Photos by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Reese Court 1136 Washington St Cheney, WA 99004 Eastern Washington Eagles website Reese Court website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 5,000 Fly Eagles Fly Welcome to Cheney, Washington. This small, quiet town is situated about 16 miles southwest of Spokane, Washington and is home to the campus of Eastern Washington University. Here is where you find Roos Field or what people call The Inferno, but also here is Reese Court (also known as the EWU Special Events Pavilion). Reese Court is a 5,000 seat, multi-purpose venue home to basketball, volleyball, and special events. Eastern Washington athletics are a part of the Big Sky Conference in all sports. Reese Court gives off the small town gym style vibe which makes this an intimate setting for a basketball game. You definitely will feel like you are a part of the action on the court. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stands definitely leave a lot to be desired if you are looking for food. There is not much variety in terms of getting something to eat if you attend a game here. The concession stands do accept credit/debit cards so that's a plus. Depending on what you want to eat, you might be left wishing you could have something else. The concession stands offer deluxe nachos ($6.50), teriyaki chicken and rice ($6.50), hot dog ($3.25), pretzels ($2), two different sizes of popcorn ($2 and $5), and candy ($1.50 and $3). One special offering is a stand offering hot or cold espresso and jet teas for $4. The prices really are good for what you are getting at the concession stands. The food looks to be of good quality and what seems to be floating around the most are the nachos. The speed of service is very good and no concession stand seems to have more than 5 or 6 people in line at a time. Pepsi is the major soda brand served inside of Reese Court and you can get a bottle of soda or Gatorade for $3. Beer and alcohol is not served at any concession stands. Atmosphere 4 Reese Court definitely provides a fantastic atmosphere for a college basketball game. The small town gym feel provides an intimate experience for fans. The style is more like a gymnasium with bleacher seating for the students with a few stadium style seats in the lower level and all in the upper level. The sight lines throughout Reese Court are perfect for basketball and honestly, even at the top of the upper level, you could still have a perfect view of the play on the court. The Eastern Washington pep band is active throughout the game and they are situated right behind one of the baskets. The Eagle Club is an exclusive area for donors to the school. This area is completely off limits to the general public so when you are walking around, you cannot cut through the Eagle Club. This is specifically a booster club/donor area only. Reese Court has one video board that does show replays and has great angles on the replay screen. The court also features two scoreboards that are complete with the players on the court, how many fouls the players on the court have, and how many points each player on the court has scored. It also features how many team fouls and whether a team is in the bonus or double bonus. The possession arrow is at the scorer's table. The sound quality is amazing and the PA announcer can be heard loud and clear. Music is played at the perfect volume during timeouts when the pep band is not playing. They do a few special promotions on the video wall as well as on court during stoppages and during halftime. Seating options are limited to the general public, but they have four sections in the lower level and then the entire upper level for sale for home games. You'll see the center court logo upside if you sit in the lower level for the general public. The upper level on the student section side will give you the correct view of the center court logo. Neighborhood 2 This is where Reese Court gets a bad score. Cheney is a college town, but the area around the arena is the campus itself so housing and classroom buildings surround the area. The only hotel located close to the arena is a Holiday Inn Express and Suites about 1.5 miles from Reese Court otherwise be prepared to stay in Spokane, Washington which is about 16 miles from the arena. Fast food is your main option close to the arena. McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Carl's Jr. are about 1.5 miles from the arena. A place I would recommend trying is El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant which is located about one mile from the arena as well. Fans 4 Reese Court is home to some rowdy fans, both students and fans alike. This is where it gets fun to be at a game at Reese Court. The student section is aptly named the Flight Club and this is one rowdy group. The game I attended featured Idaho State visiting Eastern Washington and the student section never let up during the entire game. Attendance might have been a little more due to it being Senior Day. The crowd gets loud during the game especially with the help of the Eastern Washington cheerleaders and their mascot, Swoop. These fans are engaged throughout the entire game and the student section makes that all possible. I could not believe how loud and how rowdy they got throughout the game. Access 4 Reese Court is very easy to get to on game day and moving around inside is not hard at all. The concourse is very spacious and allows people to move around freely. The nearest airport is Spokane International Airport if you are flying in to see the Eagles play. Spokane Transit Authority buses stop near the arena as well if you are interested in public transportation. Parking is free if you park behind the press box of the football field (parking lot P12). It has enough room to fit everyone who is attending the game. Traffic flow is also very good coming and going to/from the game. There is only one gate to enter the arena and it is very speedy in terms of getting people inside. Parking lot P12 offers a ramp down to the entrance of Reese Court with plenty of handicap parking as well. If you have someone in a wheelchair you do not have to worry about stairs when parking in P12. Also, the arena offers handicap accessible seating on the lower level. Return on Investment 4 You definitely get your money's worth coming to a game at Reese Court. Ticket prices are $17.00 for adults, students are $11.00, and general admission is $8.00-$11.00. You also get a free roster sheet when you walk in the front gate. With parking being free, that saves you a good chunk of change and concession stands offer great pricing for both food and beverages. Extras 2 One extra point for the championship banners and retired numbers. It is always a great thing to be able to see the history of the programs that use the venue. One more extra point for the radio station being advertised at the arena. Some fans like listening to the radio call while watching the action on the court and for it to be advertised is fantastic for the fans. Final Thoughts Reese Court may be situated in a small town, but the intimate feel of the arena is second to none in my opinion. Although food and beverage and the neighborhood may have left a little bit to be desired, this is definitely an arena I would visit again.

Photos by Ryan Rohde, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Roos Field 1136 Washington St Cheney, WA 99004 Eastern Washington Eagles website Roos Field website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 8,600 Welcome to the Inferno! Just a few minutes west of Spokane, Washington in Cheney, Washington is Roos Field, the home of the Eastern Washington Eagles. A member of the Big Sky Conference of the FCS, the Eagles have propelled themselves into the national spotlight by having much success since they won the 2010 National Championship. The Eagles house the only red turf in the entire college football landscape. Let’s take a look at what makes Roos Field, or “The Inferno” as it is called up here, a very good venue for FCS football. Food & Beverage 3 You’ll find two concession stands at Roos Field. One is located behind the press box and the other is located behind the video/scoreboard behind the south end zone. You’ll find the usual stadium food with some extra selections. Hot dogs can be served with chili ($5.25) or without ($3.50), also served is deluxe nachos, teriyaki chicken and rice, BBQ beef sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese. Pepsi products are served in bottle form along with bottled water, hot chocolate, and coffee. Credit/debit cards are accepted at both stands. Roos Field also offers a beer garden named the Coors Light Climb on Club. Atmosphere 4 Roos Field has a great atmosphere for small town college football. Roos Field is fully open to all the elements and just in general. There are stands below the press box, which is the main seating area, is the biggest one. You will only find bleacher seating here. There is also a seating area behind the north end zone and the visiting fans section behind the east sideline. One of the downsides to the field is that no matter where you are sitting, you are far away from the action. An eight lane track surrounds the football field. The Eastern Washington Marching Band takes up a section of bleachers in the north end zone seating and stays active throughout the games. Cheerleaders and music that can be clearly heard as well as the student section keeps the fans into the game. Roos Field has a crystal clear video/scoreboard that shows the game in real time on whatever network is providing the game on TV without the delay. Neighborhood 2 This is where EWU gets a bad score. Cheney is a college town, but the area around the arena is the campus itself so housing and buildings housing the classrooms such surround the area. The only hotel located close to the arena is a Holiday Inn Express and Suites about 1.5 miles from Reese Court otherwise be prepared to stay in Spokane, Washington which is about 16 miles from the arena. Fast food is your main option close to the arena. McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Carl’s Jr. are about 1.5 miles from the arena. A place I would recommend trying is El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant which is located about one mile from the arena as well. Fans 4 The fans for Eastern Washington are definitely the hardcore type. You’ll find many of them tailgating using their trucks and trailers in the parking lots behind the stadium and even on the east side behind the visiting bleacher section. The home bleacher seating is usually full and is dominated by the student section that is in the first seven rows of the seating underneath the press box on the west side. The fans constantly stay in the game. What is unique is these fans can leave the stadium at halftime and go back out to the trucks and trailers or meet up with friends on the outside. Some of the fans that tailgate stay outside the stadium and watch the game on TV and have food and portable fire pits to stay warm. It really is a one of a kind experience for football fans in the Pacific Northwest. Access 3 Accessibility is the tough thing as parking behind the field in the parking lots is reserved for RV’s and media personnel. Most people find parking on the side streets and a few blocks away from the stadium itself. You can take a Spokane Transit Authority bus from the Downtown Spokane STA Plaza to Eastern Washington. EWU does check bags as you enter Roos Field, but entry is smooth and simple. Single game tickets are sold online via TicketsWest and run to about $20, but games against rivals such as the Montana Grizzlies can run up to $50. TicketsWest offers Will Call and Print at Home ticket options for games. Return on Investment 2 The return on your investment for attending a game at Roos Field isn’t terrible, but it definitely could be better. For the price of a ticket, you get bleacher seating like you are going to watch high school football. Also, you really don’t have that many options when it comes to food, but on the bright side you probably won’t run into super long lines at either concession stand during halftime or even before the game as most of the fans tailgate and are able to go out to their trucks and trailers during halftime. Extras 2 Roos Field gets a couple extra bonus points: One extra point for “The Inferno” team store located by the concession stand behind the press box. In there you will find at your Eastern Washington gear needs. Another extra point for the history of the program on the back side of the press box right when you walk into the main gate. Including the huge 2010 National Champions sign. Final Thoughts Roos Field is a great place to catch a game and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see the red turf and catch a great small town college football atmosphere. The fans are great and are so involved in watching their Eagles play and with the recent success of the Eastern Washington program, I would expect them to just continue upward. Hopefully, a remodel to Roos Field is in the works so that way fans can be a little more comfortable during the game and have more amenities. Come catch a game at The Inferno!

