. Keep driving, and the campus of Alabama A&M will be on your right. From the tailgating area, follow the paws on the road to get to the stadium, and the venue is easy enough to walk around. The lines for the concessions are not long, and there are enough restrooms throughout the concourse. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets for Alabama A&M games are $35, while reserved seats at midfield are $45. Children’s tickets are only $15. Parking costs between $15-$30, so an individual can expect to pay $60, while a date will run over $100, and a family of four will drop around $150. Tickets for Alabama A&M games are more expensive than UAB or Jacksonville State but cheaper than Alabama State games. Extras 4 Alabama A&M has had 16 players play on Sundays in the NFL, including Robert Mathis and John Stallworth. The aforementioned players have had their numbers retired by Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs play the Alabama State Hornets in the annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field in Birmingham. This game is the biggest of the season for the Bulldogs and a chance to connect with the alumni of the other school. As is the case with other HBCUs, the Maroon and White band puts on an amazing halftime performance and performs throughout the game. Their performance is seen as the highlight of a Bulldog game day by many fans. Alabama A&M’s Homecoming weekend is a big deal as there is a party on the campus for the whole week. There will be many fans tailgating who do not go inside the stadium for the game, but they are part of the Homecoming festivities. Final Thoughts Alabama A&M has a unique and exciting game day experience. The tailgating scene before the game and the Maroon & White band’s halftime show are both amazing experiences. Alabama A&M knows how game day is supposed to be done.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Knight Stadium Buena Vista, VA 24416 Southern Virginia Knights website Knight Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 1,000 Knights of the Virginia Table Southern Virginia football’s Knight Stadium is not large by any means, but it has some modern touches that many sports facilities its size cannot boast. The facility is also used by the school’s lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer teams and boasts a wide concourse, a fabulous statue of a knight on horseback, and a decent concessions menu – the only modern touch lacking is a video scoreboard.   Food & Beverage   3 The food & beverage menu at the concession stand here is not wide, but it does have plenty of options to get you through a game. The burgers are quite tasty despite being pre-made, which makes them able to be served over to you in seconds – they come wrapped in aluminum foil, and there is no loss of flavor whatsoever from being made in advance.  Both hamburgers and cheeseburgers are available for the same cost of $5. Besides the burgers, you can find hot dogs for $3 and chicken tenders (with fries) for $7, along with fries by themselves, nachos, popcorn, chips, and candy, all ranging from $2.50 (chips) to $5 (nachos w/ chili & cheese). There are also bottled Dr Pepper and Pepsi products for $3.50 or bottled water for $3. While there is nothing over the top, the prices are good, and there are more than enough options.   Atmosphere   3 While there is no mascot here, there is a great statue on the concourse of a knight with an exceedingly long lance, shining in the sun due to the material it is made from. You will also find a few fans sitting on its base during the game to get a little shade. The Knights do have a small band that performs during the game, and at half-time, fans are also entertained by the school’s dance team, which, for some games, is joined by junior dancers (little kids) from the local area. There is also a small team gear tent on the concourse near the concession stand. While there aren’t any other amenities to speak of, the stadium still feels new, and the scenery of the nearby hills is quite nice.   Neighborhood   2 Buena Vista is located in what might be called a small valley nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains – there are a few fast food restaurants and pizza places in town, but no hotels or major attractions to speak of unless you travel about 10 miles to the west, along the I-81 corridor. You will have to travel along some winding mountain roads to get here, and you will feel how rural it is. In terms of attractions, there are some scenic overlooks nearby and, of course, hiking trails through the Blue Ridge Mountains, but not a lot else to do if you come in for the day or the weekend. You might check the school’s other sports schedules, however, to see if you can take in another game while you are in town.   Fans   2 There aren’t a lot of fans here, but they are very nice, and you will see a lot of them in team gear. They tend to cheer loudly at the right times and seem to be enjoying themselves, even if the score is not exactly going their way.   Access   3 I will start with a couple of positives in terms of access – first, you can park right next to the field, second, you can sit wherever you want, and third, there is plenty of room to move around the concourse. When you arrive, the parking attendant will ask if you are there for the home or visiting team; if you say visiting team, you will have to park a little further away, but it is not a long walk, while if you say home team, you can park right next to the stadium. And since they don’t sell tickets (at least they didn’t when I was there last), you can sit wherever you want, even in the few rows of chairback seats in the upper middle part of the stands. The chairbacks are a nice option, as they are more comfortable than sitting on the metal bleachers, and they also get a little more shade, being in the shadows of the press box. As for the negatives, the parking next to the stadium is on pock-marked grass, not real cement nor asphalt, so it can be a little rough on your car – an SUV would come in handy here. Also, the fact that Buena Vista is a little off the beaten path means that Southern Virginia football isn’t the easiest sporting event to get to.   Return on Investment   3 On my most recent visit, I paid $20 for parking, which seems high, but I didn’t have to pay for a game ticket either – I think this is an interesting strategy, and I wonder if a per-car approach to payment might be a good idea for other schools to adopt. It certainly makes it easier in terms of logistics since it eliminates lines at the gate and would create more of a bargain for those willing to carpool. On the downside, the lack of a video board means you can’t watch the replays if you happen to miss something, so I am a little torn – it is a nice facility, being only a few years old, and you can get really close to the action here, but there isn’t much in the way of amenities. Therefore, Knight Stadium may be one you save for when your team is playing in Buena Vista.   Extras   2 Except for the statue of the knight, there aren’t really any amenities to speak of – they do have the band and dance team, which is nice, but no giveaways or contests on the field as you might see at other sporting events.   Final Thoughts Attending a Southern Virginia football game at Knight Stadium is a pleasant enough experience, but it is more about the game on the field than the other festivities you might be used to at a sporting event. Still, it won’t cost you a lot, and the scenery is very nice, so coming to Buena Vista isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Rice Stadium 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005 Rice Owls website Rice Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 37,000 Rice Owls – Rice Stadium Rice University first fielded a football team way back in 1912. As members of the Southwest Conference back in its heyday, the Rice Owls  became a regional powerhouse through the 1960s, winning conference titles in 1934, 1937, 1946, 1949, 1953, and 1957. Along the way, all-time greats such as Weldon Humble , Tommy Kramer , and Bill Wallace  suited up for the Owls and helped lead them to glory. Since 1950, historic Rice Stadium has been the home field for the Owls. Built right on campus, the venerable venue has been the home of Rice football and the Houston Cougars, the NFL’s Houston Oilers, and was the site of the Bluebonnet Bowl from 1959-1967 and again from 1985-1986. It was also the venue for Super Bowl VIII, which saw the Miami Dolphins repeat as champions in a victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In 1962, Rice Stadium was the host for one of President John F. Kennedy’s most famous speeches , one which would kick off the United States’ mission to land a man on the moon. Rice Stadium has maintained much of its classic look and feel for the past 70-plus years. Read on to learn what continues to make Rice Stadium one of the great venues in Texas college football.   Food & Beverage   3 Rice Stadium has gone to a full grab-and-go operation for their two main concession stands this season. Fans can pick up their burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, bottled sodas, etc., at these stands – one each on the home and visitor sides of the stadium. Chick-fil-A provides a pared-down menu of its offerings at these stands; you can get chicken sandwiches, chips, and lemonade there. I’m a fan, so this is a real bonus for me. Other amenities include a Kona Ice truck parked on the concourse, near an entrance on the home team’s side. You can also find a Dippin’ Dots stand as well as one for Doc Popcorn , which offers up what I feel is the best popcorn you can find. There are also freestanding beer kiosks throughout the stadium. Everything offered up is good; it’s not flashy, but it’s good. My one complaint is that, by halftime, the grab-and-go stands on the visitor’s side were virtually picked clean. So, consider that on your visit.   Atmosphere   2 Rice has done a few things over the years to upgrade the atmosphere at Rice Stadium. The team’s training facility, the Brian Patterson Center, is a great backdrop for the action in the south end zone. Rice also upgraded its team store, located on the home team side concourse, so that fans can purchase even more merchandise than in the past. Across the upper bowl of the stadium, you’ll find the names of some of Rice’s all-time great players and coaches, such as Jess Neely , King Hill , Jarett Dillard , and John Heisman  – yes, that Heisman. The ring also highlights their Bowl game appearances, while the team’s conference championships are highlighted on the press box above the home team stands. The stadium still looks like one built in the 1950s, however – the vast majority of seats are either metal bleachers (you can rent a folding seatback chair for $10 apiece) or concrete bleachers, such as in the general admission stands in each end zone. If you’re into nostalgia, that’s fun; if you’re not, it can get uncomfortable after a while.   Neighborhood   5 Rice University and Rice Stadium are set in the picturesque and eponymously named Rice Village neighborhood. Quite frankly, this is my favorite area in Houston; it feels separated and self-contained, away from the rest of the busyness of Space City. Rice Stadium is on the university campus and is near both Tudor Fieldhouse , home of Rice basketball, and Reckling Park , home of Rice baseball. If you plan your visit right, you might be able to catch another game during your visit. As Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the country, it comes as no surprise that it’s a haven for sports fans. The NFL , NBA , MLB , and MLS all have franchises in the city, as well as the NWSL , MiLB , UFL , and no less than four other Division I college programs in the University of Houston , Houston Christian University , Prairie View A&M University , and Texas Southern University . As I said, if you’re a sports fan, Houston is going to be a playground for you. If you’re looking for other things to do besides sports, Houston has you covered. If you’re coming with a family, I would highly recommend taking a tour of NASA’s Space Center Houston  – this is where America’s space program was ostensibly born, and the tours are full of activities for the entire family. I would also recommend Houston Zoo , which is annually recognized as one of the best in the nation. For dining options, Houston has an abundance; it all depends on what you’re in the mood for. High-end steakhouses, old-school barbecue joints, authentic Chinese, and legitimate Tex-Mex are all on the menu. A few of my Houston favorites include Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen , which is exactly how you would imagine it to be. It’s a restaurant pulled straight from central casting, complete with over-the-top deli sandwiches, matza ball soup, and black and white cookies. I also highly recommend a visit to Lankford’s Grocery & Market  – this former corner store serves up Guy Fieri-approved burgers and sandwiches, and it is legit. Lodging options follow the same advice as dining; options abound, and you’re only limited by your budget. There aren’t any hotels within walking distance of Rice Stadium (unless you’re going with the vacation rental option); however, not too far from the stadium are Houston Hilton Plaza/Medical Center  and Hyatt Place Houston Medical Center .   Fans   2 Attendance figures will show that Rice averages around 19,000 fans per game, and the ones who do show up regularly sport the Owls blue and gray. This level of attendance places Rice third among the Group of 5 teams in Texas. However, because of how vast Rice Stadium is, even 20,000 fans make it feel like closer to around 9,000 or 10,000. The visiting side stands are routinely filled in the lower bowl – this has something to do with a combination of Rice’s performance over the years, its overall size as a university, and the number of other things there are to do in Houston. I’m not sure if anything other than a return to its pre-World War II era level of success would change things, but that seems unlikely in the current college landscape.   Access   3 The Rice campus and its athletics facilities are located near the Museum District of Houston, which is near downtown and is one of the highest-trafficked areas in Space City. The Rice Village neighborhood and the campus are sandwiched between two of the major highways that run through the city, Highways 69 and 610, respectively. The exit off Highway 69 for Rice University is marked, and the stadium is off University Blvd and Rice Blvd, so it is easy to find. I have written a lot over the years about the traffic situation in Houston, so I won’t belabor the point here, but I will just emphasize that it is bad, and you will be stuck in it. As an example, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which is a major hub, is 24 miles away from Rice Stadium, but you can plan on a drive from there taking upwards of an hour. As always, plan accordingly. Once onsite, parking for Rice Stadium is plentiful and affordable; more on that next.   Return on Investment   4 Single-game tickets for Rice Owls home games start at $25 per person, which is still a bargain for an FBS-level program. Playing in the American, which is arguably the best Group of 5 conference, the Owls bring in some quality conference opponents for their home games and will traditionally bring in a good opponent or two for their non-conference games. Quite frankly, you’ll probably be able to adjust your seats at some point. Parking at Rice Stadium is also on the affordable side, as most lots – even those close to the stadium – will set you back just $10, and there are even more affordable spots if you choose to park farther away from the campus. The one issue that keeps this ROI score from being higher is the concession costs. They were a little steeper than I was expecting; however, the lower costs for everything else balance this out for the most part.   Extras   3 Rice brings out a lot of the traditional pageantry that is expected with college football. The Rice Dance Owls Team performs during breaks in the action, and the Rice Cheerleaders  perform on the sidelines throughout the game. The main draw, however, is the Marching Owl Band, aka the MOB . Dressed like extras from The Blues Brothers, the MOB is known for its irreverent performances and unique halftime shows. The Owls also fire off fireworks over the roof of the Patterson Center for every Rice score, which is always fun. I know Rice also has a mascot, Sammy the Owl , but he has been conspicuously absent in recent years from football games.   Final Thoughts I have been to a ton of games at Rice Stadium over the years. For me, it’s a nostalgic trip every time I head there – the venue has so much history to it, which is the draw. For what it lacks in modern-day amenities, it more than makes up for in gravitas. On the surface, Rice Stadium shows its age. However, if you want to see a game at the field where Earl Campbell and Mike Singletary played, this is the place. It’s the same field where the Miami Dolphins last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy and where America entered the Space Race. History abounds here, so go see a game at Rice Stadium when you can, but rent one of their seatbacks; you won’t regret it. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Amica Mutual Pavilion 1 LaSalle Sq Providence, RI 02903 Providence Bruins website Amica Mutual Pavilion website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 11,273 Get AMP’ed!!! After carrying the name “Dunkin’ Donuts Center” for 21 years, Providence’s downtown arena entered into a new naming rights agreement with Lincoln, Rhode Island-based Amica Mutual Insurance company, in 2022. The deal, signed for ten years, is worth $900,000 per year. The Amica Mutual Pavilion, which opened in 1972 as the Providence Civic Center, was built to house the Providence College basketball team and the Providence Reds of the American Hockey League. The Providence Bruins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the nearby Boston Bruins. The P-Bruins moved to the Ocean State from Portland, Maine, in 1992 and currently enjoy the longest uninterrupted affiliation in the AHL, playing their 33rd season in 2024-25. The team won one Calder Cup championship during their time in Providence in 1999. Providence is one of minor league hockey’s legendary cities, with a history that predates the AHL. The Reds called Providence home from 1926 to 1977. The Reds won four Calder Cups and three Fontaine Cups as champions of the Canadian-American Hockey League. Food & Beverage 3 The concessions at Amica Mutual Pavilion don’t stray far from your typical arena fare. Hot dogs, burgers, sausage sandwiches, and chicken nuggets comprise the bulk of the menu. Most concessions are sold out of a pair of food courts on either side of the arena. Sal's Pizza has taken over the pizza sales at the AMP, selling their oversized slices for $13. Fans looking for something outside the typical should head to the far side of the rink, where beef barbacoa and chicken tinga tacos can be found at a Mexican-themed stand alongside Corona and Modelo beers. A large variety of snacks are available at all stands, including what may be the most popular item here: fried dough. Coca-Cola products are featured at The AMP, along with a local Rhode Island favorite, Del's Frozen Lemonade. Fans looking for an adult beverage while at a P-Bruins game will have plenty of choices. Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona, Miller Lite, and Narragansett make up the bulk of the choices. New to the menu are some craft beers from local favorite Union Station Brewery, 5-Minute Major Golden Ale, and Friartown IPA. Locals enjoy Music Express IPA from Narragansett Brewery. In addition, wine and mixed drinks, including Stoli Blueberry and Lemonade, Bacardi and Pepsi, and Hornitos Margaritas, are served straight from the tap. Be warned that you aren't paying minor league prices here at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The craft beers go for as much as $18 a can. Atmosphere 4 The AMP is a pretty entertaining place to be on weekend nights. The affiliation with the nearby Boston Bruins ensures that the fans who visit downtown Providence are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the team on the ice. The team has finally seemed to have figured out how best to use the large new video board installed several years ago. Videos, replays, and crowd shots grab fans’ attention during play stoppages. Contests and giveaways during stoppages get the younger fans involved, filling the arena with noise at the most random times. A P-Bruins game is a really fun place to be, especially if you’re ten. Neighborhood 5 The Amica Mutual Pavilion is located in downtown Providence, the capital and largest city in Rhode Island. It is within walking distance of numerous attractions, shops, bars, and restaurants. Providence has a reputation as one of the best small cities in the nation for foodies, and the downtown area has no shortage of choices for visiting fans. A short walk from The AMP is Federal Hill, Providence’s version of Little Italy, an area lined with dozens of nationally renowned restaurants. It’s a popular destination for visitors, particularly if visiting in the spring. If the walk to Federal Hill is too much for you, simply cross the street to Trinity Brewhouse, one of the area’s original brewpubs. Their menu of craft beers and pub grub is hard to beat. Entertainment options in the area include the Trinity Repertory Company, the Providence Performing Arts Center, and historic sites such as the Arcade (the nation’s oldest indoor shopping center) and the State House. If visiting during the warmer months, be sure to experience Waterfires, where cauldrons lining the Providence, Woonasquatucket, and Mosshasuck Rivers are lit on fire as part of an outdoor festival on several weekends every year. Fans 5 Providence received the equivalent of the New England hockey “Golden Ticket” when the incredibly popular Boston Bruins placed their top farm team here in 1992. Since then, the P-Bruins have ranked near the top of the American Hockey League attendance rankings in almost every one of their 32 seasons. During the 2024-25 season, the P-Bruins once again found themselves among the biggest draws in the AHL, averaging over 7,500 fans per game. Rhode Island is one of the most hockey-crazed parts of the country, with a rabid fanbase and strong youth programs in all parts of the state. This is reflected in the typical P-Bruins crowd, which is a mix of long-time diehards, casual fans, families, and groups. The AMP is full of noise and energy throughout the season. Access 4 The Amica Mutual Pavilion is located in downtown Providence and is easily accessed via Interstate 95. Be warned that traffic in and around Providence can be quite heavy if visiting on a weekday, so prepare to take some extra time to arrive. The recent closure of the Washington Bridge, the primary route into Providence for everyone living on the East Bay side of the city, has only made it more difficult to get into the city. There is ample parking in the many surface lots and garages around the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Downtown Providence can be a busy place, particularly around the holidays. At this time of year, hockey fans compete for space with holiday shopping at the nearby Providence Place Mall and shows at Trinity Repertory Company and Providence Performing Arts Center. Fans utilizing public transportation will be pleased to know that both Kennedy Plaza, the hub of the local RIPTA bus service , and Union Station, the local Amtrak stop , are located a short walk from the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The entire facility received a makeover in 2008, which still holds up well today. There is a single concourse that circles the playing surface. Fans will enter the seating bowl halfway up. One hundred seats are below 200 seats above. All seats are individual folding stadium seats with excellent views of the ice. Expect lines to form in the food court and restrooms between periods, so plan your trips accordingly. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to P-Bruins games start at $22, with prices topping out at $42 for glass seats at center ice. The P-Bruins run specials that will help defray the cost of tickets, with $10 off and Me Plus Three packages offered for practically every game on the schedule. As you may expect, parking in the downtown area around The AMP will incur another charge. Parking in the lots and garages around the arena can cost as much as 30 dollars, depending on location and the night of the event. If you don’t mind a little walk, you can park at the Providence Place Mall and get your parking validated for just $5. Enclosed walkways bring you from the mall to the AMP. There is plenty of free parking in the neighborhood for those who want to search a little bit. Concession prices have jumped up in recent years. As mentioned earlier, a slice of pizza will cost you $13, a craft beer as much as $18, and a bottle of soda for $6. Even with these higher prices, local fans comparing a P-Bruins game to the big boys in Boston will undoubtedly enjoy the lower prices here. Extras 3 Providence is an original AHL city with a professional hockey history that predates the league. Hanging from the rafters of The AMP are banners commemorating championships won by the Providence Bruins and their predecessor, the Providence Reds. Located in the lobby are plaques honoring local soldiers, the Providence Bruins's 1999 Calder Cup championship team, and Providence player of the century Zellio Toppazzini. A banner honoring former P-Bruin Colby Cave hangs alongside the championship banners. Be sure to seek out the historical touches that abound around the arena, in particular the interactive kiosks on the far side of the concourse that commemorate the long history of the Providence Reds. The Reds have their historic society that continues to operate today. In addition, the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame has added an interactive kiosk to the display. Fans looking to pick up some Providence or Boston Bruins gear will enjoy the well-stocked Pro Shop located at The AMP. In addition, there is a kiosk with a smaller selection of swag on the concourse and another kiosk in the lobby. Final Thoughts Providence and the Amica Mutual Pavilion are often mentioned among the top American Hockey League travel destinations. The combination of a modern arena, frenzied fan support, and a fantastic downtown area makes The AMP a first-rate destination. Even though the prices may be on the rise, the value found at a P-Bruins game still makes this a worthy Stadium Journey. ---- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Climate Pledge Arena 334 1st Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 Seattle Storm website Climate Pledge Arena website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 13,500 Storm Season Hits the Climate Pledge Arena The Climate Pledge Arena is a brand new building, not quite. The $1.5 billion redevelopment has transformed it into a state-of-the-art and one of the most highly sustainable sports facilities in the nation. The changes to the infrastructure have made attending a Seattle Storm game quite an experience in the WNBA. The arena opened in 1962 as part of the World’s Fair and featured a distinctive tent-like roof that is still prominently displayed today. The building would be known as the Seattle Civic Coliseum (1964-1994), and after the first major renovations, the Key Arena (1995-2018). The Storm would debut in 2000 and adopt the colors of their former NBA tenant, the Seattle Super Sonics of green and gold. Sadly, the Sonics left for Oklahoma City in 2008, and the ladies have been the only source of professional basketball in town but have captured four WNBA championships. Also, having legendary players Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird helped promote the Storm brand; both have their numbers retired in the rafters. Food & Beverage 5 The food and beverage options at Climate Pledge Arena up the ante on the typical stadium food and combine local flavors from a series of Seattle-area restaurants. The combination offers fans a unique look at items such as pizza, burgers, and corndogs. All of the food and beverage options are located on the main concourse, and many of them are easily visible by signage in space. Fans can enjoy crispy chicken sandwiches on brioche buns that feature various sauces, 1st Avenue nachos serve up chili lime carnitas and ancho chicken along with a ton of other vegetables to pour on your nachos, and the Uptown Market provides all beef hot dogs, chicken tenders and fries, and the local Seattle hot dog. The Din Tai Fung Market is a popular location specializing in Asian cuisine. You will find sweet and sour spare ribs with rice, popcorn chicken, pork and vegetable buns, chicken fried rice, and spicy chicken wontons. A few of the items come in portable boxes that make transportation of it to your seat a little more effective than the standard hot dog and chicken tender and fry basket. Just Poke offers Hawaiian ahi poke bowls and spam musubi. Molly D Burger Grill cooks mouth-watering burgers and homemade peanut butter and jelly corn dogs. The Impossible Burger is for vegetarians and vegans and serves burgers and Korean bowls, and Sound Pizza has pillowy focaccia-like square slices with garlic and parmesan fries. The arena also offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Besides Pepsi brands, fans can enjoy plant-based energy tea, sparkling water, and Aquafina in non-plastic containers. If you're looking for a beer or something a bit stronger, various grab-and-go locations have Pacific Northwest breweries. They include variances: Black Raven, Georgetown, Fremont, Pike, and Hop Valley. If you're looking for a macro brew, grab a course, Corona or Modelo. Atmosphere 3 Climate Pledge Arena is a venue where fans enter at the top and then make their way down to the main concourse. Don’t be fooled by the lack of atmosphere at the top of the building; it gets lively on the bottom floor. It is where fans will find various spots for food, beverages, trendy sections, and a living wall. The building’s goal is to be the most progressive, responsible, and sustainable arena in the world. It includes the absence of fossil fuel consumption for daily use, solar panels on the arena’s atrium, waterless urinals, a 15,000-gallon cistern to convert rainwater to ice at the hockey rink, and a 95 percent diversion rate on waste and recyclable materials. The Living Wall is worth viewing when at a game. It measures 1,700 square feet and boasts 25 to 30 different species of plants from the Pacific Northwest. It stretches 200 feet and is 14 feet tall. It is a popular photo op for fans and is watered through recycled plastic bottles and rainwater. The lower seating bowl is open for WNBA games, featuring the distinctive dual-suspended scoreboards that provide digital content. Its design is unique to the building and connects fans to the opposite sides of the seating bowl. They’re also banners of the Storm’s retired numbers and championship titles. Neighborhood 5 The Climate Pledge Arena is in the Seattle Center, the arts, educational, tourism, and entertainment center in town. It is on the site of the 1962 World’s Fair and is within a few yards of the Space Needle and other places to visit while in town. The International Fountain, also built for the World’s Fair, runs all year long; the Artists at Play playground is ideal for kids, along with the Seattle Children’s Museum and Pacific Science Center. The Museum of Pop Culture is home to pop culture experiences that include iconic TV moments, rock n roll music, science fiction, and much more. The Armory Food & Event Hall houses a Seattle Kraken team store plus places to dine: Blue Water Taco, Kabab, Cool Guys Fry Bar, Wing Dome, and Premier Pies. The Fishers Pavillion is home to summer concerts and music festivals. During our visit, several artists sponsored by radio station KXEP performed on stage. Samples of drinks, food, and merchandise were available. Memorial Stadium is also located in Seattle Center and is home to the Seattle Cascades of the AUDL. The Seattle Monorail provides patrons a short trip to downtown Seattle and drops fans off at the Westlake Station, providing access to the Seattle Market and piers, along with the light rail link to T-Moible Park and Lumen Field for a Seattle Mariners and Seahawks game, respectively. Fans 4 Attendance figures are down from the previous year, but the Storm are still averaging well above the league average of 5,646. They are currently welcoming 8,000 plus fans to home games that include only lower-bowl seating. The support is strong, with a tradition of everyone standing until the first basket is scored by the home team. Many cheer passionately and jeer when the Storm turn the ball over. Access 5 Climate Pledge Arena offers free public transit to all county buses and water taxis, Sound Transit buses and light-rail trains, the Seattle streetcar, and monorail to all events, including Storm games. The free passes are available two hours before and after the event; fans will have to link their Ticketmaster account to the Climate Pledge Arena app. The Seattle Monorail connects fans to the arena from downtown at the Westlake Center Mall light-rail stop. The Westlake stop is also accessible to city buses and a few blocks from the City Market. If driving to the event, the arena offers 1,110 spaces in the Underground Arena, 5th Avenue, and 1st Avenue North garages for parking. The price can range from as low as $20 to $50 within reasonable walking distance. The Skyway Luggage Employee Lot 2500 Elliot Avenue can be as low as $5. All tickets should be purchased before the event to secure a spot. If parking downtown and using the monorail, the price tag could be closer to $10. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket changes per game and, depending on who is in town, could be in the $30 range; however, closer to game time and select nights, a ticket could fall to $11. It is based on the website TickPick , which I use and never charges additional fees (Stadium Journey is also not endorsed by the website). Fans can upgrade their tickets to either the Symetria or WaFd Bank Club for an additional $25. The private, premium club space provides locale Seattle craft beer offerings. Food prices are on the higher side, with a Hop Valley Kraken Stash IPA selling for $16.99 a can. Their food is of first-class quality with many items locally sourced and made fresh on the spot. The price of public transportation is free to and from all games, but concession prices are high in price. The food is of high quality and varies from traditional to local cuisine. Perhaps it provides a fan to splurge due to savings on tickets and transportation fees. Extras 4 An evening at a Seattle Storm game at the Climate Pledge Arena is advantageous for free public transportation, touring the living wall along the main concourse, and visiting Seattle Center stores. The area offers restaurants, museums, a children's playground, and the Space Needle, among the options before or after a basketball game. Final Thoughts Climate Pledge Arena is a building that stands out among the rest of the WNBA and the nation. The interaction with fans and the team provides an ideal atmosphere for a first-time visitor, and the neighborhood is worth spending a few hours at before or after the game. When you add free mass transportation to the game, visiting the building is a must in Seattle. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Columbus Civic Center 400 4th St. Columbus, GA 31901 Columbus Lions website Columbus Civic Center website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 7,573 It's Football Time in the Civic Center The state of Georgia is well known for its love of football – from Friday nights under the lights at high school fields around the state to Saturdays on college campuses or Sundays at Mercedes Benz Stadium , there is no denying Georgia’s love of football. While Georgians have a deep love affair with the game in its traditional form, the alternative forms of the game have found a niche audience in the west central Georgia city of Columbus. Columbus, Georgia has been a fixture on the arena football landscape since 2007, when the initial incarnation of the Lions would play in the World Indoor Football League. Since that time, the Lions have played in seven different indoor football leagues, finding their most recent home as members of American Indoor Football (AIF). Over the years Columbus has shown itself to be one of the more formidable teams regardless of the league they played in – the Lions have made the playoffs in all but one of their seasons, and have won four league championships. Arena football’s core rules are similar to typical football, but the limited size of the playing surface (50 yards long and just over 28 yards wide) calls for specialized rules to compensate for the restricted space the game is played. Some rule differences are evident right away, such as 8 players per side and different pre-snap motion rules. Other rule changes regarding defensive stunts and blitzing might not be as obvious right away, but overall the rules here are designed to emphasize scoring, to create an exciting game experience.   Food & Beverage   4 Concessions at Columbus Civic Center are a mix of traditional stadium fare and a touch of local options. The basic concession stands have a limited menu that includes nacho chips with cheese sauce, popcorn, bottled Pepsi products, and Gatorade. Pepsi vending machines are also widely available around the concourse. The line at Chester’s BBQ & Grille should be a good sign that it is probably the best bet when it comes to concessions here; Chester’s has a wide selection of chicken tenders, wings, BBQ sandwiches, and just good old scoops of meat (yes, this is an actual menu option). Chester’s is the best bet to get a decent arena meal at a fair price, including several combo meals that offer a well-discounted price. Besides Chester’s, a combo concession stand serves a limited menu from Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, while the other side serves cones from ice cream chain Bruster’s.  Pizza is also served at The Pizza Place, but $7 for a slice does seem a bit steep. Full-service bar stations are set up on the exterior concourse on each side of the arena and offer fans domestic beers, mixed cocktails, wine, Nutrl vodka seltzers, and cans of Cutwater premixed cocktails.   Atmosphere   3 The exterior of Columbus Civic Center has a rather modern feel to it, utilizing a great deal of windows to the curved entry point of the arena. Once inside the entry foyer is reminiscent of a smaller version of Gas South Arena , with bookending stairways that curve up to a second level. The arena itself has the feel of Macon’s Centreplex , where the seating bowl horseshoes into a wall of what appears to be either offices or suites. A small, four-sided scoreboard hangs over midfield, but the center sideboards either do not work or are just not used for whatever reason. While the enjoyment of the game is not impacted by the lack of a video board, there is nowhere for fans to get down-and-distance information. Stoppages in play are typically accompanied by music rather than ad reads, which fans appear to enjoy, as they are quick to their feet to dance along with the music. Players also frequently take notice of the music being played and are excited to join the fans in dancing. Throughout the game the team mascot, Leo, makes his way around the arena, taking pictures and interacting with fans. There is a lot to make the Columbus Lions experience an exciting one for both those who are there simply to be entertained, and those who are there more for the competition on the field.   Neighborhood   3 Columbus Civic Center is part of the larger complex that sits on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, just across the state line from Alabama. The complex is home to several of Columbus’ athletic facilities, including R.G. Jones Field and the accompanying softball complex, which hosted softball during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, as well as A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium, which once hosted the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” between Georgia  and Auburn  – today McClung Stadium hosts the “Fountain City Classic” between Albany State and Fort Valley State. On the western edge of the complex is Golden Park, the one-time home of the Columbus RedStixx, and following major renovations, this venue will become the new home of the Atlanta Braves AA affiliate in the Southern League when the Mississippi Braves relocate following the 2024 season. Though not directly on site, the Civil War Naval Museum neighbors the athletic complex. Just a short drive from Columbus Civic Center, downtown Columbus has a concentration of restaurants, brewpubs, and lodging. The Columbus Riverwalk along the Chattahoochee River also provides access to the Civic Center from downtown, while just across Chattahoochee is Phenix City, Alabama, with more eateries and hotels.   Fans   4 The Lions give their fans a lot to get excited about through their performance on the field, and their fans reciprocate with a great deal of support. Columbus Civic Center typically sees a few thousand fans fill the seats of the arena, and they play a big part in setting the tone for a fun indoor football experience. Columbus players are very interactive with their fans – it is commonplace for players to celebrate by giving fans high-fives as they return to the bench area, or for a fan to help a player tuck his shoulder pad back into his jersey. The Lions have a long history in Columbus, and it has paid off in a symbiotic relationship, where the team is part of the Columbus community and a source of local pride.   Access   3 Columbus is located in west central Georgia, approximately an hour-and-a-half from Atlanta’s southside. Visitors from Georgia’s largest city can access the area via I-85 to I-185. If coming to Columbus from any other direction, be prepared to use US or state highways. Columbus Civic Center is surrounded by a great deal of parking, close to the front entrance to the arena. The layout of the entrance is a bit strange in that the box office is not accessible from the outside, so visitors will have to enter the arena to purchase tickets. This line might be a bit delayed once security checks are set up. Once in Columbus Civic Center, curved staircases lead to a concourse that horseshoes around the back of the arena. There is not an inner walkway that passes fully around the seating bowl, but several entry portals allow visitors to easily access their seats. While the concourse continues completely around the arena, security does not allow access to the back hallway, so fans can’t walk fully around.   Return on Investment   3 General admission tickets start at $15, which might seem a touch high, but when considering there are no parking fees, it does make the general admission ticket price a bit more reasonable. Concessions are a bit hit or miss. Pizza prices do seem to be rather expensive with a slice going for $7. On the other hand, Chester’s prices are very reasonable, and they do not shy away from serving good-sized portions.   Extras   4 Columbus Civic Center is also home to the Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame – th ree of the most notable enshrined athletes come from the world of baseball: Walter Alston, Enos Slaughter, and Frank Thomas (all three are members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame). If you look close enough at the end zones, through the black paint, you will notice the logo of the LA KISS of the Arena Football League; the KISS was owned by band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Like other indoor football leagues, fans are free to keep game balls that enter the stands. Players are also rather generous in tossing touchdown or turnover balls to kids, or to some of the more passionate adult fans. Following the game, fans are invited onto the field for 30 minutes for a player meet-and-greet to get autographs, take pictures, or just interact with players.   Final Thoughts The Lions play a fun, high-speed, high-scoring style of football – the problem is they might be too good, making many of their games not very competitive. It’s a good problem to have, though; no one wants to be on the other end of that equation. American Indoor Football seems to be struggling to establish a competitive balance and sustainability for its league. The 2024 season started with plans for seven teams, but one folded midseason, another moved to a non-league schedule, and a third never got operations off the ground. Games have been so lopsided this year that the playoff format was even changed midseason. The instability of the league does not seem to hurt the Lions as an organization, however, as they appear to be head and shoulders better than the rest of their competition in the league. Regardless of what the future holds for AIF, Columbus appears to be on solid footing when it comes to the stability of their franchise and should continue to prosper regardless of what the 2025 arena football season might bring.