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Jenny Craig Pavilion 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 San Diego Toreros website Jenny Craig Pavilion website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 5,100 Journey to The Slim Gym While the venue looks like a pristine, new facility, it actually opened back in 2000. When the doors opened, Jenny Craig herself was there to present it to the students and faculty. The facility was constructed at a cost of $17 million and seats 5,100 fans. We’ve all heard of stadium names that have received nicknames rather than their true corporate nickname such as “The Pond” (Honda Center – Anaheim Ducks), or “The Big A” (Angel Stadium of Anaheim) or even the Jenny Craig Pavilion, which many like to refer as, JCP, which may lead some to think the venue is named after the once popular department store JC Penny. Even with the JCP moniker, the JCP also goes by another nickname, and of all the nicknames, it may have the best of them all, known as the “Slim Gym” as a play on the diet plan. Strangely enough, the Torero basketball program is more known for producing NBA coaches than players. While the program has laid the groundwork for players to ascend into the NBA, many of them achieved more success in the coaching ranks. Three of them include Bernie Bickerstaff (Sonics, Nuggets, Wizards), Eric Musselman (Warriors, Kings), and Mike Brown (Cavaliers). Before proceeding, I should also mention the nickname of the University of San Diego. Those who have not experienced the local culture may not be familiar with the term “torero.” A popular term in Spain, Portugal, and Mexico, torero is a term used for a bullfighter. The term is synonymous with “matador,” the nickname for the team two hours north at Cal State Northridge. Food & Beverage 3 The dining options here are a step above what you would normally find in a small venue. One can even step out to the courtyard and purchase food in one of a few pop up stands as well as a food truck. Inside the foyer, you have your basic fare, hot dogs, nachos and fries ($5), garlic fries ($6.50), chicken tenders ($7.50 / $9 with fries) and BBQ pulled pork sandwich ($9). Healthy options, ironically limited in a venue named after a health guru, are Caesar salad ($8) and whole fruit ($2). The beverage options include soda (Coke products: medium $4.50 for 21 oz, $5.50 for 32 oz.) bottled water and Powerade ($4.50), and coffee or hot cocoa ($3). If you decide you want to step outside into the courtyard a food truck offers bbq chicken sandwich and cheeseburger and fries ($10). Doggos Gus has a pop up stand that serves Mexican Gourmet Hot Dogs, $6 for a Baja Doggo, a jumbo bacon wrapped dog topped with grilled onions and jalapenos ($7 for super jumbo) as well as Doggo Nachos, chips covered with nacho cheese and topped with bacon wrapped hot dog slices ($7). Other pop up stands at the courtyard offer kettle corn ($6) and Greek dining options. Gyro and falafel wraps are $7, plates $12. Gyro and falafel plates come with salad, rice, hummus, pita bread, and water. The food and beverage prices are very reasonable, especially the Greek plates. JCP does a nice job of allowing fans to venture out into the courtyard. Not only does this improve pedestrian flow should JCP entertain a good sized crowd, but access to the courtyard also allows fans a chance to step outside and mingle among each other while soaking in the scenery amidst the nice Southern California weather. If there is one minor drawback, the foyer and courtyard, located in the south end of the arena where fans enter, are the only locations where food can be purchased. Atmosphere 3 Contributing to the atmosphere is the aesthetic appeal that JCP offers the moment one steps inside the building as fans walk through one of the more impressive foyers leading into the seating area. Though it may be one of the more aesthetically pleasing college venues you may have a chance to visit, even when packed the fans don’t quite provide that intimidation factor that you would find at let’s say, Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium. Though the USD basketball program can produce a respectable team every now and then, the feeling you get among those in attendance is that the visiting team is as much responsible for the big turnout, a fact not lost among both the locals and the team as well. Neighborhood 3 The USD campus is located close to several points of interest such as Old Town, Fashion Valley Mall, Mission Valley, Old Town, Mission, and Pacific Beach and Downtown. If you have some free time during the day and feel like exploring the city, chances are you won’t be too far removed from the campus. Fans 3 With top-ranked Gonzaga in town, JCP would be filled to capacity for the 15th time during its existence. Though the home team would be totally outmanned on this evening, the enthusiasm of the fans, particularly the students behind the north basket close to the visitors’ bench, would not be dampened, even “playfully” heckling certain visiting players in spite of the home 5 trailing huge deep into the 2nd half. Access 3 On most nights, access to the JCP requires little to no effort. But on that occasion when the JCP is filled to capacity, you will want to give yourself some ample time if you hope to arrive by the opening tip-off. To enter the JCP you will be walking up a hill. If a good-sized crowd is projected, it is possible that you will be standing in a long beeline along a narrow sidewalk before you arrive at the entrance. Once you do arrive at the top, you will be rewarded by walking through a huge courtyard, which is used for fans to mingle during the game should they decide to step out. The courtyard, with its tranquil scenery highlighted by a fountain that beautifully blends in with the surrounding architecture, makes for a great halftime destination. As you enter the arena, you will be walking through a very impressive foyer, highlighted by its arches, tiled floor, ceiling design, and light fixtures. Inside the foyer are displays highlighting some of USD’s great athletic moments as well as its former players who made significant contributions to the program. Inside the arena spacious walkway circles throughout the entire seating bowl, allowing fans to roam without missing any of the action. Return on Investment 3 Single game tickets prices start at $8 for youth baseline, $14-$16 for baseline or sideline seats. Premium game tickets can range from $25-$40 for BYU and Gonzaga. The price for even the premium games particularly Gonzaga is actually not bad when compared to other upper-level collegiate venues. Extras 3 Inside the JCP there are two boards, one on each end that provides the fans live in-game action as well as replays, player stats and of course the score. I bring this up because most small venues only provide one board, which, depending on a fan’s desire to look at stats and replays, can be an inconvenience depending on their seating location. The 16th century Spanish Renaissance look to the JCP blends in really nicely with the buildings throughout campus. USD’s hillside location in Alcala Park also provides nice views overlooking Mission Bay. The Torero program has now participated in the NCAA Tournament four times. A banner above the USD team bench commemorates 1984, 1987, 2003, and 2008 seasons. The most recent appearance in 2008 even saw the school reach the second round. The Toreros would be the first collegiate program in San Diego to advance past the first round of the NCAA Tournament, which may come as a surprise to some given San Diego State’s recent run of tournament appearances under Steve Fisher. Final Thoughts Though it is likely you will be occupied with other activities in America’s Finest City prior to the game, if you have some other free time on your hands, take the time to walk around campus and take in some of the other 16th Century Spanish designed architecture, as well as the scenic views overlooking Mission Bay. If you have an opportunity to visit a West Coast Conference venue in Southern California, if you are a diehard college hoops fan, seize the opportunity to do it. Some of the more underrated and more economical collegiate basketball experiences can be found in such venues in Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, and USD. Like with many programs without the deep history, you just never know if you’re witnessing a future “Cinderella” in the making. Got any other thoughts? Questions? Reach me on my Twitter @Good_Drei. Also, follow my Facebook page Drei’s Stadium Journeys.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Mercy Health Stadium 2009 Baseball Blvd Avon, OH 44011 Lake Erie Crushers website Mercy Health Stadium website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 5,000 Family-Friendly Baseball When thinking of baseball in North-Central Ohio, one would understandably overlook the Lake Erie Crushers as a stalwart in the local community. However, in a few short years, this team has endeared itself to the locals, becoming a fan favorite for families and young fans throughout the region. With their growing fan-friendly approach, affordable pricing, and family-friendly options, the Crushers are becoming a smart and easy alternative to the big-league ticket prices of the Cleveland Indians 30 minutes east of Avon. Add to this a recent retooling of the team’s logo and color scheme to more accurately reflect their heritage, and you have the perfect recipe for a great experience at the ballpark. Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage options at Mercy Health Stadium, formerly Sprenger Stadium, are plentiful in their variety. While your standard fare of burgers and hot dogs are available, they won’t break your bank. A personal pizza runs just over $4, with a large order or nachos running $7. Drinks are varied, from soda and water for $3 each to locally brewed beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks that all stay under $10. Snacks like peanuts, popcorn, candy, chips, and others are available as well. Starting this year, fans can also pick from a special Bud Light Lime Grape-A-Rita at the stadium, served specially for Lake Erie Crushers games. Atmosphere 4 Mercy Health Stadium itself isn’t what one would think stands out beyond others. There are no large roofing panels to shield fans from the sun, or any statues outside of players from the past. However, once inside, the sheer cleanliness of the stadium is obvious right away. The stadium has begun to be painted with highlights of purple and white, reflecting the new color scheme and logo of the team. Lake Erie Crushers games also feature between-innings giveaways and on-field games between fans, often including the youngest fans in attendance. The outfield in right features a large kids zone, complete with bounce houses and slides. The outfield in left is a large viewing mound that gives fans an elevated view of the stadium, while fans lining the left field wall can stand against the railing, where bar-ledges have been placed to set your drink down. The games are usually packed full of fans, as ticket prices are low and group rates are offered for youth groups and schools. Neighborhood 3 Mercy Health Stadium is located in a growing part of Ohio’s Lake Erie coast, located about halfway between Cleveland and Sandusky. Just one exit down from the stadium is a large shopping area complete with restaurants and stores galore. For food, fans flock to The Winking Lizard and Mitchell’s Ice Cream. For somewhere to stay, the closest options include the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cleveland Avon, and the Cambria Hotel and Suites Cleveland Avon. For nature lovers, a short drive to the east is Rocky River Nature Center in the Cleveland Metroparks. Cedar Point theme park is also to the west in Sandusky. Fans 4 While fans would be likely to overlook the Lake Erie Crushers at first, it is clear the locals have begun to embrace the team. Despite the team’s overall look and color scheme being opposite of what their original fan-voted choice was, fans have begun to pack Mercy Health Stadium to see tomorrow’s stars take the field. Now, with their new look, fans seem excited and rejuvenated when talking about their hometown Crushers. The stands are filled with kids and families, making it a great option for the family looking to somewhere to take the little ones for a baseball game. The fans range from the diehards to the vaguely sports oriented, visiting with friends or family and enjoying a day out in the Ohio sun. Access 5 Getting to Mercy Health Stadium is so easy, you literally could build a jump ramp on I-90 and land cars in the outfield. Exit 151 takes you right to the entrance road for Mercy Health Stadium, where parking is plentiful and only $3 per car. Season ticket holders are also eligible for a discounted season parking pass. Once you arrive at the stadium, there are two entrances that take you inside, and both are well staffed so lines are never too long. Getting around the stadium is easy as well, with signs clearly showing the seats and sections for fans not familiar with the layout. Return on Investment 5 How can you go wrong with tickets starting at $6 for lawn seating in the outfield and $9 for assigned seating? Perhaps the best option at Mercy Health Stadium for a group is the Terrace Tables; these seat four people and include your own server and an umbrella at each table for $36-$38. The Home Depot box is easily the best seat in the house, with your own box above the dugout on the main concourse that includes a server, and comfortable outdoor patio furniture provided by The Home Depot; this section runs $225 for 12 tickets at a time. Concessions prices at Mercy Health Stadium are also low, meaning you won’t break the bank if you want to get a bite to eat or a drink. Even the items at the team store are well-priced, meaning you can buy some swag and still not go over your budget. Extras 4 Mercy Health Stadium features a large sign by the entrance that lists the starting lineups for both teams, meaning the diehard fans are kept up to date on the latest changes in the lineups. There are also plenty of games fans can play while at the park, from bag toss to ladder ball, so fans can also relax while they take in the action on the field. The team’s fan shop usually features a deal of the game, whether it is a t-shirt, replica baseball, or pack of trading cards that is on sale. In addition, players are also available during pre-game and post-game for autograph sessions during different games throughout the season. Final Thoughts The Lake Erie Crushers are a team that is perhaps overlooked too often, which is unfair to their extremely family-friendly atmosphere. Mercy Health Stadium is well laid out, and while it may not feature multi-level suite boxes or upper deck seating, the venue offers great sightlines and comfortable seating in all areas. The great prices for tickets, concessions, and parking add to the overall affordability for everyone, from large groups to individuals who enjoy the game of baseball. Whenever traveling through North-Central Ohio, fans can look to Mercy Health Stadium to provide professional baseball without having to pay major league prices, or contend with large-city traffic.