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Historic Riggs Field at Dr. I. M. Ibrahim Stadium 115 Alpha Beta Circle Clemson, SC 29634 Clemson Tigers website Historic Riggs Field at Dr. I. M. Ibrahim Stadium website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 6,500 Historic Riggs Field at Dr. I. M. Ibrahim Stadium – Clemson Tigers Fall in Clemson, South Carolina, typically brings thoughts of busses circlin g Memorial Stadium , Howard’s Rock, and the blast of the Clemson cannon sending the football team down and running down “The Hill.” What might fly under the radar, however, is Clemson men’s soccer program, which has experienced more national success than any other athletic program at Clemson, which most instantly associate with the school’s successes on the gridiron. Serving as Clemson’s football field as far back as 1915 and baseball field from 1916 to 1969, Riggs Field was named in honor of their first football coach, Walter Riggs, who also served a stint as the school’s president from 1911 to 1924. During Riggs’s tenure, he hired John Heisman as the school’s football coach. Soccer was first sponsored as a varsity sport at Clemson in 1932 but was discontinued in 1939. Soccer would return in 1967 under the direction of Dr. I. M. Ibrahim, who was not just the soccer coach but also a professor of chemistry at Clemson – the soccer stadium is now named after him. In their history, the Tigers have claimed 17 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) soccer titles while being crowned soccer National Champions four times as of 2024 (1984, 1987, 2021, and 2023).   Food & Beverage   2 Concessions can be found built into the exterior of the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility at the western end of Riggs Field – offerings are rather straightforward, with hot dogs, nachos, and barbecue sandwiches as the featured items. Beverages come from the Pepsi line of soft drinks, but one of the more intriguing items on the menu is the Clemson orange slushies.   Atmosphere   4 Riggs Field sits down in a natural bowl, which is created by the surrounding hilly terrain. This should not come as much of a shock, as the Clemson campus is also extremely hilly. The stadium is made up of two sets of separated bleachers on either side of the pitch, both faced in brick. The far side visitor seating area runs roughly from penalty area to penalty area and has limited backed seating. In contrast, the home side seating runs the entire length of the field and has a full section of aluminum seat backs at midfield. Given the open nature of the stadium, crowds often gather along the fence outside the pitch due to its proximity to the exterior sidewalk along Old Greenville Highway at the northern edge of the stadium. This setup leaves very little to obstruct the view and goes a long way in enhancing the overall campus and neighborhood feel, connecting the community to the game. There are also no bad seats at Riggs Field, and the supporters’ section, positioned behind the visiting team’s bench, often spills over behind the opposing goalkeeper, contributing significantly to Clemson’s home-field advantage.   Neighborhood   5 Riggs Field is just a short walk from College Avenue, Clemson’s hub of dining, shopping, and nightlife. Less than a mile away is the legendary Esso Club, a former gas station turned Clemson tradition. For Friday night soccer matches, pairing a visit with a Saturday football ga me at Memorial Stadium is a perfect weekend experience. Despite Clemson’s hilly landscape, there are some scenic walks around campus – historic Woodland Cemetery, and the Clemson Dike are both highly popular locations for students, locals, and visitors to get out and be one with the outdoors.   Fans   4 Clemson soccer’s successes have long drawn a great deal of support from students, alumni, and the local soccer community, and the fan base has done a good job showing their appreciation for that success with a raucous collegiate soccer atmosphere. The ever-present student support section, Central Spirit, does a good job creating an interactive soccer atmosphere – throughout the match, they chant, beat base and snare drums, and run through a series of songs. It is not uncommon for matches against other premier programs and rivals to draw more than 6,000 fans, although midweek matches and those against smaller programs do not bring in nearly the same crowds.   Access   4 Clemson is roughly a 20-minute drive from I-85, with multiple exits leading into town. The most direct route is through Pendleton, South Carolina, which leads to the eastern side of campus. The E-5 lot , adjacent to Fike Recreation Center, offers convenient parking, while street parking near Memorial Stadium is al so an option, just a short walk from the soccer field and frequently plentiful. Riggs Field has four entry points, making access easy. The main entrance, shared with the Duckworth Family Tennis Pavilion, frequently offers promotional items for fans. A walkway also encircles the field, though views are obstructed by the stands except at the ends of the pitch.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets are reasonably priced at $10 for general admission and $15 for reserved seating, a fair deal considering Clemson’s status as a premier collegiate soccer program. Free parking close to the stadium is also a bonus. Though concession prices are slightly above average, they are not as unreasonable as sports stadium fare goes.   Extras   4 Plaques at the entrance along Old Greenville Highway honor Walter Riggs for his contributions to both Clemson athletics and the university. Clemson takes great pride in its soccer history, with the underside of the stands recognizing team and individual accomplishments, including National Championship teams, national scoring leaders, and Hermann Trophy winners awarded to college soccer’s top players. Inside the playing area, flags commemorate Clemson’s four National Championship titles, and placards along the fencing highlight the successes of both the men’s and women’s programs, including their ACC titles and NCAA Tournament achievements. The Clemson Tiger mascot is an active participant in the game experience, greeting fans, interacting with the student section, and taking part in halftime contests. Also, could you even have a Clemson sporting event without its rich traditions? The popular fight song, “Tiger Ra,” is played just before the start of the soccer match, as well as after every Clemson goal. Clemson also does a good job paying tribute to the university, as following the match with the Alma Mater Salute has become customary across Clemson athletics.   Final Thoughts Clemson soccer has been one of the elite programs in the nation for years, and their game experience is just as special. The product on the pitch will always be of high quality, and the surrounding campus and neighborhood atmosphere perfectly complement the experience.

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Foster Auditorium 801 6th Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Alabama Crimson Tide website Foster Auditorium website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 3,800 Can't Spike On The Tide Women’s volleyball has been a varsity sport at the University of Alabama since 1974. Despite being overshadowed by the Crimson Tide’s other sports programs, the volleyball team has made five NCAA Tournament appearances as of the writing of this article. The volleyball program called Foster Auditorium home until 1995, when it moved to Coleman Coliseum. After playing at the basketball arena for a few years and in the Coleman Auxiliary Volleyball Extension for a decade, Foster Auditorium received a renovation. It became home to the volleyball program once again in 2011.   Food & Beverage   2 There is one concession stand on the lower level of the venue that sells stadium basics such as hot dogs ($6), pretzels ($7), chips ($3.50), popcorn ($7), candy ($4), peanuts ($6), & cracker jacks ($4). Rita’s Italian Ice ($8.50), milkshakes ($9), frozen drinks ($9), and custard cookie sandwiches ($7) are also offered. Bottled beverages on sale include water ($6), Coca-Cola branded sodas ($6), and Powerade ($6). While alcohol is allowed to be sold at Crimson Tide athletic events, Foster Auditorium does not sell any beer. Atmosphere   3 The main entrance to Foster Auditorium is located by the Malone-Hood Plaza, which is the rear entrance. This is the entrance where the infamous “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” incident took place in 1963. Within the plaza is the Autherine Lucy Clock Tower, which is named after the first black student to attend the University of Alabama. Upon walking inside the auditorium, the lobby has a table with goodies and a merchandise stand. A hallway has a mirage of Alabama Women’s volleyball and basketball players (the women’s basketball team played at Foster Auditorium from 2011-2016 and still practices there as of the writing of this article). The seating is split into two levels with four rows of high school-style bleachers on the floor of the gym along the length and one end, while the main seating area is on the upper level with seven rows of old-style bleachers in a horseshoe shape. The student section is a massive wall of retractable bleachers at the end of the venue. The team benches are located opposite the bleachers on the floor. The floor is a volleyball court with gray basketball lines painted on (presumably for basketball practice use). The floor had been a basketball court with volleyball lines painted on until a couple of years ago. There are banners commemorating the postseason successes of both the volleyball and women’s basketball teams. LED scoreboards are located behind each set of floor bleachers and the team benches, while a video board is behind the student section. During the starting lineups, each volleyball player will throw a T-shirt into the crowd. The cheerleaders do their part to get the fans and students' energy behind the Tide.   Neighborhood   5 Foster Auditorium is located in the heart of the University of Alabama campus. It is a short walk from Bryant-Denny Stadium, Coleman Coliseum, and Sewell-Thomas Stadium. For families, the Alabama Museum of Natural History is a short walk from Foster Auditorium on the corner of the quad. The venue is not too far from “The Strip,” which is Tuscaloosa’s entertainment district. “There are a plethora of restaurants and bars on “The Strip” and even more options downtown. Local favorites include Jim-N’-Nick’s Bar-B-Q, Taco Mama, and Mugshots Grill and Bar, for lodging, Hotel Capstone is on campus, while downtown has several hotel chains, including Comfort Inn, Homewood Suites, and Embassy Suites.   Fans   3 A typical crowd will have the families and friends of the volleyball players. The student section will have a decent amount of students with “Tide Loyalty” points on offer for priority access to Alabama football tickets. Alabama has various promotions to increase volleyball turnout, including photo ops with “Big Al,” kids' days, and a Greek night for the fraternities and sororities.   Access   3 From I-20/59, turn off exit 73 onto McFarland Boulevard North and drive until you reach the University Boulevard exit. Turn off at that ramp and make a right towards the University of Alabama. Drive until you hit Hackberry Lane and make a left. Foster Auditorium will be on your right. The venue is not the easiest to navigate as the main seating area on the upper level requires a walk up a flight of stairs. The walkways into the seating bowl are also tricky to navigate as the rails are on the end of the aisles, not in the middle. This makes moving around Foster Auditorium trickier than in other venues.   Return on Investment   3 General admission tickets in the upper-level seats are $8 for non-conference matchups and $10 for games against SEC opponents. There is a $3 discount for people under the age of 18, and group tickets are available for $5/person. Season tickets start at $50 for an upper-level seat and $75 for a seat on the floor. A “Four-Pack” of season tickets goes for $160 ($40/person) on the upper level or $240 ($60/person) on the floor. Alabama has twelve home dates in 2024, so a season ticket can be a great value!   Extras   3 Foster Auditorium has a very important place in the history of the civil rights movement in Alabama. The auditorium was where students registered for classes in the 1960s. In 1963, George Wallace attempted to prevent James Hood and Vivian Malone from registering for classes in what is known as “The Stand in the Schoolhouse Door.” The stand took place at the rear door, which is now the main entrance to the auditorium. The venue is where the Alabama women’s basketball team practices and where women’s games were played in the early 2010s. A new practice facility is being built for the men’s basketball team, which will see the women’s team move their practices to Coleman Coliseum. The most points scored by an individual player in an SEC game happened at Foster Auditorium. LSU’s Pete Maravich dropped 69 points against Alabama on February 7, 1970. That was the Division 1 record for over two decades until Kevin Bradshaw broke it in 1991. Final Thoughts There is a lot of history at Foster Auditorium, both inside and out. It played host to one of the most significant events in the civil rights movement. From an athletic standpoint, it saw college basketball history. There is no reason Alabama Volleyball can’t make some history of its own at Foster Auditorium.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Park West Athletics Complex 8000 TX-1604 Loop San Antonio, TX 78249 UTSA Roadrunners website Park West Athletics Complex website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 1,000 UTSA Roadrunners – Park West Athletics Complex The University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) was founded just over a half-century ago in 1969. They started their athletics programs not too long after that, including their women’s sports. Over the years, as UTSA has grown, so has the athletics department. In 2006, the Roadrunners  fielded their first women’s soccer team. Fresh off of winning the Southland Conference for the first time in 2010, UTSA partnered with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County to open Park West Athletics Complex. The school would win one more conference title in 2002, their final year in Conference USA. Partially to cap off the school’s move to the American Athletics Conference (AAC), UTSA unveiled upgrades to Park West, including a brand-new fieldhouse . The $8 million, 14,325 square-foot facility includes a multipurpose community room, locker rooms, team lounges, a sports medicine center, and equipment area – the shine is still highly visible at Park West. Read on to learn more about what UTSA’s facility has to offer.   Food & Beverage   3 Park West offers one main concession stand for fans. It is located near the main entrance to the complex and offers up the vast majority of your traditional game day fare. This includes hot dogs (either plain or with chili and cheese), nachos (which can also be gussied up with chili), and Frito pie. You can also get boxes of candy and popcorn, along with bottled sodas, water, and sports drinks. Also, Park West offers alcoholic beverages, such as beer and hard seltzers, for those interested. This is a cashless facility, so consider that when heading to a game.   Atmosphere   2 The surroundings are pretty sparse at Park West, which I’m sure will improve over time once the rest of UTSA’s athletics expansion/construction in the area is done. What is available now is a lot of UTSA signage, including banners proclaiming the soccer team’s two titles and a lot of themed games. For example, I attended a contest recently where the program honored first responders; the local fire department brought out trucks and booths and was around for photo opportunities. UTSA also gave out programs, posters, and hand fans instead of a merchandise tent or booth. Those hand fans, FYI, were a great idea, as my one complaint for the area is the lack of shade available for fans in the stands. There is an unforgiving heat in South Texas during the early months of the soccer season, and that is expounded exponentially when sitting on metal bleachers. Fans looking to escape the brutal sun had to find shelter underneath the stands, away from the action – this is something to bear in mind when attending a Roadrunners soccer game.   Neighborhood   4 Park West Athletics Complex is at the far west, of course, end of UTSA’s main campus. The soccer pitch and track and field stadium share a facility, which is something to keep in mind when the season starts. It’s also about a seven-minute drive from the Historic Convocation Center , home to UTSA men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, and Roadrunner Field , home to UTSA baseball – catching a game at one of these during your soccer visit is something to keep in mind as a possibility. In terms of attractions, UTSA’s main campus is right across the highway, literally, from both Six Flags Fiesta Texas  theme park and the Shops at La Cantera . Fiesta Texas is the largest theme park in the region and home to an iconic host of rollercoasters, such as the Iron Rattler. It also has themed events, such as its Howl-o-Scream festivities during the spooky season; it is one of the most popular attractions in Alamo City and is easily accessible from UTSA. The Shops are one of the city’s high-end collections of vendors – think Gucci, Cartier, Nieman Marcus, etc. If shopping is your passion, you will love the Shops at La Cantera. It is also home to some of the nicest restaurants in that area of San Antonio, such as Palenque Grill , an upscale Mexican food restaurant, and Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille , which, as its name implies, is a high-end steakhouse. There are also plenty of other options that are sure to fit your budget and tastes. Because the athletics facilities are on campus, there aren’t any lodging options within walking distance of Park West. However, just across Loop 1604, you’ll find plenty of options, making your drives to Roadrunner soccer matches just under 10 minutes long. Options include DoubleTree by Hilton San Antonio Northwest  and Spark by Hilton San Antonio Northwest near Six Flags , but as mentioned above, there are numerous other options nearby, with only your budget serving as a limitation.   Fans   2 For transparency’s sake, I will admit that I am a UTSA alum and an avid fan of all Roadrunners sports. With that said, I was slightly disappointed by the crowd that came out to the most recent soccer game I attended – I will admit it was a weekend afternoon game, however, when a certain professional football team from the northern part of Texas was playing, which might have played into the sparseness of the crowd. With that said, UTSA soccer has been a successful program in recent history; I will say that a large swath of the crowd was there to support the opposing team. Again, this is all anecdotal, but the eye test showed me that there is still plenty of room for growth in terms of fan support here.   Access   4 You can get to UTSA Main Campus and Park West Athletics Complex from any point in the Alamo City using Interstate 10 and Loop 1604; it is a 20-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport. The city’s public transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit , also offers multiple routes to and from the UTSA campus during the day if you choose not to drive. Once you get to Park West, parking is free and plentiful. The campus is also clearly marked from the highways, so you should have no problems on your journey to UTSA.   Return on Investment   3 Admission to UTSA Roadrunners women’s soccer is free, and parking at Park West Athletics Complex is also free. Also, playing in the AAC offers fans of UTSA the ability to see some pretty high-end collegiate competition – getting to see that for free is a bargain that is pretty hard to beat. The only factors keeping the score here from being higher are a lack of extra game day amenities (more on that shortly), as well as that few of UTSA’s big-name non-conference opponents make it to Park West for games – more often than not if UTSA is playing a Power 4 school they are doing it on the road.   Extras   2 The Spirit of San Antonio (SoSA)  marching band has a presence at UTSA soccer games. They can be heard performing in the stands throughout matches, and you can also find UTSA’s mascot, Rowdy , patrolling the sidelines and stands throughout games here, taking photos and just being genuinely fun. There is not much else in terms of Extras at Park West for now.   Final Thoughts If you’re a soccer fan, you will enjoy yourself at UTSA matches at Park West Athletics Complex. It’s a good venue for the sport, and it will eventually be an even better venue for fans. If you are in the area, you would be hard-pressed to find a more affordable way to spend an afternoon or an evening. It’s not a bucket list place yet, but Park West could be a top collegiate venue in the not-too-distant future, so get in while you can. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on X at @EricMoreno6477 .