Photos by Dennis Morrell and James Hilchen , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Wells Fargo Arena 233 Center St Des Moines, IA 50309 Iowa Wild website Wells Fargo Arena website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 8,162 Wild Hockey Wells Fargo Arena is the biggest of three different arenas that comprise the Iowa Events Center. Opened in 2005, Wells Fargo Arena is located on the banks of the Des Moines River. The arena is a multi-purpose venue and home to three sports teams as well as concerts and other events throughout the year. Wells Fargo Arena replaced Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium as the main sporting and concert venue in the Des Moines area. Prior to the 2015-2016 season, the arena spent $1.6 million on a brand new video board. The HD board (sitting above center ice) has curved screens for easier viewing by fans all over the arena. The Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League began play in the 2013-14 season at the arena. The Wild were previously known as the Houston Aeros and are affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. The inaugural game for the Wild was a 1-0 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons on October 12, 2013 before a crowd of 10,200. The Wild broke their attendance record on November 9, 2017, when 13,422 fans watched Iowa defeat the Rockford IceHogs, 5-3. Generally the arena set up for a hockey capacity of 8,162, but can hold about 17,000. Wells Fargo Arena is also home to the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League and the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. The arena is not new to hockey, having been host to the AHL’s Iowa Chops from 2005-2009. Food & Beverage 3 Wells Fargo Arena offers a decent variety of food and drinks. Stu’s Bar-B-Q is a popular spot to grab some good BBQ. The brisket sandwiches ($10) are tasty as are the Gaziano sausage sandwiches ($9). Local restaurant Bordenaro’s serves pizza slices for $5. Cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, grinders, and Philly cheese steak are available for about $6-$7. Hot Dog Nation has numerous types of hot dogs from $4.50-$7.50. Snacks including popcorn and candy are also available at $3-$6. Coca-Cola products are the choice of soda at $3.50, $4.50, and $6 (souvenir cup) depending on size. The recommendation for Cokaholics, such as myself is the souvenir cup; they come with $2 refills. Also available are Red Bull ($5), water ($4), and coffee ($2.50). If you fancy ice cream and shakes, Moovers and Shakers has you covered with numerous flavors and options from $5 to $7.50. There are $9 cans of beer available (25 oz). Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Corona, and Mike’s are your choices. Head over to section 108 for the Bud Light Bar. It offers a full-service bar and a nice place to watch the game. Atmosphere 4 Stadium seating surrounds the ice and there are luxury boxes available as well. The brand new scoreboard hangs above the middle of the ice, making it very easy to see the score, statistics, and replays. There are no hindered views anywhere in the arena. Getting in and out of your seats to get something to eat or use the restroom is an easy task. Lines at the food concessions are usually very short but if you are in line for a moment, there are HD monitors near the concession areas so you won’t miss any action. The arena is set up for a capacity of 8,162 for hockey with other areas tarped off. It makes for a better, more exciting atmosphere. One note for larger fans; the upper deck has seats that aren’t as wide as the lower seating bowl. Generally, getting seats in the lower bowl isn’t an issue but if purchasing tickets in the upper bowl, make sure to get one on an aisle. Most aisle seats have arm rests that are adjustable, giving a little more room. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Des Moines is fabulous. The area surrounding the arena has every type of food imaginable and plenty of places to have a drink. One block south of the arena is Buzzard Billy’s. Serving Cajun food as well as some traditional bar fare, Buzzard Billy’s is a great place to go before or after the game. The catfish is great, there are plenty of drink specials and if you haven’t tried alligator before, this is your chance. A few blocks farther south, there is a litany of places for any type of food. If pizza is your thing, it doesn’t get much better than Fong’s Pizza. Fong’s is quite an eclectic place. A former Chinese restaurant, Fong’s kept all the ambiance of the former tenant, but with a pizza flair. The egg rolls are recommended as an appetizer and the pies range from the traditional to unique combinations such as crab Rangoon pizza. It is a popular hangout in Des Moines and super busy on some nights, but if you can get in, the food is great. There are plenty of other food and drink options as well as numerous lodging options. Comfort Inn & Suites is directly across the street (to the north) from the arena. The Des Moines Marriott is a few blocks south. If traveling with family, be sure to visit the Iowa Capitol Building and the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Both are great places to take kids and both are free. Fans 3 The Wild are in their fifth season of existence beginning the 2017-2018 season and have a decent fan following, generally finishing in the middle of the pack in AHL attendance. The Wild have their group of hard cores that attend every game, always rock their Wild gear, and try and make it uncomfortable for the opposing team. After the typical celebration for a Wild goal, the opposing goalie is serenaded with a chant of “it’s your fault.” With Des Moines being less than four hours drive to the NHL Minnesota Wild (the two teams are affiliated), it isn’t uncommon for fans to come down from Minnesota to take in a game or two and see the future of their hockey team. Access 5 Wells Fargo Arena is located in downtown Des Moines and easily accessible off I-235. Parking is available in the arena lots for $8. Parking structures are a couple blocks away and cost $5. An added benefit of Des Moines is the sky walk. The sky walk links buildings via an enclosed walkway that makes it easy to get from parking structures to the arena without going outside. Once inside the arena, it is very easy to get around. The concourse is wide, plenty of clean restrooms are provided, and sections are clearly marked. Return on Investment 4 You can get in the door to see the game for just $10. Prices range from $10 on the second level up to $45 for a seat next to the glass. With the way the arena is set up for hockey, there are no bad seats and all sections are easy to get in and out when needed. A ticket combined with $5-$8 parking and average food prices makes for a fun night at the arena without breaking the bank. Extras 3 An extra point goes to the ushers who are consistent in wanting fans to wait to re-enter the seating bowl during play. It’s a small thing but it makes a big difference to the fans watching the game. One extra point goes to the Wild organization. They are making it a point to be very visible in the city and as fan friendly as can be. From post-game skates to post-game autograph meet and greets with players at Buzzard Billy’s after select games, the organization does a great job of providing extra perks for fans. A final point for the constant deals that the Wild give to their fans. There are discounted tickets offered to nearly every game, teaming up with companies such as Subway. Be sure and check the Iowa Wild website prior to coming and you will likely find a deal to save you a few dollars. Final Thoughts Wells Fargo Arena is a great venue for hockey. The organization cares about the fans, the price of attending a game is very reasonable, and downtown Des Moines has something for everyone. The AHL provides some quality hockey and taking in a game in Des Moines is a fun experience. Follow James Hilchen’s stadium journeys on Twitter @stadiumjwriter

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Joe Aillet Stadium 1450 W Alabama Ave Ruston, LA 71270 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs website Joe Aillet Stadium website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 28,019 The Bulldogs and Dawgzilla Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana opened in 1968, replacing Tech Stadium, which had been home to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team since their inception in 1901. Joe Aillet Stadium was part of Louisiana Tech’s new athletics complex, which now includes a baseball stadium, softball field, and soccer field across the street, as well as the track and field right next to the football stadium. The football stadium was originally named Louisiana Tech Stadium, but was renamed in 1972 after former head coach and athletic director Joe Aillet. The Lousiana Tech Bulldogs currently complete in Conference USA, and provide a great atmosphere for football, drawing lots of fans and providing a high level of energy during games. Joe Aillet Stadium includes the Davison Athletics Complex, Charles Wyly Athletic Center, and Dawgzilla, the 25 foot by 45 foot high def LED video board in the north end zone. Food & Beverage 4 Joe Aillet Stadium’s concessions offer plenty of options to fit most tastes – perhaps not everything you could want, but plenty of choices to meet your needs while attending a game here. Main dish options include hot dogs, Cajun sausage, nachos, pulled pork, burgers, pizza and chicken wings from Johnny’s Pizza House (a local favorite), Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches, sandwiches from McAllister’s Deli, and tacos from The Truppy Taco food truck. These items range from $4 up to $8, with the best deal being the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich for $4 – a bargain given this is barely more than they charge normally. Besides the above, you can also find snack and dessert items such as popcorn, peanuts, chips, pickles, kettle corn, packaged candy, Dippin’ Dots, shaved ice, cookies, and Rice Krispies treats for $2 to $7. You can also find bottled water, soda in bottles and from the fountain, and several flavors of iced tea and lemonade for $3 to $7; I did not see any alcohol for sale inside the facility. Atmosphere 4 Joe Aillet Stadium provides a great atmosphere for football, drawing large crowds wearing blue, with a little red sprinkled in (both colors are technically acceptable, but blue is much more prevalent) – you may even get gently hassled by Bulldog fans inside the local Walmart, if you try to choose the less dominant color. From the outside the facility may look a little dated, but once you walk in the bold, blue end zones, the colorful signage, the antics of La Tech’s Band of Pride, and the sound of 28,000-plus screaming fans will bring a smile to any football fan’s heart. Joe Aillet Stadium has grandstands with metal bench seating along both sidelines, with additional seating for donors and other VIPs at the top of the Davison Athletics Complex behind the south end zone. The north end zone is reserved wholly for La Tech’s video board, which is named “Dawgzilla”. The venue gets pretty full on gameday, and the fans bring a lot of energy, so this stadium is definitely worth a visit despite not being in one of the Power Five Conferences. Dawgzilla, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey One of the best aspects of attending a game here is that, for night games, the staff puts on a pretty spectacular fireworks show at halftime, which is nice because that means you don’t have to stay late to watch it – check out the video below for a sneak peek: Neighborhood 3 Joe Aillet Stadium is located on Louisiana Tech’s campus, so there isn’t much in the immediate vicinity except campus buildings and other athletics facilities, such as La Tech’s basketball arena, soccer field, baseball diamond, and track. There are a couple of fast food places within a few blocks, but if you are looking for something more interesting, there are a number of local places about 10-12 blocks east along Alabama Ave, such as Nana’s Soulfood, RAW Restaurant (sushi and sashimi), and Sundown Tavern, which features craft beer and live bands. There are also some more traditional eateries, such as Applebee’s, on 1-20 at exit 85 (either exit 84 or exit 85 would be your choice to get to Joe Aillet). If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, in the same area as Nana’s Soulfood are a couple of museums, the Louisiana Military Museum and the Lincoln Parish Museum. Neither is very big, and both have limited hours (the Louisiana Military Museum is only open from 10-4 Tuesday thru Saturday, and the Lincoln Parish Museum is only open from 10-4 Tuesday thru Friday), but both are worth a look if you have some time. The Eddie G. Robinson Museum in nearby Grambling is also worth a look, as it celebrates the career of one of college football’s most successful coaches. The closest hotel to Joe Aillet Stadium is the Super 8 on Tech Drive, but exit 85 has several others, including a Fairfield Inn and Suites, a Courtyard by Marriot, and a Hampton Inn. Fans 4 La Tech fans are solid – though the stadium can’t hold that many, most of the seats are full, and fans here bring a lot of noise and energy. As mentioned previously, most of the fans wear blue, and many of them stay in their seats until the end, even if their team isn’t performing particularly well that day. The student section here at Joe Aillet is particularly worthy of note – you can find them on the east side seated next to the Band of Pride, who are easy to spot thanks to the lettering over their tuba bells spelling out L-O-U-I-S-I-A-N-A T-E-C-H. In the student section, you will of course find a few diehards with their chests painted in support of the Bulldogs, but also a couple of students waving homemade flags, along with my personal favorite, the whole section waving their cell phones back and forth during night games, in tribute to classic rock bands of old. Band of Pride, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Access 4 Getting to Joe Aillet Stadium is pretty easy, thanks in part of the small capacity and general lack of traffic in Ruston. Located only about half a mile off the freeway, there is plenty of parking next to the stadium or across the street for $10 if you get there early; if not, you should be able to park for free about 5-6 or 6 blocks away, either on neighborhood streets or at the cemetery on Colvin Street. Note that will call is located on the west side, so if you don’t have your tickets with you, you may want to park on that side; otherwise you will have to walk all the way around. Once you get inside Joe Aillet Stadium, there is plenty of room to walk around beneath the grandstands, and there are plenty of restrooms and concessions stands, so lines shouldn’t ever be too long. Also, there is a walking path on each side between the upper and lower levels of the grandstand, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting to your seat, or getting out for a snack during the game. There is also a ramp at the end of each grandstand for those who need it. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets to games at Joe Aillet Stadium start at $25, which is pretty reasonable for this caliber of football, and there are plenty of concessions options for fans on a budget. In addition, $10 (or free) parking is also very reasonable, so all in all, seeing a game here represents a great value for football fans of any stripe. Extras 3 The halftime fireworks are a big plus, and the fans deserve mention for their strong support of the team. The vivid colors on both the field and in the concourse also add to the pageantry that is college football today. Final Thoughts If you live in or near northern Louisiana, you actually have your choice of 3 different college football stadiums along the I-20 corridor between Shreveport and Ruston – the Independence Bowl, Malone Stadium (home of the ULM Warhawks), and Joe Aillet Stadium. For my money, the latter is the best of the bunch, so if you are in the area, take a trip down to Ruston to see the Bulldogs in action, and be sure to wear blue. Go, Dawgs!

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Autzen Stadium 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Eugene, OR 97041 Oregon Ducks website Autzen Stadium website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 54,000 Bright Yellow Football on the West Coast Autzen Stadium opened in 1967, and was featured in the 1978 cult classic, National Lampoon’s Animal House. The stadium underwent a massive $90 million renovation in 2002, which increased capacity to its current level of 54,000. Despite its relatively small size compared to many other FBS stadiums, Autzen Stadium is one of the loudest college football stadiums in the country, regularly hitting over 100 decibels inside, and consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top 10 places to watch a college football game. Food & Beverage 4 While Autzen Stadium has a wide variety of concessions options, its All American stand is the most common, with over a dozen locations inside the venue, especially on the upper level. That said, if you want something besides the stadium basics such as hot dogs and pizza, you may need to walk around to find one of the other stands – which is simple enough, though, as the venue is not that big. At the All American stand you can find all of the classic stadium fare, including hot dogs, smoked sausage, pizza, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, ice cream, caramel corn, and packaged candy, as well as Pepsi products, bottled water, coffee, hot cocoa, and frozen lemonade. Prices for food items at this stand range from $3 up to $9, while beverages cost between $4 and $5. All of the other concessions stands at Autzen Stadium seem to only have two locations, one on each side, but they offer plenty of variety, including tacos, burritos, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, Italian sausage, bratwurst, pulled pork, burgers (including a Vegan selection), and even salmon sandwiches – these items may cost $2 to $3 more than the main dishes mentioned above. However, note that all of the concessions stands inside Autzen Stadium sell the same items that are available at the All Amerian stands, so you can find those items anywhere. In addition, there are also a few small kiosks dotted around where you can find other items, such as kettle corn and Oregon’s famous one-pound ice cream sandwich. Atmosphere 5 Autzen Stadium provides a great atmosphere for college football, with lots of crowd noise, near sellout crowds, lively music that gets fans dancing, and tailgating that starts at least three hours before kickoff. Like many other football schools, the Oregon Ducks also have a great marching band, which performs before the game and during halftime. The band runs several different formations during pregame, including forming a giant “O”, as well as spelling out “D-U-C-K-S” to both sides of the stadium. The PA system also plays loud music throughout the game, including video at times, which keeps the fans engaged. The videoboard will also occasionally display a decibel meter, particularly during third downs, to motivate fans to get even louder. One of the most fun moments at an Oregon football game, however, is when the Ducks come onto the field before the game, led by Oregon’s mascot The Oregon Duck, riding on the back of a motorcycle. Accompanied by flag bearers running with banners spelling out “D-U-C-K-S”, this is a cool sight to see! Neighborhood 4 Autzen Stadium is located only about a quarter mile from the University of Oregon’s campus, and is bordered on the south by the