It's that time of year again: MLB playoffs. We look at how the format is and whether the changes have been good or bad. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Craven Cottage Stevenage Rd London, England SW6 6HH Fulham FC website Craven Cottage website Year Opened: 1896 Capacity: 29,589 Craven Cottage: London's Historic Football Ground Established in 1879, Fulham FC holds the distinction of being London’s oldest football club. The team has been based at Craven Cottage since its acquisition in 1894. Following the cleanup of debris, the club's inaugural match resulted in a 4-0 triumph over Minerva in the Middlesex Senior Cup. In 1903, a wooden grandstand was constructed to accommodate the growing number of spectators. This stand, affectionately known as the “Rabbit Hutch,” was unfortunately condemned just two seasons later. It was subsequently replaced by a larger and more modern stand, which still exists today, marking 120 years since its construction. Scottish architect Archibald Leitch was hired to design the structure, and Clyde Structural Iron Company provided the steelwork. The 5,000-seat stand cost £15,000 and opened for the 2005/06 season. The stands featured narrow entrances, iron turnstiles, and wooden theater-style seats.  Twenty thousand spectators watched the first match at what was dubbed the Stevenage Road Stand, renamed a century later to the Johnny Haynes Stand after the passing of the club’s greatest player. It is a Grade II listed building protected by English Heritage. The stadium is also known for an actual cottage in the corner of the stadium between the Haynes and Hammersmith Ends. The small cottage features a covered patio where players' families can watch the game. Home and away dressing rooms are downstairs. The stadium is next to Bishop’s Park and along the banks of Thames River. The ground was originally a royal hunting lodge with a history dating back 300 years. The club has called Craven Cottage home since 1896, except when it shared Loftus Road with Queens Park Rangers from 2002-2004. The home of the Cottagers is expanding with The Riverside renovation that will present a year-round destination for visitors. It will offer restaurants, bars, boutiques, a sky deck, a hotel, and a riverside market. The increased seating and hospitality areas will also bring in additional revenue to the club. However, the changes will not affect the history and charm of Craven Cottage, one of England’s historic football cathedrals. Food & Beverage 3 Craven Cottage offers typical football cuisine at its numerous concession stands. These include the Fulham Frankfurter, a plain or topped hot dog with caramelized onions, pickles, bacon crumbles, and chives. The stadium also offers signature sausage rolls, burgers, and pizza slices. It serves Willy’s Pies in chicken balti, minced beef, chicken and sage, and steak and ale. Hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and Brovil) and alcoholic beverages. Fans can enjoy a pint of Guinness and Camden Hill varieties during the half. Wine and cider are also available for non-beer drinkers at the game. Atmosphere 3 Craven Cottage provides a uniquely intimate atmosphere unlike any other ground in the Premiership. With fans seated close to the pitch, they feel deeply connected to the action. Each stand offers a cozy, distinctive experience, where home and away supporters come together in a warm and welcoming environment, creating a friendly vibe that's rare among the city's stadiums. The Johnny Haynes Stand dates back to 1905 and features a facade facing the street with decorative pillars and the club’s old emblem in the artwork. Fans walk through narrow and rickety turnstiles that date back to the same year, a system that has fans enter the doorways sideways. Once inside, 3,571 wooden seats were designed in 1955 to mimic the original 1905 seating designs. This area will house a majority of the season ticket holders, the ticket offices, and the team shop. The Putney End is the southernmost stand and houses visiting and away supporters. It is one of the only grounds in the EFL to have a stand designated for both supporters.  The Hammersmith End houses home supporters, notably the vocal Stand Up Crew.  The Riverside Stand is behind the River Thames and is elevated much higher than the other stands at the Cottage. The area seats 8,000 people and is home to corporate hospitality seating; it is in the final stages of being transformed into an entertainment area that will feature a sky deck, pool, hotel, restaurants, pubs, and a public market with access to a sidewalk along the Thames. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood near Craven Cottage is very posh, with residential homes, parks, and rowing clubs across the Thames. The narrow streets outside the Johnny Haynes Stand become crowded on match days. There are many pubs and restaurants within walking distance to grab a pint. The Eight Bells is friendly to home and away fans, but due to its size, it becomes congested before matches. It is a 17th-century-style tavern offering traditional English pubs and a favorite among the older Fulham audience. The Crabtree is another pub that is friendly to away fans and offers food and a beer garden. Both are a 10-minute walk from the stadium. There are more spots to grab a bite to eat or drink at The Gold Lion and The Temperance. Fishers offers takeaway fish and chips, The Durell Arms offers vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and Gola is known for its pizza and Italian dishes. Pure Indian Cooking is another restaurant to try for authenticity.  Stamford Bridge , the home of Chelsea, is 2 miles away from Craven Cottage in Fulham. It might be open for a tour or a possible game. Brentford Community Stadium is nearby, less than 6 miles away, and Cherry Red Records Stadium is 5 miles to the south. Fans 4 The fans are passionate, but they are also friendly and welcoming to fans. It is one of the few stadiums in English Football that allows home and away supporters to sit together. That is a testament to the culture of the Fulham faithful, but also inviting to anyone who wants to enjoy a game without any concerns. The stadium has never had any history of violence or rowdiness from fans. It is where one goes to enjoy a pleasant afternoon of football. Access 3 As with most football grounds in London, it is best to access Craven Cottage via bus. The 74, 85, C4, 2020, and 424 buses run near the stadium. Another option is to arrive by the District Line (Putney Bridge) on The Underground and walk a mile to the stadium along the Thames.  It is not recommended to travel by car to the game; there is no public parking, and the narrow residential streets are for permits only. London boasts one of the world’s best public transportation systems, making it easy to get around by bus or the Tube. If you have a ticket for the Johnny Haynes Stand, be ready to navigate the narrow turnstiles, originally designed for fans in 1905. Unless you are around 5 feet 3 inches tall, expect a tight squeeze as you enter the stadium through this historic entrance, leading to both the Putney and Hammersmith Ends. Return on Investment 4 Adult ticket prices range from as low as £55 for a seat in the Hammersmith Stand to as high as £125 in the Riverside Stand. The most affordable option is in the Johnny Haynes Family Stand, where adult tickets start at £24. As expected, reduced prices are available for fans aged 17 and under, as well as those over 65. The price of concessions is reasonable compared with other clubs in the Premier League, but we're a bit on the higher side. There are combo meals that include pie and beer, a burger and a beer, or a burger and a Coke for a valued price. The official team store is filled with gear from kits, scarves, caps, jackets, shorts, and much more. The prices are in line with members of the Premier League.  As always, it is advisable to purchase a ticket in advance. At this time, Fulham is averaging 25,000-plus in the 29,589-capacity stadium. Prices will increase depending on the opponent. Extras 3 Craven Cottage earns an extra point for the Johnny Haynes Stand, which features a facade that takes visitors back to 1905. Inside, the old wooden seats are still intact, adding more nostalgia to the match. Fulham offers season-ticket holders in the Johnny Hayne Stand a pint of beer for £1 if they arrive an hour early to facilitate traffic into the stadium. The standstill has its original narrow entrances that require many of us to enter sideways through the original turnstiles.  There is an actual cottage inside Craven Cottage, allowing players' families to watch the game from the balcony. The downstairs portion serves as the home and away locker rooms for players and is among the smallest in the league. Final Thoughts Craven Cottage is the oldest football ground in London and steep in history. It is going through renovations to modernize the facility, and The Riverside Stand will be the key to future entertainment options along the Thames. If curious about seeing a stadium’s future and past, purchase a ticket to the Fulham game when in town. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith and Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Lincoln Financial Field 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way Philadelphia, PA 19148 Philadelphia Eagles website Lincoln Financial Field website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 69,956 Fly Eagles Fly Until 2003, the Philadelphia Eagles never had a stadium to call their own. The Eagles did play alone for five years in the 1930s and 1940s at the stadium, which would later be named John F. Kennedy Stadium, but most of the time, they used the venues of the Phillies, the old Philadelphia Athletics, and even the University of Pennsylvania Quakers. The Baker Bowl and Connie Mack Stadium were subpar stadiums, especially by the time the Eagles got to play at each. The 1971 opening of Veterans Stadium, shared with the Phillies, gave the team their first modern stadium, but one loved by almost no one. It also showed little life, except for the rat and mouse population in its lower sections. It also deteriorated fast and needed to be replaced desperately, and that is why Lincoln Financial Field was built in 2003 The stadium is architecturally not like many new stadiums. Its design does not use soft brick colors and other warm tones. Instead, it uses sleek steel, glass facades, and darker surfaces to make a unique statement. It’s both harsh to the eye and welcoming, all at the same time. The stadium also hulks over nearby Interstate I-95. Food & Beverage 4 For the best food options at The Linc, start in the north end zone plaza, where most fans enter the stadium. This festive introduction features an area with several unique food carts, including Brent Celek’s “Prime Stache,” serving as a mean cheesesteak. Bassett’s provides several BBQ options, while one spot over is a tent for McNally’s Tavern and their famous “Schmitter” sandwich. To be able to devour this beast, one must hold out from eating at a tailgate. The Schmitter features steak, onions, tomatoes, cheese, grilled salami, and a special sauce on a Kaiser roll. This area with the best food is a hike from some seating sections, so it may be best to grab something on your way in. Inside the actual stadium, there are plenty of concession stands, and they are expensive, like their counterparts outside. The choices throughout each concourse level include the requisite items, but they are less varied, and disappointingly, only a couple of items are offered per stand. This is Philadelphia, and thankfully, several spots sell cheesesteaks. There are also some good-looking soft pretzels available, which is a Philadelphia favorite. However, the one I tried was cold. Of course, Chickie’s & Pete’s sell their famous crab fries ($11) and chicken cutlets ($9). Miller Lite and Budweiser are the prominent beers sold around the stadium. Other beers are available, but the local selection is limited. Coca-Cola provides soda products, and a regular is $5. For those who are not looking to drink alcohol, be sure to sign up for the Designated Driver program in the north plaza at ground level for a ticket to receive a free beverage. Atmosphere 5 Set amongst a backdrop of seemingly endless rows of tailgates, Lincoln Financial Field’s exterior of exposed steel, beams, brick, and glass is well-designed to represent the character of Philadelphia. Walking towards the stadium from the north, the open corners and upper deck shape almost give the perception of an Eagle flying. Inside, the stadium is so well designed, with angled seating sections enhancing the sightlines. The lower deck is at a shallow grade, while the upper deck has more of a steeper pitch, and all of the individual Midnight Green seats have backs and cupholders. Though the upper deck is high because of the below club section sandwiched between a layer of suites, the view is not bad at all. Various nooks and crannies give the stadium a non-uniform, unique appearance, while the open corners in the north end help to provide peaks of Center City (Philly’s downtown). The outer gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff for access to the plaza behind the north end zone. This is a nice area to spend a little time as there is entertainment and live music to go along with the food trucks. The gates to the actual seating bowl open 1.5 hours before the game, and once seated, the experience is enhanced by a pair of high-quality video boards at each end zone. The only downfall is the usage of big ads on the sides, which cut down on the picture. For fantasy football junkies, there is a separate board that rolls through player stats, and the WiFi in the stadium has recently been enhanced to handle the volume. For those looking to factor in weather, the highest several rows in the sideline 200s are underneath an overhang. The sun will shine brightest on Sections 115-125 and 219-231. The game atmosphere is tremendous as The Linc is a very loud stadium that can provide a distinct home-field advantage (so long as the fans don’t turn on their team). A Rocky-themed introduction video is goosebump-inducing, and the roar from the opening kick continues into the first possession. After an Eagles touchdown, “Fly Eagles Fly” is sung by pretty much everybody and topped off with a deafening “E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!” at the end. During halftime, there’s a chance the Eagles Drumline performs, and it is worth sticking around for. Neighborhood 4 The South Philadelphia Sports Complex, which also includes the nearby Wells Fargo Center and Citizens Bank Park, is located far away from the actual city of Philadelphia. To experience the city, you would need to take a subway ride into Center City. There are some places, albeit limited, close to the stadium. The Xfinity Live entertainment center is across the street, roughly where the old Spectrum was located. It is overpriced and is not an entertainment center, but a few bars and restaurants together in one building. The star attraction here is the 32-foot screen at the NBC Sports Arena. The Victory Beer Hall is also another fine venue, especially for local brews. A couple of slightly lesser-known options nearby are McFadden’s, located on the first level outside of neighboring Citizens Bank Park, and the Live Casino past the ballpark. Famous local sports bar Chickie’s and Pete’s is relatively close to Packard Avenue. There are hundreds of screens and video game options inside. The food is pretty good, too. The Crab Fries are famous here. You can park at Chickie’s and Pete’s for some games and they offer a shuttle bus to the games (“The Taxi Crab”). Just make sure you follow parking rules, as they will be quick to tow you if you don’t. Some of the best cheesesteaks are located at Tony and Nick's Steaks on Oregon Avenue underneath I-95. Don’t fall for the more touristy Pat’s and Geno’s. Tony Luke’s offers more options with much better flavor. Tony and Nick's Steaks can get crowded before games and still gets its share of tourists. For a more neighborly experience, go to Philip’s Steaks at 2234 West Passyunk Avenue. They are located in a safe neighborhood and offer free parking. Philip’s also has a surprisingly good cheeseburger, for a cheesesteak joint. Just remember you have to buy the drinks and fries at a different window than your main entree, which is a strange and unique Philly tradition. The rest of Philadelphia is available to you a short ride away on the Broad Street subway line. Fans 5 It has been said that you can tell if the Eagles won or lost by just walking down Broad Street Monday morning as the mood of the city rides on the team. Philadelphia has a supremely passionate fan base that is seen as some of the most loyal, ardent supporters in the league. The city also draws the ire of many when the words “Philadelphia Fans” are uttered. They have a bad reputation and the stories have been repeated ad nauseam. While there is no arguing that there are plenty of obnoxious jerks at Eagles games who act like idiots, this is no different than what happens at many NFL games across the country. Additionally, these people at the games are in the significant minority. In terms of attending a game at The Linc wearing the jersey of the visiting team, you may get heckled, but as long as you are respectful, it is highly unlikely to run into any problems. I attended the game where the Eagles played the Saints and of the 30-40 people I saw wearing the Black & Gold, none of them were derided. Now, there is an exception as attending a division game rooting for the Cowboys, Giants or Commanders may not be the best idea. Eagles fans fill their stadium every Sunday and consistently rank in the Top 8 for NFL attendance by % of capacity. All the more impressive is the lack of empty seats at a game, in a day and age where it is easy to spot stadiums with open areas during a session of NFL RedZone. The crowd in Philadelphia turns The Linc into a very loud place and though they are quick to boo and get mad at their team, it is all because they care so much. That’s way better than sitting in a stadium where everyone is half-watching and playing on their phone. Access 4 The sports complex is located right off of I-95, with massive parking lots in the area. Even with big crowds, there should be no problem with access. Parking will not be cheap, but it will be convenient, as there are over 6,000 spaces available throughout eight lots at shockingly high prices. If using public transportation, you will likely find yourself using the only corporate-sponsored subway station that I know of, the AT&T; station of the Broad Street Line. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Philadelphia Eagles game is a very costly venture and while the entire NFL is expensive for the fan, it is even more so here. The expensive parking charge is hard to fathom and tickets range from $75 to $130. However, seats are snagged so fast, that it is likely fans need to use the secondary market and tickets start at $100. There are ways to save money though and using mass transit alone can save over $30. There are also standing room tickets which cost just $55. Despite the high prices, an Eagles game is quite an experience and this is a must-visit for football fans. Extras 5 In addition to serving as the Eagles home field, Lincoln Financial Field serves as the home of the Temple University Owls football games and it frequently hosts the Army-Navy game each fall. It also has served as the site of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships. In the plaza area near the north end zone, there is a building that leads to escalator access for suite holders. The entrance area is open to all fans and this section is a great spot that pays homage to team history. Spend some time here before the game to check out the team’s hall of fame, timeline and multiple murals. Also, be sure to check out the banners hanging from the rafters of the stadium. A $125 million renovation project paid by the team and league not only upgraded the stadium but added some nice personal touches. Among the additions: are historical murals, an expanded team store, upgraded WiFi, and a connecting bridge in the northeast corner of the stadium. Finally, one more point for “Fly Eagles Fly.” It is very catchy! Final Thoughts Lincoln Financial Field does many things, all of them very well. Most importantly, it gives the Eagles and their fans a place of their own for the first time in the long history of the franchise. It also gives Philadelphia a home-field advantage that can only help the long-term health of the team. A sports fan will enjoy themselves at Lincoln Financial Field, as finally, Philadelphia football has a place to be proud of.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium 475 Deacon Boulevard Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Wake Forest Demon Deacons website Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 31,500 Welcome to Deactown Along Tobacco Road, Wake Forest University joins Duke , North Carolina , and North Carolina State , v ying not just for prominence within the state of North Carolina, but also in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Wake Forest has a football history that dates back to the late 19th century – initially playing as an independent program starting in 1888, and then as a member of the Southern Conference beginning in 1936 until 1952, the Demon Deacons were charter members of the ACC when it was founded in 1953. Wake Forest has seen its fair share of highs and lows over the years. Despite being the smallest program in any of the Power 4 football conferences (the ACC, Big Ten, Big XII, and SEC), in recent years the Demon Deacs have shown the ability to hold their own in one of college football’s top conferences.   Food & Beverage   5 At first glance, the stadium concessions may seem rather standard, featuring several stands offering familiar options like hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, pizza, popcorn, peanuts, and candy. Given Pepsi’s popularity in the Carolinas, it is no surprise that this is primary beverage served at Allegacy Stadium, though several types of Gatorade are also available throughout. What is  a bit eye-opening walking around the concourse are the collection of food trucks along the exterior fence, which really gives fans a taste of the local fare. The food trucks at Allegacy Stadum include fried fish, gourmet hot dogs, soul food, wings, and paninis, while international foods include Greek, Nigerian, and Latin cusine, There is also a concerted focus on sweet treats, with Kona Ice, Chick-fil-A shakes, gourmet popsicles, and several flavors of kettle corn. Allegacy Stadium also has a well-stocked selection of alcoholic beverages, headlined by the Wake Forest and Fiddlin’ Fish collaborations “Roll the Quad” IPA and R&D Brewing light beer, “Deacon Brew”. Seltzers, premixed canned cocktails, wine, and hand mixed cocktails are also widely available around the stadium. Wake Forest does an excellent job at giving fans the basics when it comes to food and drink options, but then goes above and beyond with the numerous food trunks and extensive alcohol options.   Atmosphere   4 What would the college football experience be without tailgating? Wake Forest is no exception, with premade tailgating encampments set up and ready to go in the lots to the south and west of the stadium. The “do it yourself” tailgaters set up shop mostly along the grassy patches of the parking lot to the north, but several tailgating sites boast impressive arrays both in terms of size and the Wake Forest festive vibe. The tailgating scene here probably does not quite compare to some of the traditional southern football powers, but you can at least get a sense of this key pre-game tradition. Allegacy Stadium shares a similar structure to Indiana University’s Memorial Stadium and Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium , with slightly recessed sections running from the 30-yard line t o each end zone. Despite these structural similarities, the Deacon facility has its own unique features, including a strong use of brick, aligning with the high-class aesthetic of Wake Forest’s other athletic facilities and campus buildings. Deacon Hill, the grassy, tree-backed hillside in the southwest corner beneath the large videoboard, provides a picnic-like grassy area. However, unlike at minor league baseball stadiums, this area is not overrun by unsupervised groups of young fans. Between plays, interactive scoreboard features like the “Smile Cam” and logo shuffle game keep fans engaged. These features resemble those found in minor league baseball games, but do a good job filling downtime during the game. The Demon Deacon band, much like other collegiate marching bands, is also a big part of the in-game experience. The marching band’s smaller size, though, as well as the in-stadium music that plays over the stadium speakers, can tend to drown out the band during their interludes following first downs and big plays. Overall, Wake Forest offers a solid Power 4 college football experience, albeit just on a smaller scale. While the stadium’s off-campus location does take a bit away from the excitement, it is not an dealbreaker to the overall experience.   