Willamette River. There are several footbridges you can use to cross the river, and there are plenty of restaurants on that side (there isn’t much on the north side of the stadium, which is bordered by I-105). Two popular restaurants near Oregon’s campus are Chula’s Restaurant and Cantina, which features happy hour specials and small plates, and Oregon Electric Station, located inside a former train station, which features live jazz. If you are planning to be in town for the day or for the weekend, there are also several things to do in the Eugene area, the most popular being the Cascades Raptor Center, which is open from 10-6 from April to October, but only from 10-4 November through March (the center is closed on Mondays). Another popular attraction is hiking or biking along the Willamette River, and there are several parks along the river as well, on both sides. The closest hotels to Autzen Stadium are the EVEN Hotel and La Quinta Inn & Suites, both of which are within walking distance of the facility. There are also plenty of choices near campus, on the other side of the river, or along I-5, to the east of the stadium. Fans 5 Oregon football has a great fan base, with most fans showing up to Autzen Stadium wearing bright yellow team gear, with some green mixed in for good measure. As mentioned previously, games here tend to be sellouts or near sellouts, and the fans are loud and generally engaged, helped by the lively music coming through the PA system. One of the traditions they are trying to start at Autzen Stadium is that before the kickoff, fans in the student section will sway from side to side, reminiscent of what you will see at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field, although not to the same scale. Access 4 Thanks in part to the smallish size, moving around Autzen Stadium is relatively easy – the 2002 renovation widened the concourses and upgraded the bathrooms and concessions stands, which means there is plenty of room to move around, and short lines for the restrooms and concessions. There is also a walkway around the top of the bowl, which makes it easy to get to your seat no matter which entrance you come in at, and you can also use that walkway to find your favorite concessions stand at halftime. Eugene even has its own small airport, which makes it easy to get in and out of town on game day. That said, I would recommend getting to the game early, however, as even 2 hours before kickoff some of the parking lots near Autzen Stadium are already full. You can find parking for $20 within a few blocks of the stadium (on the north side), or you can park for free on the streets in some of the neighborhoods on the east side of the stadium (turning down Kinsrow Ave or Chevy Chase St). No matter where you park, though, getting out afterward can be difficult, as there are a lot of cars in a small space – the local police do a great job setting up cones and routing traffic for optimal flow after the game, but it can still take 30 minutes to go a mile or two. Autzen Stadium is one of those places where you are better off parking as far away as you can stand walking, as this will save you time afterward, since the farther you are from the stadium, the less traffic you will have to contend with. Return on Investment 5 Single-game tickets to Oregon Ducks football games at Autzen Stadium start under $50 for the “upper” level (which isn’t really an upper level, since the whole bowl is a single tier), and this is actually pretty reasonable for big-time college football, and is cheaper than a lot of programs in the Power 5 conferences. Also, even at $20 parking is on par with other stadiums, and if you can park for free it is an even better deal. Plus, there are lots of concessions options for fans on a budget, so a day at Autzen Stadium can end up costing a lot less than going to a game somewhere else, football or otherwise. Extras 5 A great mascot, which actually required a special licensing agreement with Disney to accomplish, is a big plus, and there is also really terrific scenery here at Autzen Stadium, with rolling green hills visible from inside the venue, and the river to the south you can walk along on your way to the game. Some college football diehards may feel that Autzen Stadium lacks energy, since it is only half of the size of certain other FBS programs, but being able to get as loud as it does with only that many fans is pretty impressive, and getting around Autzen Stadium is also much easier, providing a more hassle-free game day (thanks in part to its size, but also a better design). Final Thoughts The chance to see Power 5 college football, at a budget-friendly facility like Autzen Stadium, and one that is so easy to move around, should not be missed. In addition, the Pacific Northwest is a great place to visit, and you can find plenty to do in Eugene while you are here. You will definitely get to see some quality opponents here, so it should be a great time for your whole crew. Go, Ducks!

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 The Wolves’ Den 1801 E Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Sonoma State Seawolves website The Wolves’ Den website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 2,000 Wine Country Volleyball While the Sonoma area may be better known for being part of California’s wine country, or home to Sonoma Raceway, often overlooked Sonoma State University provides a sports haven for college athletics fans who don’t want to drive an hour or more to watch Cal. Here, inside the halls of Sonoma State’s The Wolves’ Den, you can watch some top quality college volleyball for a small price in the quiet serenity of wine country. Food & Beverage 2 There isn’t much at the concessions stand, but thankfully it won’t break your bank either. Drinks are limited to water or soda for $2 or Gatorade for $3. For food, nachos ($4) and hot dogs ($3) are the biggest items, with popcorn ($1), candy ($1.50), chips ($1.50), or a cookie ($1.75) as the only other options available. Nevertheless, the staff are always friendly and helpful and the food never comes out cold. And unlike many small concessions stands, they accept credit cards without a purchase minimum. Atmosphere 3 The interior of The Wolves’ Den is reminiscent of 1980’s California architecture for large buildings. Giant concrete and cement walls, accented wood paneling for the ceiling, and sound-absorbing panels mounted on all the walls. With the acoustics inside, even a modest crowd can sound like a full house for Sonoma State. In addition, the close proximity of the seats to the benches mean the fans get a great view of the coaching staff during the game, as well as the bench. Neighborhood 4 There are few areas in the United States more beautiful than California’s wine country. Nestled outside of Santa Rosa, Sonoma State University is a campus with lots of foliage and greenery to contrast the brown of California’s hills in the dry months. There are countless wineries not far from the school, meaning your visit will be chock full of places to visit. Popular attractions include Jack London State Historic Park and Matanzas Creek Winery. For hotels, nearby locations include Graton Resort and Kenwood Inn & Spa. For eating, not much tops In-N-Out Burger in Rohnert Park or Sushiko. Fans 3 The fans at Sonoma State are loyal like most colleges, and they cheer on their team as if they were a mid-major division I college. Most fans are family or friends of the players and staff, though there is a decent student turnout during most games. A lot of youth athletes will come watch as well, hoping to pick up some skills by watching college level play. Access 3 Getting to Sonoma State University can be a hassle thanks to California’s notorious traffic. Just a few miles away from Highway 101, the campus is on the east side of Rohnert Park. Once on campus, plenty of signs help direct you around the property, making finding the gymnasium easy to find. However, one must look for signs that say gymnasium and athletic facilities instead of something name-specific. Once you have arrived, parking is plentiful and free on site. Return on Investment 3 Kids 12 and under are free to games, while visiting students pay just $5 with their ID. A reserved seat is $10 while general admission runs just $7. Adding this to the free parking on site and the inexpensive concessions, and you can take your friends and family out to watch college volleyball without spending a ton of money. While getting there is a bit off the main highways of the greater bay area, a visit can still yield an enjoyable time for fans. Extras 3 Outside the arena’s entry doors lie the three main points of interest here. First is the massive trophy case for the school. From numerous athletic NCAA National Championship trophies to individual medals, these large cases show that Sonoma State is a school with a lot to be proud of athletically. Across the hall from these cases is the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Here you can see some of the great names that have passed through Sonoma State’s halls over the years. Beyond this, fans can step outside into the beautiful courtyard for a breath of fresh air under some trees. This quiet and serene spot is a lovely addition to the arena and contrasts the game action well just steps away. Final Thoughts Taking in a college volleyball game at Sonoma State University is something you can easily do for little out of pocket expense. Going to a game is a great option for the family, and the fun factor can be high for all attending as the game intensifies. Sonoma State may not be NCAA Division I, but they sure play and party like they are, meaning the fan experience is not one to be overlooked. Where some may see something average and uneventful, a visit to Sonoma State is always one that can leave even the most modest of sports fans with a smile on their face.