Neighborhood   4 Although Allegacy Stadium is located off campus, it sits within a cluster of Wake Forest’s other athletic venues, inclu ding the Wake Forest Tennis Center, David F. Couch Ballpark  (baseball), and Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum  (basketball). The Winston-Salem State Fairgrounds also neighbor the football stadium, which in part creates to bit of disconnect it from being a campus facility. The stadium is just three miles from Winston-Salem’s city center, where downtown’s 4th Street is lined with restaurants featuring sidewalk dining and multiple hotel options. Closer to the stadium is the Innovation Quarter, a hub of research and development that has re-purposed many former R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company buildings into breweries, restaurants, shops, and green spaces. The coming years will see a significant upgrade to the area just west of the stadium, as the section from University Parkway to the front steps of Allegacy Stadium will be developed into a mixed-use development to be called The Grounds  – this will undoubtedly add to the game day atmosphere that surrounds Allegacy Stadium. Winston-Salem definitely does not have a college town feel to it, but the Wake campus and its nearby athletic facilities do not make you feel as if you have the skyline of the city breathing down your neck, either.   Fans   3 Each side of Allegacy Stadium does appear to have patches of emptiness in terms of attendance, but when you take into account the large number of fans who sit on the grassy berm below the scoreboard, who would fill in many of these openings, on the whole I would say Deamon Deacon fans do a good job filling the venue. With an enrollment of just under 5,500 undergraduate students, Wake Forest is the smallest school in any of the Power 4 conferences. Despite the size of the student body, however, Wake students do their part showing up and filling the student section, but staying throughout the game is another story – as the game moves into the second half, the attendance in the student section definitely takes a significant hit. Fans are supportive of the Deacs and responsive to the ups and downs of the game, but it is disappointing, even in the midst of a tight game, to see the mass exodus of students following half time – this does take away from the overall atmosphere.   Access   3 Wake Forest University, not to be confused with Wake Forest, North Carolina, where the university was originally located, is a short drive from downtown Winston-Salem. The area is fairly well served by both local and regional transportation. The larger surrounding area has is known as The Triad, and includes Winston-Salem, High Point, and Greensboro. Interstate access to Allegacy Stadium is as straightforward as can be, from I-85 to the south, I-73 or I-74 to the north, or I-40 from the east. Due to the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene throughout western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, those heading east from western destinations will be significantly detoured due to interstate closures for the foreseeable future, until at least mid to late next year. When getting to and from Allegacy Stadium, as would be expected at just about any major sporting event, there will be delays involved. Your best bet is, if possible, to get there early and try to stay late. There is enough parking in the lots around Allegacy Stadium to leave just a short walk to the venue, and for those parking in the lots adjacent to the state fairgrounds, a tunnel goes under the road, so as not to impede traffic and also to protect pedestrians. Fans can enter the facility through any of the ten gates leading into the main seating area – this high number of entries gets fans in quickly, and limits backups getting into the stadium. The McCreary Tower entrance does create a bit tighter of a walkway, but nothing that feels overly crowded, although it does take some patience to navigate. For the most part, though, the concourse is rather wide open, especially along the northeast and southeast sides of the stadium.   Return on Investment   4 It is a bit difficult to pinpoint the overall return on investment for Deamon Deacons football, as much of the ticket price depends on the specific game on the schedule/that week’s opponent. Tickets for lesser conference rivals can be had for as low as $20, while bigger name teams or events such as Parents’ Weekend can start at $40 to $55 before fees. Parking rates, however, are consistent with other schools of this size at $30. There are also a handful of independent lots in the area that go for $20, and free parking is available at 2400 Reynolda Road with a shuttle to the stadium. Concession prices are consistent with what would be found at similar stadiums. The food truck offerings are a bit more expensive, but fans are paying for a higher quality of food there, and do receive decent-sized portions. While there might not be a top notch value week in and week out, given the varying ticket prices based on the opponent or promotion, there definitely is the ability to not have to break the bank to go to a Wake Forest football game.   Extras   5 Prior to gates opening, the Deactown Fan Zone at McCreary Plaza has inflatables to entertain young fans, a handful of vendors giving out free promotional items, and a refreshment trailer selling various beers and seltzers, as well as a large video wall to watch early games of interest. A live band also plays to entertain fans during pregame. Two hours and fifteen minutes before kickoff, the Deacon Walk through the plaza of McCreary Tower takes place – the start of the walk is signified by the revving of a motorcycle engine in the distance, as the band belts out the school’s fight song. Accompanied by the ruffles of cheer poms, the Deacon mascot then slowly leads the team into the stadium while passing trough the band, cheer squad, and fans. The main entrance through McCreary Plaza recognizes the Demon Deacons’ conference championships and bowl victories, with large displays and plaques of the box scores from the games. One of the most iconic buildings on Wake Forest’s campus is Wait Chapel – the chimes of the chapel’s bell, along with the revving of the motorcycle, are both played following big plays – this is a nice way to bring the campus feel into the stadium. Following the game, win or lose, the team gathers in front of the band and student section to pay tribute to the University by singing the alma mater. Winning does spark quite the on-campus celebration, however, as it has become tradition to roll the trees of the quad with toilet paper.   Final Thoughts The Wake Forest football game day experience is not one that will ever compete with the elite college football programs, but that seems to be just fine. What Wake does provide is a cozy atmosphere for college football – in a time when many football programs are focused on building the biggest and most impressive facilities, Wake has done well to focus more on providing a well refined college football experience in one of the most intimate settings in the country.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Skylands Stadium 94 Championship Pl Augusta, NJ 07822 Sussex County Miners website Skylands Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 4,200 Mining Success at Skylands Stadium In Augusta, New Jersey, in the extreme northwestern corner of the state, you will find Skylands Stadium, home of the Sussex County Miners baseball team. Until 2006, Skylands Stadium was home to the New Jersey Cardinals of the New York-Penn League. The Cardinals relocated to Pennsylvania and became the State College Spikes , but baseball would return the next year with the Sussex County Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League. The Skyhawks folded after the 2010 season, but baseball would once again return in 2015 with the Sussex County Miners, again joining the Can-Am League. After the 2019 season, the Can-Am League merged with the Frontier League under the latter's name. This would have been effective for the 2020 season, but it was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Miners instead began play in the Frontier League in 2021. Food & Beverage 5 There are several concession stands scattered throughout Skylands Stadium, offering many options, some classic, some unique. You will of course, find all the usual options at these stands such as chicken tenders, burgers, and hot dogs (the latter also coming in a deep-fried variety), but there are some other options as well such as a pickle on a stick and honey waffle fries. Be warned that the overhead signs above the window only show some of the options, there are additional boards at the back of the stand with more to choose from. Double S Smokehouse maintains a restaurant in the stadium that is open year-round, as well as a stand down the right field line. Here, you will find freshly made barbecue options such as a brisket sandwich, St. Louis ribs, pulled pork, and mac and cheese, with an assortment of homemade sauces to choose from. Alcohol is sold at several stands for those of age, but Double S has unique cocktails and mixed drinks as well. Most notable is their In a Pickle, which contains vodka, pickle juice, lime, and simple syrup. For those with a sweet tooth, Yuengling Ice Cream has a stand that offers the usual flavors, in your choice of cone, cup, or helmet, as well as one or two unique flavors per game. When Stadium Journey visited late in the season, they had a pumpkin pie flavor which was pumpkin ice cream with pieces of pie crust, but the exact selections may vary by game. In addition to the usual bottled water and other soft drinks, some of the stands sell hot drinks such as various coffee varieties and hot apple cider. Atmosphere 4 The architectural style at Skylands Stadium is mostly rural and rustic with a splash of Jersey Shore thrown in. The red-painted wood panels on the facade call to mind the many barns in the area, and the team store known as "The Company Store" has a rustic wooden exterior. Bright lights flashing "Open" welcome you to the Double S Smokehouse stand, and the Yuengling stand looks like an ice cream shop you could walk in on the Jersey Shore boardwalk, but other than that, the architecture is quite fitting for this rural part of New Jersey. An on-field emcee and superfans scattered throughout the crowd get the fans hyped up, and there are various promotions throughout the evening, such as a t-shirt toss set to the music of Zombie Nation Music, and sound effects are played during breaks in the action, even between pitches, which can get annoying at times. A buff miner mascot named Herbie roams the stands interacting with fans. The seating bowl itself consists of a middle ring that you will enter from the concourse, with seats above and below. If your section includes a double letter (for instance FF), you will be seated above the concourse. If it includes a single letter (such as D), you will be seated below the concourse. The park is small enough that all seats have a great view of the action. Neighborhood 3 Sussex County is far removed from the rest of New Jersey, both culturally and geographically, and the area surrounding the stadium is mostly farmland. You will pass by many farms and maybe even some cows as you come into town, with some of those farms selling ice cream made right there. Other options include Yetter's Diner just down the street from the stadium, and, if you are unable to grab any inside, you can always go to the Double S Smokehouse restaurant at the stadium. Fans 3 Sussex County ranks towards the bottom of the Frontier League in attendance with about 1,600 fans a game, but those who do show up, are passionate, vocal, and into what is happening on the field. Some of them to go every single home game, with a few even going to the away games. They will participate in the chants, get on the umpire's case after a bad call, and generally be unafraid to make their feelings known. They are there to support their hometown team, and despite the relatively small crowds, it can get loud here. Access 3 Skylands Stadium is located in rural Sussex County in northwest New Jersey. The ballpark is located near the Sussex County Fairgrounds, near the intersection of routes 206 and 15. The nearest interstate, I-80, is about half an hour’s drive from here. It is the only interstate highway to enter Sussex County, and only at the extreme southern end. I-84 passes just north of the county near the tri-point between New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, but never enters New Jersey at all. You can take Exit 1 in New York just before the state line and follow the signs for New Jersey. This is still about a half-hour's drive. No matter how you get here, at least the last few miles will be on rural country roads. Only part of the parking lot is paved, with the remainder being gravel. Be careful if parking there. The restrooms in the stadium are small and can occasionally have lines, with the facilities being old and not in the best condition. Return on Investment 3 Lower-level tickets at Skylands Stadium are priced at $20, and upper-level tickets are $17. This is on the high level for tickets, although the free parking is nice. Concessions are on the high end, although the food is high-quality adding to the value. Overall, the value of a Sussex County Miners game is about average. Extras 3 Look for the many statues and art installations in and around the stadium. A globe statue is located outside the entrance and is lit up at night as fans leave the ballpark. A jack-o-lantern wearing sunglasses is located in the stadium to promote the Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Experience in the ballpark every October, and there is a statue of a baseball glove as well. A second star for the stadium architecture - a rustic, rural style with a flash of Jersey Shore. The team store is also worthy of an extra, both for its merchandise and its design like a rustic wooden building. Final Thoughts Skylands Stadium may be far away from everywhere everyone thinks of when they think of New Jersey, but it is still a great place to watch a baseball game. Between the unique and fitting architectural style and all the on-field and off-field ways the team promotes the fan experience, a Sussex County Miners game is a great way to spend a summer evening.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Sports Backers Stadium 100 Avenue of Champions Richmond, VA 23230 VCU Rams website Sports Backers Stadium website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 3,250 The Ram’s Backers Although sports fans in Richmond, Virginia may not have heard of Sports Backers Stadium or been inside, many of them have seen it even if they do not realize it. This is because the stadium is located across the parking lot from The Diamond, home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team. Many fans have seen the exterior of the stadium while at a Squirrels game. However, Sports Backers Stadium is more than just that “other” stadium in the parking lot – it is home to the college soccer team of Virginia Commonwealth University, also known as VCU. The Rams men’s soccer program has enjoyed some success, making the tournament six times between 1997 and 2004, culminating with a quarterfinal appearance in the latter year. In the middle of this winning streak, the Rams moved into Sports Backers Stadium in 1999. Located about three miles from VCU’s campus, the stadium has been their home ever since. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at Sports Backers Stadium to the left of the main entrance, which serves a decent range of food. Hot dogs, candy, popcorn, kettle corn, hot pretzels, and more snacks are available, and, extremely unusually for college soccer, alcohol is as well. There will typically be a concession special which will vary by game and may include items not normally available – when Stadium Journey visited, fans could purchase taquitos and a margarita for $12. Outside food and beverage cannot be brought into the stadium. Bizarrely, there was a food truck parked in the parking lot when we visited, but food purchased there could not be brought in. Atmosphere 4 Sports Backers Stadium is a nicely built stadium compared to many used for college soccer. Walking through the main gates will put you on a concourse, and you then walk through a portal into the bleachers and your seat. Most of the seats are bleachers, but there are some chairbacks near midfield. Seating is all general admission, but you should have no problem getting a chairback for most games no matter when you arrive. The stands are separated from the field by a running track, which makes the sightlines worse than they would be at many places, but you can still see the action well. A scoreboard with video capabilities is located at one end, but the actual score graphic only takes up a small portion of the screen and can be hard to read. The Rams’ mascot, Rodney, hangs out with fans in the stands during games and tries to get the crowd involved. As at many soccer stadiums, the energy here is really created by the fans. Rams fans are rowdy, and when they get involved, the atmosphere here can be phenomenal. Neighborhood 3 There is not much to do in the immediate vicinity of The Diamond, but your best bet is to head to the Carytown neighborhood a couple of miles away. There is where one can find numerous businesses and restaurants. Carytown Burges & Fries is one local favorite, as is the Galaxy Diner. Those looking for other entertainment while in town can check out the Byrd Theatre, also in Carytown. History buffs might enjoy the numerous Civil War sites located in and around Richmond, which was of course the former capital of the Confederacy and played a major role in the war. Fans 4 VCU fans may not fill up the rather spacious stadium, but they are a rowdy bunch. From the start of the game when the Rams are introduced, they will be loudly cheering their teams. During big moments in the game and after VCU goals, the fans will stomp on the metal bleachers, clap, and shout, and it can get quite loud here. The large size means Sports Backers Stadium almost never fills up all the way, but the fans here can still make it quite an intimidating place for visiting teams to play. Access 4 Sports Backers Stadium is located conveniently just off I-95 via Arthur Ashe Boulevard. Parking is available in the lots of The Diamond and is normally free, but there may be a charge for early season games when the Flying Squirrels play the same day. Getting into and around the stadium is easy via the spacious concourses. Restrooms are under the bleachers and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowds. Getting out of Sports Backers Stadium after the game is easy enough as well, as the traffic flow of the lot was designed for much larger crowds at Flying Squirrels games. Although the VCU campus is located three miles away, there is a free shuttle bus taking students to and from the game. However, this is not available to members of the public coming from Downtown Richmond. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $7 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors. VCU students get in free. This is a bit on the high end for college soccer, where many venues are free, but the price isn’t outrageous and this is a pretty nice stadium. Ultimately, the $7 is still a good deal. Extras 2 There is a marketing table on the concourse which gives away programs, posters, and other items. A second star for all the promotional nights and giveaways VCU offers throughout the season, such as Ted Lasso Night and Trick or Treat. Final Thoughts Although most fans in Richmond just know Sports Backers Stadium as that soccer field next to The Diamond, it is a very nice stadium in its own right as well. Although college soccer will never be as big here as the Rams’ legendary basketball team, a VCU soccer game can still be a great experience on a fall evening.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Gillette Stadium 1 Patriot Place Foxborough, MA 02035 New England Patriots website Gillette Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 65,878 The Patriots’ Place   The New England Patriots enjoyed an unprecedented run of success over the first two decades of the 21st century. They won six Super Bowls and played in nine during that span. Recent years have seen the team return to the depths of the NFL standings as the team moves on from the Brady/Belichick dynasty. Patriots fans hope this decline does not mimic the franchise’s early years when they were one of the league’s most dysfunctional teams, consistently landing at the bottom of the standings and making headlines for all of the wrong reasons.   The early Patriots were nomads, roaming around Boston and beyond looking for a home. Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Alumni Stadium all served as home fields during the team’s formative years. The Patriots even played home games in Birmingham, AL and San Diego, CA. When the team built themselves a permanent home, it was the substandard Schaefer/Sullivan/Foxboro Stadium. Rumors of relocation hounded the team for years until Robert Kraft, a longtime fan and season ticket holder, bought the team and stadium in the 90s.   In 2002 Gillette Stadium, a $325 million privately funded stadium opened right next door to its predecessor. The Patriots immediately began to make the area not only a football venue, but an entertainment, dining, and shopping destination. In 2006 construction began on Patriot Place, an open-air shopping center located adjacent to the stadium. Patriot Place has proven to be so successful that imitators have begun to sprout up at stadiums around the country, and have become almost a standard feature in new stadium designs.   Food & Beverage 5   With an active tailgating scene and dozens of dining choices located just steps from Gillette Stadium’s front door, you may not expect much from the facility’s concessions. While Gillette Stadium may come up short on signature food items and high-end options, expanding variety and upgrading quality has been a focus in recent years.   Stands are located around the outer edge of the Gillette Stadium concourse, organized by the types of foods they offer. You may have to do a little searching to find what you want. All the stadium basics are covered, with stands that sell pizza, burgers, sausages, chicken tenders and BBQ ringing the field. Portable carts selling drinks and snack foods line the inner edge of the concourses.   Pepsi products are featured at Gillette Stadium. As you may expect, the beer game is strong here, with national brands lining the menu boards alongside dozens of local craft favorites. For the most extensive selection of local beers, check out the Taproom or Draft Kings Lounge.   A complete guide to Gillette Stadium’s concessions can be found here .   Atmosphere 5   The experience at Gillette is dominated by the new 22,000 square-foot scoreboard and lighthouse on the northern end of the stadium. It can be hard to keep your focus on the game with such a large, clear view of the game available. The scoreboard contains 20 million pixels and measures over half an acre.   Highlights of the Patriots game day experience include the End Zone Militia firing their muskets after every New England score. The elaborate pregame show has the team taking the field to Carmina Burana, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” and AC-DC’s “For Those About to Rock.” You might be ready to run through a wall yourself after this opening. Over the years several social gathering areas have been built into Gillette Stadium, including the Optum Field Lounge, the Bud Light Party Deck and Encore Boston Harbor Terrace, providing alternative viewpoints for fans to gather and watch the action.   The tailgating scene in Foxboro doesn’t get the love that other places in the league get, but Patriots fans can hang with any fanbase in the league when it comes to pregame parties. Gillette’s rural location means there’s lots of room around for, well, lots. Cars line up along Route One at sunrise waiting for parking lots to open. While much more family friendly than the experience at the old Foxboro Stadium, a Patriots game is still a fun time. If tailgating isn’t your thing, you can always check out Patriot Place before or after kickoff.   While Patriots fans are still supportive of the team and the rebuild, it will be interesting to see how long they will remain patient. While older fans can remember the days of the Sullivan family ownership and the “Patsies,” a significant portion of the fanbase has never experienced consistent losing before.   Neighborhood 4   Gillette Stadium sits on what once was a lonely stretch of Route One which contained only a harness racing track and a trailer park. Today the location is the home of Patriot Place, an open-air shopping center located mostly on the site of the old Schaefer Stadium. Initially consisting of a single strip mall, it has grown to now include a four-star hotel, entertainment complex and outpatient health center.   Fans visiting Foxboro can choose between numerous eateries ranging from casual dining to fine fare, from brew pubs to fancy steakhouses. Fans looking for entertainment options before or after a Patriots game can visit Splitsville Bowling Alley or Cinema de Lux, or take in some live music at Showcase Live! Fans looking to stay at Patriot Place will find a Hilton Garden Inn and Renaissance Hotel steps from the stadium. Visit the Patriot Place website  for more information.   Fans 4   Patriots fans have certainly become spoiled with the success the team has had. The Brady/Belichick years marked an unprecedented run of success in the NFL and six championships. As the team embarks on what will surely be a lengthy rebuild, fans have had to come to grips with win-loss records not seen around here in decades. Still, support has not fallen off a cliff. Yet.   The team still advertises a sellout streak that dates back to the opening of Gillette Stadium. However, prices are starting to fall on the resale market, and empty seats can be found around the facility. It will be interesting to see how long fans will remain patient with the rebuild.   Access 3   Gillette Stadium is located in the small town of Foxborough, MA (alternatively spelled Foxboro), a town of almost 19,000 residents situated about halfway between Boston and Providence, RI. This location, picked for the original Schaefer Stadium due to its apparent convenience at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 495, has always had problems with accessibility.   Gillette Stadium is located on Route One, a busy four-lane road. It is the only way into and out of the stadium complex. As you might imagine, traffic is extremely heavy on game days and can back up for miles in both directions. The Patriots constantly tweak their systems to try and get visitors moving as quickly as possible, but no plan seems to consistently work.   The Foxboro MBTA station has a stop behind Gillette Stadium, but it provides only one train in either direction, to Boston and Providence.   Fans who have not visited Gillette in a while will notice changes in the parking system. The lots closest to the stadium are now reserved for prepaid parking only. Fans arriving on game day will park on the opposite side of Route One, a bit of a walk from the facility. The perk to parking further away is that these lots are now free of charge. A complete guide to Gillette Stadium parking can be found here .   Once arriving at the stadium, fans will enter through one of three gates. Concourses, while busy, are large enough to move about without issue. The renovations to the north end of the stadium have improved flow greatly. Three sets of ramps lead to upper levels of the stadium. There is standing room available at certain points on all levels of the facility. Handicapped seating is plentiful.   The concourse is filled with concession stands, both permanent and portable. Lines can be long, particularly at halftime. Restrooms are plentiful and clean considering their busy usage. Just time your visits wisely. Be aware that Gillette Stadium is a cashless facility with a fairly aggressive clear bag policy . What can and cannot be brought into the stadium is advertised in all parking lots. Pay attention and save yourself a long walk back to your car.   Any veteran fan of the Patriots will tell you that the key to avoiding the legendary Gillette traffic is to arrive early and plan to stay a bit after the game. Luckily, with Patriot Place next to the stadium and the excellent tailgating scene, this is not the worst plan. The Patriots will even pay you to stick around and let the traffic ease. Read on…   Return on Investment 2   For the 2023 season the Patriots ranked fifth in the NFL in terms of cost according to the Team Marketing Report Fan Cost Index. Driving the high prices are tickets and concessions, which land near the top of the NFL. While demand for tickets may have diminished a bit with the team’s struggles recently, it is still tough to find a ticket under $100 on the resale market.   Parking at Gillette Stadium has undergone some drastic changes in recent years. Now stay with me, this might get complicated. The lots on the stadium (east) side of Route One must be purchased in advance. Prepaid spots are guaranteed, and cost $25. Parking on the west side of Route One is now free (unbelievable, right?). There are also “delayed release” lots, from which you cannot leave for 75 minutes after the game. If you choose to park here, the Patriots will reward you with a $50 Visa gift card. Privately owned lots along Route One charge anywhere from $30-$60 to park. Complete parking information can be found here .   Extras 5   Located at the north end of the stadium above the team store, the Patriots Hall of Fame houses team memorabilia from throughout their history. Among the notable pieces here are the team’s six Super Bowl trophies and the snowplow from the infamous “plow game” in 1982.   The End Zone Militia has a vantage point many Patriot fans dream of. From their post just beyond the north end zone, they fire off a 21-gun salute after every New England score.   The renovations to the north end of the stadium deserve an extra point. The new lighthouse (which now actually looks like a lighthouse) is the focal point of the stadium. The lighthouse is accessible to fans during off hours and features views of the Boston and Providence skylines. The north entry plaza features new stadium access, concession stands, social gathering areas and vantagepoints. And let us not forget to mention the largest outdoor scoreboard in the country.   The display of the Patriots’ six Super Bowl banners in the south end zone compliments the new north end zone renovations.   The surrounding live/work/play complex around Gillette Stadium has become a model for newer facilities around the world. It’s become a standard feature for any new sporting facility design, with more features added all the time. Final Thoughts   It's been a difficult transition in New England as the Patriots return to mediocracy after two decades of ruling the NFL. However, the recent lack of success on the field has not diminished Gillette Stadium’s influence on modern facility design or fan interest in the team. Outfitted with the largest outdoor scoreboard in the country and a modern new design, Gillette Stadium remains a premier, if somewhat overshadowed, NFL stadium.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Sodexo Field 40 University Drive Rindge, NH 03461 Franklin Pierce Ravens football website Sodexo Field website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 1,000 Football with an Extra “H”   Franklin Pierce University is a private liberal arts college located in the small town of Rindge, New Hampshire. Founded in 1962, the school is named after New Hampshire resident Franklin Pierce, who was the 14th President of the United States. Today, the campus has an enrollment of over 1,700 students who study in 25 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs. Among the school’s notable alumni is famed animal behavior researcher Temple Grandin.   Franklin Pierce has had some athletic success over their history. The women’s soccer team has won five national championships, and the men’s soccer team has won three national titles of their own. The Ravens compete in the Northeast-10 Conference, a Division Two association consisting of teams located throughout New England and New York.   Franklin Pierce first sponsored football in 2012, competing in the Collegiate Sprint Football League from 2013-2017. For those who are not familiar with Sprint football, it is played with identical rules as regular college football, but all players must weigh under 178.0 pounds. After a transitional season, the Ravens joined Division Two. Over their first four seasons in D-2, the Ravens have posted a record of 7-34.   Food & Beverage 2    There is a small tent located to the north of the main grandstand. The concessions are staffed by, and proceeds raised here go towards the other athletic teams at Franklin Pierce. On the night of Stadium Journey’s visit, the men’s hockey team was operating the concession stand.   There’s a basic menu featured here, with freshly grilled hot dogs and burgers, assorted candy and chips, and cans of Pepsi products making up the entire menu. On the plus side, no item costs more than four dollars. You can purchase a combo meal featuring a dog or burger with a bag of chips and a drink for just five or six dollars.   Atmosphere 3   Franklin Pierce is a small school in a small town. So, you may be surprised by the support and game day atmosphere here at Sodexo Field. There’s a fairly active tailgating scene here at Franklin Pierce, highlighted by the party tents located atop the hill on the north side of the facility. Fans who purchase these tents can simply pull right up to their tent, pull out their gear, and start the party while the game goes on below them.   For those of us who cannot afford a season pass in the VIP section, a Ravens game at Sodexo Field is still a pretty entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening. There’s a good turnout from the student body, who are into the game and boisterous in their support. The Raven’s marching band sets up shop on the berm at the north end of the stadium, and the cheer and dance squads keep the energy up throughout the game. You may even see Rocky the Raven roaming the sidelines. A small scoreboard in the northwest corner of the facility provides basic game information.   While there is a lot of fun to be had at a Ravens game, there are some parts of the game day experience that hold down the score a bit. One of these things is the lack of unobstructed views at the facility. Fences surround the field, with windshields tied to all these fences. The presence of the fences, the teams and tents on the sidelines, and the combination of fans standing along the fence and the foot traffic in front of the grandstand throughout the game make it difficult to see everything unless you’re one of the lucky fans sitting in the top few rows of the tiny grandstand.   Another aspect in which the Ravens gameday experience struggles is the sound system. The music is played at a modest volume, while the PA announcer tends to scream his way through the game. Fans noted that music was played whenever a player was down on the field injured, which is a definite breach of etiquette at most venues.   Neighborhood 1   Franklin Pierce University is a self-contained campus located in a rural area of a small town. There’s not a whole lot in the immediate area of the campus that will attract visiting fans. Emma’s 321 Pub and Kitchen provides solid bar food and draft beer, and Hometown Diner is another great option for a hearty breakfast before heading over to watch some football. Lodging options nearby include the Monadnock Inn, Woodbound Inn, and the Benjamin Prescott Inn.   Attractions near Franklin Pierce include Monadnock Mountain, which features miles of hiking trails to its summit. Tourists flock to this part of the country every fall to take in the breathtaking colors of the fall foliage. A Franklin Pierce football game could be a fun part of a weekend of leaf-peeping.   Fans 3   Stadium Journey visited Sodexo Field on a beautiful September Saturday night with a reported crowd of 345 in attendance. This appears to be a representative crowd. What the Franklin Pierce crowd may lack in quantity, it makes up for in quality.   The fans, made up of friends and family of the players, along with a sprinkling of locals, are energetic and strong in their support of the home team. There’s also a good amount of sportsmanship on display and respect for the visitors. The student body shows up in good numbers, cheering on their classmates and filling the berm with noise. As mentioned earlier, it’s a fun, laid-back time.   Access 3   Franklin Pierce University is located in the small town of Rindge, New Hampshire, a town with just over 6,000 residents in the southwestern part of the state. Sodexo Field is at the southern edge of the campus, adjacent to Pappas Field . Driving is the only way you’ll get to this rural campus, with the nearest highway about 20-30 minutes away. State Routes 119 and 202 will get you near campus.   Parking is available near Sodexo Field, with the lots adjacent to the facility reserved for season ticket holders and VIPs. Other fans will need to utilize the lots around campus. Just be ready to deal with some hills as you approach the stadium.   Seating consists of a small grandstand on the east (home) side of the field and a small set of bleachers on the west (visiting) side. All seats are metal bleachers without backs. Additionally, there is standing room on three sides of the field. Unfortunately, some fans choose to stand at the fence right in front of the grandstand, obstructing the views of fans in the first few rows of the bleachers. Fans requiring special access will be disappointed with the lack of accessible locations.   Many fans choose to bring their chairs or blankets and sit on the large hill at the north end of the facility. With the tailgating tents behind you and the band next to you on the berm, this might be the best place on the grounds to watch the action.   The grounds are well-manicured, with paved sidewalks leading to all areas of the facility. Small restrooms are located on the ground floor of the press box building behind the main grandstand, with port-a-johns located around the facility to help with wait times.   Return on Investment 5   Tickets to Ravens football games are priced at ten dollars for general admission seating, with seniors and children admitted for five dollars. Franklin Pierce students are admitted for free. Parking is free of charge in the lots around the athletic fields (just be ready to climb some hills). Concessions are very reasonably priced, visiting Sodexo Field, an affordable entertainment option for local sports fans.   Extras 1   Banners honoring Franklin Pierce’s national champion soccer teams are hung on the façade of the press box, as well as on the windshields on the far side of the field.   While this does not earn an extra point, a Stadium Journey reader, who is a Franklin Pierce alumnus, pointed out that the name of the field is spelled wrong in the facility’s entryway. As you enter the field, look at the welcome arch above your head. Sedexo Field is spelled “Sedexho,” which is the former spelling of the sponsoring company. Sodexo, a French food service and facility management company, dropped the “H” from its name in 2008 because, in certain languages, an “X“ followed by an “H” is difficult to pronounce. A decade and a half later, the misspelled sign remains. The scoreboard, meanwhile, has Sedexo spelled correctly. It’s one of those things you can’t unsee once you see it.   Final Thoughts   Sodexo Field is typical of other small school facilities in this part of the country. While it may be small, there is a lot of fun to be found here in the foothills of New Hampshire. Just be ready to climb, and please excuse the spelling.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 O’Keefe Gym 151 Sixth Street N.W. Atlanta, GA 30313 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets website O'Keefe Gym website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 1,500 POINT TECH! Originally the gymnasium of O’Keefe High School, which opened in 1923, Georgia Tech was given control of the building from Atlanta Public Schools in the 1960s, after which it remained home to both high school and middle school teams until 1973. Georgia Tech began sponsoring volleyball as a varsity sport in 1980, playing their home matches at the then Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Yellow Jacket Volleyball would move next door to O’Keefe Gym in 1995, just before the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. While the team plays nearly the entirety of their schedule at O’Keefe, they will play a match or two back at their original home, the now McCamish Pavilion . Since the inception of volleyball at Georgia Tech, they have played as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), winning five regular season titles (1994, 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2005) and two ACC tournament titles (1995 and 2002).   Food & Beverage   2 Georgia Tech serves a rather basic menu comprised simply of hot dogs, nacho chips with cheese sauce, and Bavarian pretzels. Candy and snacks are also available. Soft drinks come from the Coca-Cola family of beverages. The alcoholic beverage selection is more extensive, featuring domestic beers, Georgia Tech-branded beers like New Realm Brewing’s Ale of an Engineer and Helluvienna Lager, and Hazy Like a Fox IPA, along with Bud Light and Nutrl seltzers, wines from Stella Rosa, and a Sauvignon Blanc spritzer.   Atmosphere   5 O’Keefe Gym is a great example of a historic building being preserved and repurposed for present-day use. To call O’Keefe Gym cozy would be a massive understatement – given its limitation of space and near-capacity crowds nearly every match, crowds are shoulder-to-shoulder. The gym’s acoustics enhance the energy of the fans and band, producing an electric atmosphere, but can muffle in-house speaker calls, making them a bit difficult to understand. The Georgia Tech pep band plays an integral role in creating a college atmosphere with their in-match drops and performances. Every point is celebrated with music clips, and the arena announcer quickly calls out “POINT TECH!” as the band responds with an equally rhythmic drumbeat. It truly is a fun atmosphere that is easy to get caught up in.   Neighborhood   5 Situated in the shadows of the Midtown Atlanta skyline, just a step out of O’Keefe Gym leaves no doubt you are in the heart of Atlanta. O’Keefe Gym is neighbored by McCamish Pavilion and Mewborn Field, Tech’s basketball and softball venues, respectively. This is also where the main concentration of Georgia Tech’s athletic facilities are located; the gym directly abuts Atlanta’s Downtown Connector. The main concentration of restaurants in the area can be found across the highway, just a short walk across the 5th Street bridge. A bit further, but in the neighborhood to the north of campus, is one of Atlanta’s top pizzerias, Antico’s Neapolitan-style pizza, about a mile to the west of campus. Also less than a mile away is Vortex, known for its specialty burgers. Just be aware some of the décor at Vortex might not be the most family-friendly. For those seeking more entertainment, Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park is only a short distance away from O’Keefe Gym – the park is home to attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.   Fans   4 Tech fans pack O’Keefe Gym close to its 1,500-seat capacity on a match-by-match basis and create a lively college volleyball environment. Each point is enthusiastically celebrated with “POINT TECH!” and for set points, fans rise to their feet and circle their index fingers above their heads with a synchronous “oh” in anticipation of calling out “POINT-TECH!”. Rallies with a lot of action save, and flat-out hustle plays are commonly celebrated with a standing ovation. In general, Tech fans are appreciative of good volleyball and quick to celebrate the success of the Yellow Jackets.   Access   3 Reaching Midtown Atlanta for an evening match can be challenging due to Atlanta’s notorious traffic, especially on the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector. Although match start times aim to avoid the worst of rush hour, traffic can still be problematic. Parking can be found in the lot behind McCamish Pavilion or in the smaller lot down 6th Street. Friday night parking especially can create some angst when football plays at home the following day since signs are posted regarding on-campus towing starting at 8 pm on Friday. Assurances are made that despite the posted signs, ticketing and towing do not begin in this area until well after the match ends. The lot on 6th Street does provide the most direct access to O’Keefe Gym while parking at McCamish  requires traversing several sets of stairs, going in through the O’Keefe Building, then exiting to access the front doors of the gymnasium. Upon entry, the lobby houses a long concession and apparel stand that makes an already narrow area feel even tighter. Once in the gym, a large game operations and media table at the center court makes accessing the far side of the seating a bit challenging during the match – the layout of the facility and playing surface requires fans to exit to the lobby to get to seats on the opposite side of the venue. These inconveniences can be attributed to playing in such a historic facility, where there simply is not enough space to accommodate any sort of concourses.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets go for $12, which seems to be consistent with most Division-I volleyball programs. If purchasing tickets online, many matches may show up as sold out, but if you are willing to take the chance, there are often tickets still available for purchase at the door. Concession pricing is consistent with what would be found at any other athletic event on campus – there is not necessarily the feel of items being overpriced when considering concession prices in general and during sports events.   Extras   4 During player introductions, the starters take the court and throw mini volleyballs to fans in the crowd. Georgia Tech’s ever-present mascot, Buzz, makes his way around the stands, interacting with practically every fan in attendance. Banners recognizing Georgia Tech’s All-Americans and ACC and NCAA tournament successes cover roughly three-fourths of the wall space of O’Keefe Gym. After the match, stick around for a bit to witness one of the great but lesser-known traditions in college athletics, namely the Georgia Tech band playing “The Horse” – the band, spirit squad, and fans bob-and-slide while the song is played and then scatter throughout the stands at the break to finish the remainder of the performance. It is a fun way to end the evening.   Final Thoughts There is no denying that O’Keefe Gym might be one of the most intimate Division-I volleyball settings in the nation. There certainly is not a lot in the way of amenities or comforts at Georgia Tech volleyball matches, but this is part of what makes O’Keefe Gym such a special place for Yellow Jacket Volleyball.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Lenovo Center 1400 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 27607 Carolina Hurricanes website Lenovo Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 18,680 Rock You Like A Hurricane Editor's note: On September 19, 2024, PNC Arena was renamed as the Lenovo Center. This review, written before the name change, reflects the previous name. The Carolina Hurricanes began playing at PNC Arena when the building opened in 1999. Prior to that, the Hurricanes played at the Greensboro Coliseum during their first two years in North Carolina. The facility has gone by three names since it opened: Entertainment and Sports Arena, the RBC Center, and now the PNC Arena. The arena is located in West Raleigh and sits next door to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State football team. PNC Arena boasts 18,680 red seats for hockey and is also the home of the NC State basketball team. Even though the venue is approaching 20 years old, it is still a modern arena for NHL hockey.  Food & Beverage 4 PNC Arena offers a wide selection of food and beverage choices, even though the prices are a bit high. However, there is no shortage of concession choices as you make your way through the concourses. The permanent stands offer your generic stadium food: hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and peanuts. Bottled Pepsi products are sold at these stands and Aquafina bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and Gatorade.  Also, throughout the arena, you can find Cinnabon cinnamon buns and various ice cream choices. Alcoholic beverages are offered in two sizes. If you are a fan of BBQ, your best bet is to check out one of the several North Carolina BBQ stands scattered throughout the arena. These stands offer two favorites of mine: a BBQ sandwich and BBQ nachos. Pair these with a Cheerwine, and you are in business.   Atmosphere 4 PNC Arena is your standard three-level arena with a lower level, a middle club lever, and an upper level. All seats are cushioned and have cup holders. Suites are located at the top of the lower and club levels. There is a four-sided center-hung video board above center ice. It is small compared to many of the newer video boards, but rumor has it that the new Hurricanes owner wants to install a new video board next season that runs from blue line to blue line. The Hurricanes have an engaging mascot – Stormy, who is a pig. This is about the great North Carolina Bar B Que culture. The Canes also have their dance team – the Storm Squad, which engages the crowd and helps get them pumped up for games. There are hurricane warning flags and graphics throughout the arena. Before each game, a local celebrity (such as an area college coach) will crank the hurricane siren to get fans pumped up. At various times throughout the game, “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions will crank up. The management does a great job of incorporating hurricane and storm-related graphics and activities into the game day experience.   Neighborhood 2 PNC Arena was built adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium in West Raleigh near the NC State Fairgrounds. While there is plenty of parking and great tailgating, there is little to do within walking distance before or after the game. The only restaurants within walking distance are Backyard Bistro, Wendy’s, and Bojangles. Backyard Bistro is a great place to hang out and get food and drinks before a game.   Since you will most likely be driving to the arena, be sure to visit the Angus Barn restaurant about 9 miles from the arena, located near the RDU Airport. The Angus Barn is a sprawling upscale steakhouse in a barn-like setting with a wine cellar, lounge, and cigar bar.  Area activities to consider are the NC Museum of Art and Park, which is about 1 mile from the arena, and the North Carolina State Capitol building and museums in downtown Raleigh.   Fans 5 Since Rod Brind’Amour has taken over the team and has them consistently in the playoffs, expect a near-capacity crowd for every game. The fans are consistently loud and into the game, and tickets are now tough to come by.   Access 4 PNC Arena is easily accessible by car as it sits near I-40 and I-440 in West Raleigh. If you are flying into the area, the Raleigh-Durham airport is only 10 miles away and provides all the major airlines. Parking is plentiful around the Arena/Stadium area and is $40 on-site and $25 prepaid. We suggest buying prepaid to save $15. The security staff entering PNC Arena does seem a little “strict” at times, so allow yourself some extra time when entering the arena. Once inside, the arena is easily navigable with three concourses serving the three levels. The arena is well-signed so you can easily find your section.   Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $50 (upper level) to $200 (lower level) depending on location, and parking at the arena is $40. Concessions are expensive, but are on par with other arenas and the quality of food is good.   Extras 3 PNC Arena has hosted the NHL All-Star game, the Stanley Cup, and the NHL amateur draft.   Recently, the Hurricanes have started coming back onto the ice after a win and doing their version of the “Lambeau Leap” by skating down the ice and jumping onto the glass.   The arena has recently added phone-charging stations around the concourse.   Final Thoughts PNC Arena is routinely sold out and offers a great environment to watch NHL hockey.

Photos by Joseph Oakes and Various, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Lenovo Center 1400 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 27607 North Carolina State Wolfpack website Lenovo Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 19,700 “Pack”ing the House Editor's note: On September 19, 2024, PNC Arena was renamed as the Lenovo Center. This review, written before the name change, reflects the previous name. NC State basketball began playing at PNC Arena when it opened in 1999, replacing the historic Reynolds Coliseum on campus. The facility has gone by three names since it opened: the Entertainment and Sports Arena, the RBC Center, and now the PNC Arena. The arena is located about 2 miles from NC State’s main campus, and sits next door to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State football team. PNC Arena boasts 19,700 red seats, and is also the home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Even though the venue is approaching 25 years old, it is still a modern arena for ACC basketball. Food & Beverage 3 PNC Arena offers a wide selection of food and beverage choices; however, the prices are quite high. There is no shortage of concession choices as you make your way through the concourses. The permanent stands offer your generic stadium food: grilled brisket sandwich with fries ($15.50), hot dogs with fries ($12.50), chicken tenders with fries ($15.50), nachos & cheese ($7), peanuts ($6.50), soft pretzel ($6.50), and popcorn ($8.00). Bottled Pepsi products are sold at these stands for $6, and bottled water is $5.50. There is also a good selection of bottled and draft beer ranging from $9-$15. Also, throughout the arena, you can find Chick-Fil-A and Cinnabon stands, as well as various ice cream choices. If you are a fan of BBQ, your best bet is to check out one of the several North Carolina BBQ stands scattered throughout the arena. These stands offer two favorites of mine: a BBQ sandwich and BBQ nachos. Pair these with a sweet tea or a Cheerwine, and you are in business. While there is a great selection of concession choices, the extremely high prices knock the ranking down a bit and therefore, we recommend eating before you go to the game. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at NC State basketball games is special, especially if you are attending a weekend ACC game. The first thing you notice when entering the seating bowl is the giant Tuffy wolf at center court. Nearly every fan in attendance wear red NC State apparel and cheer their hearts out. The seating at PNC Arena is separated into three different levels: a lower level, and middle club level, and an upper level. Both the lower level and middle club levels offer great views of the court and excellent sightlines. The upper level offers a nice view of the arena; however, since the arena is designed for hockey, the seats in the corners are a bit far from the action. If you are going to sit in the upper level, I would advise sitting courtside. The suites are located at the top of the lower and club levels. Students literally surround the court at PNC Arena, in a pit-like area along both sidelines and end zones. The pep band and cheerleaders also do their part in keeping the crowd fired up. One neat cheer is when one side of the arena yells WOLF, and the other side responds with PACK. NC State also has two mascots: Mr. and Mrs. Wuf. A large four-sided scoreboard hangs above center court and provides video replays along with the score, fouls, time-outs, and out-of-town scores. There are also ribbon boards on the overhangs of both the club and upper levels. Neighborhood 2 PNC Arena was built adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium in West Raleigh near the NC State Fairgrounds. While there is plenty of parking and great tailgating, there is little to do within walking distance before or after the game. The only restaurant within walking distance is the Backyard Bistro, located across the street. This is a great place to hang out and get food and drinks before a game. Likewise, the only hotel in walking distance is the Arena Suites which is behind the Backyard Bistro. Since you will most likely be driving to the arena, be sure to check out Amedeos Italian Restaurant near campus which is full of NC State memorabilia. Area activities to consider are the NC Museum of Art and Park, which is about 1 mile from the arena, and the NC state capitol and museums in downtown Raleigh. Fans 4 NC State has some of the most passionate basketball fans in the country. While the program may not be the national championship contender that it was in the 70s and 80s, the fan support is top-notch. Wolfpack fans are knowledgeable and supportive of the team but are also tough on opposing teams and officials. While the large arena does push the fans away from the action somewhat, the student section that surrounds the court is always loud and vocal. NC State does not sell out every game in the spacious PNC Arena and can seem too big for non-conference over the holidays. However, expect 15-16K for weekend ACC games and a sellout whenever Duke and UNC come to town. Access 4 PNC Arena is easily accessible by car as it sits near the intersection of I-40 and I-440 in West Raleigh. If you are flying into the area, the Raleigh-Durham airport is only 10 miles away and provides all the major airlines. Parking is plentiful but is $20 if you do not have a parking pass. Across the street at the fairgrounds, parking normally is free. When we attended in 2023, there were many signs up saying “no event parking”. However, after the game, we noticed that there were several cars parked there for the game The security staff entering PNC Arena does seem a little “strict” at times, so allow yourself some extra time when entering the arena. Once inside, the arena is easily navigable with three concourses serving the three levels. The arena is well-signed so you can easily find your section. Return on Investment 2 Attending an NC State basketball game will be a little tough on your wallet, especially if it is an ACC game. A few single-game lower-level tickets are normally available for ACC games for $45. Upper-level tickets range from $15-$30. Add in $20 parking and concession and you are looking at $60 per person minimum. If you are looking to save some money, purchase tickets through the secondary market for a non-conference game. This will save you quite a bit! Extras 3 The NC State pep band is great and keeps the crowd fired up throughout the game, and fans sing to the fight song. Two mascots: Mr. and Mrs. Wuf make their way through the crowd entertaining fans. Chick-Fila has a promotion that if an opposing player misses two consecutive free throws in the final 8 minutes, everyone goes home with a free chicken sandwich through the app. This causes the crowd to get extra rowdy in the final minutes when an opposing player is shooting free throws. Final Thoughts Basketball is king on Tobacco Road. While PNC Arena is what immediately comes to mind when thinking of great ACC venues, it is still a fun and exciting place to catch a game.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Paul E. Tsongas Center 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Lowell, MA 01852 PWHL Boston website Paul E. Tsongas Center website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity : 6,500 Finally, One League - Boston   For many years, the women’s hockey world has been at war with itself. While the stated goal of all parties was the same – a single league where all the world’s best players could compete – the plans for achieving this goal diverged greatly, and the factions went their separate ways, with the PWPHA Dream Gap Tour and the Premier Hockey Federation the results. For several years the groups operated in direct competition with each other.   In the summer of 2023 a group of investors backed by the Mark Walter Group, who included such notable names as Los Angeles Dodgers owner Stan Kasten and Billie Jean King, purchased the PHF and effectively dismantled it, creating the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). They established six teams in the United States and Canada. The league announced the league would begin play in January of 2024. The league stated goals of playing in professional quality facilities and providing salaries that would allow players to work as professional hockey players, not needing part-time jobs to supplement their hockey income. Teams were not given names due to the quick run-up to the season.   The Boston team announced they would be playing the majority of their schedule at the Paul E. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. The arena, named for Lowell native and United States Senator Paul Tsongas, is located on the UMass Lowell campus on the banks of the Merrimack River. Senator Tsongas, who was instrumental in securing funding for the facility, died in 1997 just before the opening of the arena. Since opening, the Tsongas Center has served as the home for a pair of American Hockey League teams, the Lock Monsters and Devils, as well as the UMass Lowell Riverhawks hockey team .   Food & Beverage 4   Concessions have traditionally not been the strength of the Tsongas Center game day experience. However, the facility continues to expand and improve the options, all of which are available for PWHL games.   There are concession stands on either side of the facility which offer your basic arena fare. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken nuggets are sold at these stands, along with a wide variety of snacks. You can package your chosen item with some chips and a drink to save a few dollars. Sal’s Pizza operates a stand at the south end of the arena, where they sell oversized cheese, sausage, and pepperoni slices.   For the most unique concession items at Tsongas Center, head to the small BBQ stand at the north end of the arena, where brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken sandwiches are sold. You can also top your fries or nachos with your choice of meat.   Pepsi products are featured at the Tsongas Center. The craft beer selection is strong, with a wide variety of beers sold at all concession stands. Among the brews featured are beers from Fiddlehead, Down East, and Harpoon Brewing.   Atmosphere 5   The PWHL has enjoyed incredible support and large crowds throughout its opening weeks. Let’s hope the trend continues, as the sporting landscape is littered with teams and leagues that started strong and faded into obscurity. With the financial support enjoyed by the PWHL, here’s betting the success will continue.   The crowds that have come out to Lowell have been enthusiastic and vocal in support of the Boston squad. Like every other sport, women’s hockey has its share of dedicated and knowledgeable fans. The turnout from local youth squads is impressive and bodes well for the future of the league.   Fans visiting the Tsongas Center can expect a professional game day presentation. There is a video board hanging at center ice that is put to good use with hype videos, replays, and graphics. It’s a solid board but seems a bit small when compared to those in similarly sized buildings. There’s a good sound system that fills the arena with music during play stoppages, and contests held throughout the game to keep fans engaged. Judging by the noise created by the crowd, they don’t seem to need much help in this area.   Neighborhood 3     The Tsongas Center is located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, in the north-central part of the city. 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. If you walk behind the Tsongas Center, you’ll be on the shores of the Merrimack River.   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. The Tsongas Center is located on the edge of downtown, with not a lot in the immediate vicinity to attract out-of-town fans. 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. If looking for a place within walking distance of the Tsongas Center, check out El Jefe Taco Bar.   Fans 5   In looking around the attendance figures for the opening weeks of the PWHL season, it would be easy to dismiss Boston’s crowds of 4,000 as sub-par. However, that line of thinking would greatly underestimate the passion and support that local fans have for women’s hockey.   Boston was arguably the home of the most successful teams in previous professional leagues, supporting the PHF’s Pride and the CWHL’s Blades in strong numbers. This may have a dampening effect on the crowds for the PWHL initially. The Boston area has always been a women’s hockey hotbed, and there should be no worries about support for professional hockey, as the region supports numerous college and youth programs. There is some fear that locating the team far outside of the city will dampen support for the squad somewhat.   Stadium Journey attended the PWHL Boston home opener. The crowd in attendance was vocal and enthusiastic right from the opening faceoff. Merchandise flew off the shelves, and a good portion of the crowd was already decked out in Boston’s green jerseys.   Access 4     The Tsongas Center is located on the south bank of the Merrimack River a short distance from UMass Lowell’s baseball stadium, LeLacheur Park . Interstate 495 travels a few miles to the south of Lowell, meaning that to reach the Tsongas Center one has to drive through the city. Between the adjacent Ayotte Garage, several surface lots, and some on-street spaces, there is plenty of parking nearby.   Fans will enter Tsongas Arena into a large indoor lobby, which houses ticket booths and a merchandise stand. A pair of staircases bring fans up to the concourse, which runs along the top of the seating bowl. The former 360-degree concourse is now blocked at one end by the Durkin Pavilion. It is not possible to completely circle the rink, nor can you view the rink from all points on the concourse due to the presence of luxury boxes lining one side of the venue. All seats at the Tsongas Center consist of plastic folding stadium seats and offer excellent views of the action.   Access around the facility is decent, although the concourses can get crowded and lines can get long at times. Restrooms at the Tsongas Center are plentiful, clean, and large enough for a PWHL crowd. Handicapped seating areas are plentiful. Fans should be aware that the stairs leading from the concourse to the seating bowl are not of uniform size. If one is not paying attention, there exists the very real possibility of tripping or worse, spilling your beverage.   Return on Investment 4   Tickets to PWHL Boston games are affordable, ranging in price from $17-37 dollars. The majority of seats are priced at under $30. Parking in the Ayotte Garage adjacent to the arena will cost you an additional ten dollars. There is on-street parking in the neighborhood around Tsongas Center, but pay attention to the signs, as there may be a charge for some spots.   Concessions are similarly priced to other mid-sized arenas in the area. It is recommended that you take advantage of the combo meals offered at all the stands to save a few dollars.   Extras 3 An extra point is awarded for the next step in the evolution of women’s professional hockey and the great support it has received in its opening weeks. While the transition from the PHF to the PWHL has not been entirely smooth, the crowds and media attention received by the new league have been nothing short of amazing.   If you are a fan of local hockey, check out the displays of Lowell and UMass Lowell hockey located all around the arena. The lobby contains a tribute to Senator Paul Tsongas, who was instrumental in the building of the facility.   If you visit Lowell on a day when the weather cooperates, do yourself a favor and take a walk behind the Tsongas Center and explore the Riverwalk. A stroll along the river to view the rapids and the historic mill buildings is highly recommended.   Final Thoughts   After years of infighting between the various factions in women’s hockey, the stated goal from all parties has finally been realized – one league where all the best players in the world can compete. The league has made it part of its mission to play in professional-quality facilities. Tsongas Center certainly fits that template.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Paramount Fine Foods Centre 5500 Rose Cherry Place Mississauga, ON L4Z 4B6 Mississauga Steelheads website Paramount Fine Foods Centre website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 5,612 Endangered Trout? It was once the house that Don Cherry built. The bombastic, former centerpiece of the “Coach’s Corner” intermission segment of Hockey Night in Canada was bringing Junior Hockey to Mississauga and spearheading the opening of the Hershey Centre. The complex was built on a street named after Cherry’s late wife. The Mississauga IceDogs entered the OHL in 1998 in one of the worst expansion plans ever with teams in Mississauga, Brampton, and Toronto all being added in two years. Cherry would find that he possibly didn’t know as much about running a hockey team as he thought he did and the IceDogs proved to be one of the worst franchises in the league. In 2007, Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors, would purchase the IceDogs to gain control of the arena lease for the then Hershey Centre. The IceDogs were sold off and the Majors became the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. After several tough years at the gate and hosting a Memorial Cup, Melnyk would sell the Majors to Elliot Kerr and the team would be rebranded the Mississauga Steelheads in 2012. A decade as the Steelheads has passed and hockey in Mississauga once again is at a tipping point. Kerr has made public his frustrations with the lack of fan support and mused that maybe the Steelheads should be elsewhere. Home for the Steelheads is the now-renamed Paramount Fine Foods Centre. The arena is similar to other modern OHL facilities and offers plenty to be positive about. However, Junior Hockey in Mississauga is in trouble and the question as to the location of the Trout in five years is a mystery yet to be answered. Food & Beverage 3 There is some surprising variety when it comes to concessions at Paramount Fine Foods Centre. The expected arena fare can be found, including popcorn, nachos, pretzels, fries, and hot dogs. Poutine, mini-donuts, and chicken fingers. Some surprising, healthier options are available including whole fruit and hummus, and veggies. Soft drinks are Coca-Cola products. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and French Vanilla are available, and necessary due to the cold temperatures in the arena. The beer selection is decent for an OHL venue. Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona, Stella Artois, Mill Street Organic, and Alexander Keith’s are available as well as red and white wine. Atmosphere 3 The Paramount Fine Foods Centre is the centrepiece of a larger athletic complex. The exterior is attractive with a clean look with light brick and siding. The main entrance is on the east side at Rose Cherry Place and brings fans into a small foyer with the main ticket office. After entering the main concourse fans will find the team shoppe, The Bait Shop, to the immediate left. The concourses feature some murals featuring the Steelheads. The Captain’s Wall is around the corner from the Bait Shop one way and team photos can be found in the opposite direction. Inside the seating bowl, fans will find a modern seating facility with plenty of burgundy arena seats; some with padding. The ice surface runs from east to west, with the north side being the best spot to get the Centre ice logo picture. Above the seating bowl on the south side, above the luxury boxes, hangs the iconic painting of Queen Elizabeth II, once a staple found in all Canadian hockey arenas. Behind the seats on the north side is the Budweiser Lounge, which, when operating, is a place fans can stand in a bar-like atmosphere and get a drink and some food. When the lounge is not operating, it is still open for fans to be able to use the space. The four-sided video board is clear and has traditional scoreboards underneath. Hanging in the west end are the 2017 division and conference championship banners, the only ones the Steelheads have earned to date. The Paramount Fine Foods Centre is one of the coldest arenas in the OHL. Fans should be prepared. Gloves are a good idea here. The gameday production is about what one would expect from the OHL. Modern music plays during the down times and minor hockey players play the Timbits mini-game during intermission. The Steelheads mascot, Sauga, can be found around the arena leading cheers or on the ice during the mini-game. Neighbourhood 2 The Paramount Fine Foods Centre is located in an industrial neighbourhood in Mississauga. As a result, there is not much in the way of pre and post-game spots for fans to head to. The Britannia neighbourhood in Mississauga, which is surrounded by Highways 401, 403, and Hurontario, does have a couple of spots including Pane e Vino, Wing Factory, Nirvana, and Mandarin. For a wider variety, fans will need to look elsewhere. Either way, fans are going to need to get in the car and make the drive. Heading over to Square One, which is one of the larger shopping malls in the area, will offer fans more options. Mississauga suffers and benefits from being in the shadow of Toronto. Many fans will head “into the city” for the entertainment options, of which there are nearly countless. In Mississauga itself, however, options are pretty limited. The Paramount Fine Foods Centre is shared with Raptors 905 of the G-League. Other sporting options would be in Toronto as well. Fans who wish to stay near the arena may want to try the Holiday Inn Mississauga Toronto West or Quality Inn Airport West Fans 2 The attendance for Steelhead games is where the experience falls off. In the 2022-2023 season, the Steelheads are attracting under 1,500 fans per game, dead last in the Ontario Hockey League by nearly 1,000 fans per game. Mississauga tends to be near the bottom in attendance annually and need something to change to ensure its position in Mississauga going forward. The team has been fairly strong on the ice but the lack of fan support leaves the experience flat. It feels that there are more visiting fans than home fans and the low attendance is not placated by a small building. Access 4 Getting to the Paramount Fine Foods Centre is not difficult. The arena is surrounded by Hurontario Road, a major Mississauga street, and Highways 401 and 403. There is plenty of free parking on either the north or south sides of the arena. Some parking is reserved for suite patrons and season ticket holders. For fans wanting to take public transit to the game, there is a limited-service MiWay bus route that traverses Rose Cherry Place. Fans should check out the Mississauga Transit website for maps, fares, and schedules. Getting around the Paramount is not difficult due to the low attendance numbers. However, should there be a big crowd, the narrow concourses would be a bit of a problem. The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility and the crowd in attendance. Return on Investment 3 OHL hockey provides tremendous value for the sporting dollar. The on-ice product is top-notch and exciting. The ticket prices for the Steelheads are not out of line with the rest of the league. Adult tickets go for around $25 and premium tickets for $35. There are discounts available for kids. Family packs are also available. The concession prices are not too bad and parking is free at the Paramount. However, the lack of fan support bleeds into the overall experience. Even though the Steelheads do their best to put a good package together, it falls a bit flat when a large percentage of fans, in a building more than half empty, are cheering for the visiting team. Stronger fan support will help create a better atmosphere and a better return on investment. Extras 2 An extra mark for the strong connection the Mississauga Steelheads has with minor hockey in the area. An extra mark for the unique name and strong branding the Mississauga Steelheads bring to the table. Final Thoughts It will be interesting to see what happens with the Mississauga Steelheads over the next five years. An airtight lease agreement with the City of Mississauga has kept OHL hockey in town, however, it is clear that the owner is unwilling to continue to take significant losses on the team and may be ready to find some greener pastures. If the citizens of Mississauga could rally around the Steelheads to ensure Junior Hockey remains the OHL would be a better place. ------ Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 McDonough Arena 37th Street NW Washington, DC 20007 Georgetown Hoyas website McDonough Arena website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 2,500 A Visit to McDonough McDonough Arena is located on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and is the home to the Hoyas’ volleyball team as well as the women’s basketball team. Previously, it was home to Georgetown's men's basketball team as well, but in 1981, they moved to the Capital Centre in Landover, and later, to Capital One Arena in downtown DC. Stadium Journey has a separate review about the women's basketball experience here , while this review will focus on the experience at a Georgetown volleyball game. Rather confusingly, the event space where basketball and volleyball are played is called McDonough Arena, while the whole building, which also includes training facilities and offices, is called McDonough Gymnasium. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand at McDonough Arena, located at a small window off the lobby to the right side of the main doors. The menu options here are pretty basic. Hot dogs, chips, and candy are basically the only foods, while bottled soft drinks and water are available as well. Prices are reasonable, with nothing costing more than a few dollars, and cash and credit cards are accepted. The concession stand usually sells additional options for women's basketball, such as chicken tenders and burgers, so these may be available for volleyball games from time to time as well. Atmosphere 3 Walking through the front doors of McDonough Gymnasium will put you in the lobby of the building, from which you can check out trophy cases commemorating various athletic accomplishments. The Thompson Center will be down a hall to your right, with additional athletics displays, while the doors to the arena will be straight ahead. There is no need to buy a ticket for volleyball, so you can just walk straight in. All seating is located on the two sidelines and consists of beige risers without backs. However, fans who sit in the top row can lean against the wall. Since a volleyball court is not as long as a basketball court, the bleachers at the ends of the arena will be outside the bounds of the playing area. You can sit here if you want, but be prepared to have your head turned to the side for the whole match. Needless to say, most fans choose to sit in the center sections, and there is plenty of space here for everybody. There is an overhead scoreboard above the middle of the floor, as well as two smaller scoreboards in the corners. All scoreboards are rather basic and show the score of the current set. The overhead scoreboard also shows the number of sets won for each team, in the space that is dually labeled as "Fouls" and "Score". This is a pretty basic experience, with not much going on here other than the game itself. The starting lineups are announced before the game, and the PA announcer will announce substitutes and servers, but that is pretty much it. Even for coach's challenges and video reviews, you're basically on your own to figure out what is going on. Neighborhood 5 McDonough Arena is located in the middle of the Georgetown campus, and you’ll probably have to head off campus to do anything. However, the Georgetown neighborhood (which lends its name to the school, not the other way around) is one of the best in D.C. There are numerous restaurants ranging from casual sandwich shop Booeymonger’s to luxurious upscale restaurants such as 1789, and everything in between. Georgetown Cupcake sells exactly what its name implies, Clyde's of Georgetown is a locally popular American pub and bar, and Chaia is known for its fancy vegetarian and vegan tacos. All of this is located just a short walk or drive away from the University. If you’re willing to head downtown to the National Mall area, the District has so much more to offer, and the best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the sights and monuments on the Mall itself, or visiting one of the many museums such as the various Smithsonians, there’s something for everyone. All of the government-run attractions are free, but some of the private ones are not. Just keep in mind if you wish to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 Georgetown draws a couple hundred fans to a typical volleyball game, both friends and family of the players and members of the local community. As mentioned above, most fans sit in the center bleachers rather than off to the sides, so this allows them to consolidate the crowd energy and noise. It can get loud in here at times, such as during long rallies or when Georgetown scores a point in a phenomenal fashion, but there simply aren't enough fans to make that big of a difference. McDonough Arena does have low ceilings, so that helps trap in the crowd noise. Access 4 The Georgetown campus is located just across the Francis Scott Key Bridge from Virginia. Fans coming from that direction should turn left on Canal Road after coming across the river, and the campus is just up ahead after that. Coming from Maryland isn’t quite as easy, but still is pretty simple. Most games are played on Friday nights or weekends, allowing you to avoid the worst of DC rush hour traffic. Still, if coming to a Friday night game, allow extra time. Once you’re on campus, parking is available in the Southwest Garage. There is ample space available, but some of the spaces may be tight, especially for drivers of larger vehicles. Parking is free on Sundays but is $5 hour, up to a total of $25, the rest of the week. You can then enter through the front doors of the John Thompson Athletic Center, the training facility attached to McDonough Gymnasium, and walk through there to get to the arena lobby. The Thompson Center entrance is right next to where you come out of the garage, assuming you use the right elevator. Alternatively, you can walk around the building exterior to the front doors of the arena and enter through there. Either way, it is only a couple minutes of walking. Take your garage ticket with you and pay at the station in the elevator lobby when you return. Restrooms are available in the lobby, with the men's room to one side of the arena doors and the women's room to the other side. You will need to leave the arena properly to access them but will be allowed back in without an issue. Return on Investment 4 Admission to a Georgetown volleyball game is free, and concessions are affordable as well. However, the high cost of parking drives this score down. You can park for free on Sundays, so try to go to a game that day to maximize your value. Extras 2 Be sure to check out the various trophy cases in the lobby honoring not just Georgetown’s volleyball achievements, but their championships in other sports as well. Once inside the arena itself, be sure to check out the banners honoring Georgetown achievements in volleyball and men's and women's basketball. Final Thoughts McDonough Arena is a historic gym that, like many old college basketball arenas, is still used for volleyball. A Hoyas volleyball game is a pretty simple experience, but it's hard to argue with free admission, and you will definitely want to check out all the history while you are here.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Rogers Stadium East River Rd Ettrick, VA 23806 Virginia State Trojans website Rogers Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 7,909 Trojan Explosion The Virginia State Trojans football team competes in NCAA Division II and currently plays in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association for all 14 varsity sports. The CIAA includes member schools from six states, spanning from South Carolina to Pennsylvania. The Trojans home football and track venue is called Rogers Stadium – the facility includes both a turf football field as well as a running track around the field. The facility is located just south of Richmond in Ettrick, VA (or some mapping apps may place it in Petersburg). The venue opened in 1950 and currently seats 7,909 fans.   Food & Beverage   4 Concessions at Rogers Stadium include fixed stands on both the home and visitor sides, as well as two food trucks in the plaza next to the home side. Like many HBCUs, you can find chicken wings and fried fish, as well as soul food, in addition to more traditional fare such as BBQ, burgers, hot dogs, nachos, potato wedges, candy, and chips. Drinks include bottled water, bottled Pepsi products, Frappuccino, and energy drinks.   Atmosphere   3 The atmosphere at Virginia State football games is solid, although attendance can be a bit lackluster (more on this later). As with most HBCUs, a big emphasis is placed on the marching bands – the VSU marching band is called the Trojan Explosion, and you can expect to see them sashay as they march into the stadium, and they do a great performance during halftime. You will also see a lot of moving and swaying by the band as they play from the stands during the game. As is typical at HBCU football games, the opposing team’s band will usually also be invited to play during halftime, and the PA announcer will rib them good-naturedly as not being quite as good as the home team’s band, of course.   Neighborhood   4 Rogers Stadium is located in what you might perhaps call a run-down area, but there are plenty of things to see and do nearby, given its proximity to Richmond and its suburbs. While technically about 25 miles south of Richmond proper, the facility is only about 3 miles from the I-95 corridor, and there are all manner of restaurants, hotels, and attractions to be found next to the freeway. Colonial Heights is probably the closest “town,” where you can find restaurants such as Olive Garden and Denny’s, and if you are looking for something to do before or after the game, the Keystone Truck and Tractor Museum is less than 3 miles from the facility and is filled with modern and antique tractors and other equipment. The museum is open from 9-5 daily, so depending on what time the game starts, you should be able to plan a visit before or after.   Fans   2 The fans at Rogers Stadium cheer pretty loudly for their Trojans, but there just aren’t that many fans in attendance – the facility may only be one-third full at a typical football game if that. Depending on the opponent, you might even see more support and more fans cheering for the visiting team than for the home team.   Access   4 It is pretty easy to get in and out of Rogers Stadium – the drive isn’t bad, and since the venue is less than 3 miles from I-95, it doesn’t feel like you have to drive much out of your way. Also, the traffic in the area isn’t bad this far south of Washington, DC. When you get to the stadium, the first parking lot you see might be a long, narrow one with a few tailgaters – that parking lot is next to the visiting side, so you might prefer to follow the road further in, where you will find a much larger parking lot that is closer to the home side. The cost is $10 either way, but you may prefer not to have to walk as far. Either parking lot would be fine in any case, however, as the stadium isn’t that big. There are three entrances into the venue, one next to the visiting side and one on each end of the home bleachers. There is a ramp on both ends of the home side that leads up into the seats, or you can get to your seats from the back – the concessions and restrooms are behind the home grandstand, and there are staircases at a few places in the stands that take you up to them.   Return on Investment   3 Parking is $10, which seems reasonable, but tickets are $20 each for general admission, which seems a tad high for the experience you are getting here. Also, concessions are a little on the high side for certain items - $3 for a bottled soda or water seems reasonable, but $5 for a hot dog or $14/$16 for chicken wings and fried fish seems pretty steep.   Extras   3 The Trojans have two mascots, one male and one female in costume, and they have field-level seating if you are part of an alumni group (tents set up behind one end zone). While the scoreboard isn’t a real video board that can show replays, it does have some basic capacity to show video. However, it doesn’t include enough information – for example, you can’t tell how many timeouts each team has. There are some nice pops of color from the orange and blue; however, and the cheer squad runs around with V-S-U banners every time the home team scores. There is also really no shade in the stands to protect you from the sun during a hot day game.   Final Thoughts A Virginia State Trojans football game at Rogers Stadium is a pleasant experience – it has all the basic amenities a football fan would like to see, if not providing anything over the top. If you are looking for an enjoyable time for friends and family, you couldn’t go wrong by planning a visit here.