Photo Courtesy of TexasBob.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Bernard Birkelbach Field 2275 N Austin Ave Georgetown, TX 78626 Southwestern Pirates website Bernard Birkelbach Field website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 11,000 Pirates Hoist the Flag at Birkelbach Field Located less than 30 minutes north of the capital city of Austin lies one of its most picturesque suburban towns, Georgetown. The rapidly growing “village” of 55,000 – whose motto “Sincerely Yours” gives visitors a glimpse at its charm – has become a popular commuter town for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Austin. However, since 1840, students at Southwestern University have known all about what Georgetown has to offer. The school first fielded a football team – the Pirates – as early as 1908. They earned a reputation as a “little program that could” by often tangling with and beating some of the biggest and best programs in the country. They won the Sun Bowl twice in the 1940s, but the war took a toll on the program and the school shut it down in 1951. The Pirates returned to the field in 2013 as part of the Division III American Southwest Conference. They have set up home at Bernard Birkelbach Field at the Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex, one of the best high school stadiums in the area. Both good and bad, that is the key thing to remember about attending a Pirates game. Food & Beverage 2 First things first, the food and drink amenities are what you could expect to find at any upper-level high school football stadium. For those who generally expect more from their college athletics experiences, this is going to be a significant drawback. There are just two concession stands (one under the home bleachers and one under the visitors) open during games and no vendors hawking in the stands. The food and drink options are pretty basic and bare bones. You’ll find your $2 hot dogs and $3 bottled sodas, sports drinks, and water; there is popcorn and candy and that omnipresent specialty of Central and South Texas Friday nights, Frito pie (for the uninitiated, think corn chips, chili, and shredded cheese; it’s a delicacy). You can however get a Chick-fil-A sandwich (one of the school’s local sponsors) and cheese and pepperoni pizza by the slice; both are $5 options. This is a nice option if you are looking to get something just a bit “extra” for the game. Also, I personally was delighted to see another drink option at the game and that would be sweet and unsweet iced tea from local favorite, Bush’s Chicken. If, for some reason, you simply cannot find anything you would like at a game, you are allowed to bring in your own fare – within reason. Atmosphere 2 In spite of playing football at the level that they do, the Southwestern Pirates have a lot of buy in from their fan base. Tailgaters show up several hours before the game – the lot opens three hours before kickoff – and the student section does show up in droves and fills the lower sections of the stands. However, there are still some elements missing from the game experience. Namely a mascot and student band. These staples of college football are noticeable at times, but they do not take away from the on-field action. Also, fair warning, seating is all on bleachers – e.g. there are no seats. Bring cushions if you have access to them. Neighborhood 3 Georgetown is truly a beautiful example of small-town Texas. Its downtown is famous for its architecture and tourist sites, namely restaurants and boutique shops. Speaking of restaurants, when you are in the area, you have to visit the Monument Café. The restaurant has been a favorite of locals for over 20 years – including one of the area’s favorite sons, Matthew McConaughey. For culture, check out the Williamson Museum, the official county museum, which tells the story of the area and is located in an historic building on the square. If you’re there overnight, the Palace Theatre offers performances of all kinds throughout the year. If you’re looking for outdoor fun, Blue Hole Park has everything you’re looking for – kayaking, swimming, hiking, biking, fishing, etc. And, if you’re still looking for more, Austin is less than 30 minutes away. Fans 4 The fans come out in droves for Pirates games. You’ll see most wearing black and gold. Trailers and RVs dot the parking lot and you can see Pirate flags from the road as you make the drive toward the stadium. In the stands they cheer boisterously for the home team from the opening whistle to the final seconds. It is in this area that games at Birkelbach Field truly feel like a college game as opposed to a high school one. Access 3 Getting to Georgetown is really as simple as it gets in Central Texas. It is located just under 30 minutes from Austin, north along Interstate 35. That puts it just a hair under two hours from San Antonio and around five hours from Dallas/Fort Worth. Once you get into Georgetown proper, it does get a little tricky to get to the games. Signs clearly mark where the Southwestern University campus is, however, that is not where the stadium is. The athletic complex is located right behind Georgetown High School. You need to pay extra close attention for signage for that. Return on Investment 3 If you’re looking an affordable college football experience, Southwestern is the way to go. Parking is free; you can eat your fill for a very affordable price at the concession stands (seriously, try the iced tea), and single game tickets can be had for as little as $10. If you’re going by yourself, with a buddy, a date or the family, you won’t break your wallet. You’ll get the chance to experience some quality college football action in a decent venue for an affordable price at Birkelbach Field. Extras 1 There aren’t many frills, bells or whistles at Southwestern University Pirates games. As mentioned, there is no marching band or mascot, nor are there a high-tech jumbotron or activities during the timeouts. The cheerleaders and pom squad (traditionally the halftime entertainment) can be seen on the sidelines and do add to the atmosphere. Final Thoughts Birkelbach Field is a top-notch facility for high school games. While it does somewhat detract from the atmosphere of the typical college experience, there is enough to keep attendees entertained. Georgetown itself is a great place to visit and is great venue for football. If you’re in the area, plan to attend a Pirates game. You’ll be surprised at how much you enjoy yourself. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.

File Photos Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Anfield Anfield Rd Liverpool, England L69 3JF United Kingdom Liverpool FC website Anfield website Year Opened: 1884 Capacity: 45,276 You’ll Never Walk Alone Anfield is one of the most renowned football stadiums in the world. Built in 1884, the ground was actually home to Liverpool’s archrivals, Everton FC, until 1892. The founding of the club resulted in a dispute over rent and beer sales at Anfield between the grounds owner John Houlding and the directors of Everton. The football club opted to play its home games at Goodison Park and Houlding was left without a club. That changed when he formed Liverpool FC on 15 March 1892. Anfield has been the club’s home since its founding and has four stands: the Spion Kop, the Main Stand, the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Anfield Road End. The stadium has gone through a series of renovations including its most recent in September of 2016 when its capacity was increased to 54,074 but has since been toned down to 53,094, making it one of the largest all-seater single stands in European football. Its total capacity ranks it 7th in all of English football. Plans are taking place that will increase the size of Anfield to 61,000 . The development of the ‘away end,’ the Anfield Road stand, would allow 7000 new seats to be added. The increase would see Anfield become the third largest English Premier League ground after Old Trafford (76,212) and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,062). The work on the Anfield Rd end would essentially see a new second tier and roof added to the current stand with the road outside re-routed to allow the space to develop. The increased capacity could be available in time for the 2022/23 season. Food & Beverage 2 Like most English stadiums, the food leaves something to be desired. Meat pies and hot dogs are available inside, and it’s much of the same at the food trucks outside the stadium. It’s all a bit pricey for mediocre munchies. It’s important to note that beer is not served during European nights (Champions League and Europa League matches). When it is available, Carlsberg and Guinness are offered at a reasonable price. Atmosphere 5 The streets surrounding Anfield fill up way ahead of the match and vendors are on every corner selling match day programmes, some they produce themselves, merchandise such as scarves, and food from kiosks. There are a ton of pubs to grab a pint and something to eat before the match and it only gets better once you walk under either of the gates at the stadium which are named after former Liverpool managers: Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. Once you are at your seat the Liverpool supporters know how to get behind their side better than most. Be prepared for goosebumps and chills when the crowd belts out, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” prior to kickoff. With that said, the normally outstanding atmosphere will fall off the cliff should the Reds fail to live up to their fans’ high expectations. The Kop is an impressive site. Housing around 12,500 “Kopites,” the south end of the stadium is packed with the most ardent Liverpool supporters, waving their flags and holding up their banners. The passion is so strong in the Kop that it’s been said to have the ability to suck the ball into the back of the opposition’s net. Away supporters are seated on the left side of the Main Stand. Liverpool opened a new superstore situated on the corner of the Kop and the Main Stand. The superstore is a 19,500 square foot space that features 20 short printing machines, a first-floor café, a fan activation space and a VIP area. it is estimated that the store will sell 40 thousand scarves in one year. The space in between the new store and the stadium was developed into a fan zone. There are actually two fan zones: Fan Zone Paisley Square, off Walton Breck Road, and the Family Park which is located on Anfield Road. These two areas are ideal for families with drinks, food, live entertainments, and exclusive content on big screen TVs. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhoods around Anfield aren’t very aesthetically appealing, but the area is generally safe. Be aware that the streets can get very congested during the walks to and from the stadium. Use of common sense will keep fans and tourists safe from pickpockets and troublemakers. There are also loads of pubs around Anfield and each of them offer great atmosphere and memorabilia. The area surrounding Anfield is mostly residential; so don’t count on finding any restaurants or gastro pubs. Home supporters will be right at home grabbing a pint and chatting with mates The Flat Iron, The Park Pub, The Twelfth Man, The Park, or the Albert. The Sandlon is also another ideal spot for Reds fans that holds a lot of history as it was once the place where Everton players changed before a match when they played here. Away supporters will find solace at The Arkles. Liverpool is a tourist destination with plenty to see and do. The cab drivers are typically very friendly, and knowledgeable about the best restaurants and attractions. Some will even offer tours of the city, highlighted by important Beatles sites. Fans 4 Scousers are some of the best folks to watch a football match with. They’re respectful of opposing teams and their fans, as long as that respect is returned. Most everyone in the stands is knowledgeable about the game and will be fairly disciplined as to when it’s appropriate to stand or sit. It’s almost a guarantee someone in your section will have a go at the referee that will cause a roar of laughter. Access 3 Finding parking around Anfield is a crapshoot at best. The only places to park are on the neighborhood streets, but even if you do find a spot, expect a long wait to get out unless you plan on leaving at halftime. The Liverpool website offers specific instructions for all modes of transportation, but the best means is by train via the Lime Street station, Kirkdale Station, or Sandhills Station and catching the bus to the stadium. Return on Investment 4 With the history and atmosphere surrounding Anfield, the trip and match day tickets are worth every penny. There’s enough to do in Liverpool to make a weekend out of the excursion, and the game itself will (usually) not disappoint. Tickets are difficult to come by, but range from £37-£59. Third party websites will charge triple that, but be wary of scams. Extras 4 Walking under the iron gates where the words, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” are inscribed is an inspiring experience. There are one hour stadium tours for £17, and a club museum that charges a £8.50 entrance fee. Outside the ground is a very poignant memorial to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster where fans can place floral arrangements. Most of the staff are friendly and accommodating, but the stewards are not afraid to shout spectators down if they’re standing at inappropriate times. There are some areas where your view can be restricted by a support pillar, so it’s recommended to check the area before purchasing tickets.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Commonwealth Stadium 11000 Stadium Rd Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7 Canada Edmonton Elks website Commonwealth Stadium website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 56,302 Edmonton's Mighty Elks The Edmonton Eskimos have won the CFL’s Grey Cup 13 times, the second-highest total in league history. Nine of those wins have come while the Eskimos have called Commonwealth Stadium their home, including an unprecedented five in a row from 1978-1982, the first five years that Commonwealth Stadium was in service. As a building that was constructed in the 1970s, one might expect it to be long in the tooth, worn out, and obsolete. In fact, The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium (as it is officially known since naming rights were sold to The Brick furniture stores) has undergone some major upgrades in the last decade. As a result, the place is looking fresh and new in many respects. There may come a day when this field is ready for retirement, but that day is not today. Note: In June 2021, the team name changed from the Eskimos to the Elks. Food & Beverage 4 There are tons of concessions at Commonwealth Stadium. In addition to the typical concession stands lining the outside of the main concourse, one of the key aspects of the recent renovations was adding large concessions areas off the east and west concourse areas, creating lots of extra space and providing the fans with more options than they might otherwise have. All the standard concessions choices are available, from hamburgers ($6.50) and foot-long hot dogs ($5.50) to potato chips ($1.50) and fountain drinks ($4 for a small). You can also find some specialty variations on those themes, such as the Green and Gold Hotdog ($7.50), which has mac and cheese, bacon, and jalapeno peppers on it. Additionally, you’ll find Boston Pizza stands in the side concourses, and Tiny Tim Mini Donuts in the main concourse. Molson Canadian is readily available on tap ($7 per glass), and there are a number of specialty beverage stands where you can get something more exotic. If you’re still looking for something more, you can pop into the Quarterback Club on the east side, or Jackie Parker’s on the west side for more of a lounge atmosphere. Finally, there is a “tailgate” area at the north end of the stands at field level, for folks who want to enjoy an adult beverage right next to the action. Atmosphere 4 With a team that has won as many Grey Cups as the Eskimos have, it should come as no surprise that there are numerous nods to the glory years. The south exterior wall is decorated with the list of championships, along with huge pictures of three of the most famous Eskimos of all time: Warren Moon, Norm Kwong, and Willie Pless. The Grey Cup list can be found on the walls of the main concessions areas as well. Out front of Commonwealth Stadium is a Fan Fest set-up. There are food trucks, displays, games, live music, and a fenced-off party area for fans wanting to get pumped up before entering the facility. The names of the Eskimos Hall of Fame players are proudly displayed along the leading edge of the lower deck of stands, and there are a lot of them, again echoing the proud football tradition in Edmonton. You’ll also find pictures of Eskimo greats on banners hanging above the main concourse ring. The brand-new green-and-gold seats are nice and wide, making sitting in the stands quite comfortable. They also all have cup holders, so less fumbling around when trying to sit down or get up, also a good thing. In the grand scheme of things, the Eskimos tend to have pretty good attendance, compared to the rest of the CFL. In 2016 they drew 30,998 fans per game, second-best in the league behind the Saskatchewan Roughriders. But in a stadium that holds more than 50,000, it still seems fairly empty, which negatively impacts the energy in the stands. The lower bowl is mostly full and has great energy, but the upper bowl is sparsely populated. Neighbourhood 2 The neighborhood around Commonwealth Stadium is pretty low on interesting places to spend your money. Most of the area is older residential with some industrial stuff mixed in. You’ll find the End Zone Pub & Grill across the street to the north, and a McDonald’s and a Subway a little further east along 112 Ave. but that’s about it in the immediate vicinity. Heading west a few blocks, you’ll find yourself in Edmonton’s Little Italy. A bit of wandering up and down 95th St. should get you to you a suitable place to grab a bite. Sorrentino’s Bistro-Bar is a solid restaurant chain with tasty food, but they are closed on Sunday, so don’t plan for that place unless you’re going to a weeknight or Saturday game. Other options include Santo’s Restaurant and Lounge or the Italian Centre Shop. Generally speaking though, if you’re looking for some pre- or post-game entertainment or dining, you’ll be much better off heading elsewhere. Fans 4 Eskimos fans are used to success. A steady string of superstars and championships has made this franchise one of the crown jewels of the CFL. However, poor seasons in 2010, 2012 and 2013 dropped attendance down from over 37,000 per game in 2008 to around 32,000 in 2013, and they’ve stayed at about that number since then. Putting over 30,000 people in the stands still means the Eskies are one of the best-attended teams in the CFL, so they have a huge core group of fans who will show up rain or shine, win or lose. As noted above, the crowd seems relatively sparse in a stadium as big as Commonwealth Stadium, but credit where credit is due, the crowd noise can jump to over 90 decibels wherever you sit in the stands when something exciting happens, as the fans are very enthusiastic and engaged. Many people in the crowd are proudly wearing their green-and-gold attire, and that means that the fans in attendance are true fans who are with their team through thick or thin. Access 4 Don’t bother bringing your vehicle to Commonwealth Stadium; you won’t have anywhere to put it – parking at the stadium is extremely limited. You can try to find a neighborhood street that doesn’t require a permit to park, but those are few and far between. If you do need to drive to the area you can park at Northlands Park, a couple kilometres north east of Commonwealth Stadium, for $16 ($10 if you’re a season-ticket holder). From there it’s just a single stop south on the Light Rail Transit system to get where you’re going. Your best option, far and away, is simply sticking with public transit. The Eskimos have a long-standing agreement with the Edmonton Transit System (ETS); anyone with a game ticket gets to ride for free before and after the game. There are a number of express buses from several malls around town, but your best bet remains the LRT system – the train has a stop right outside the east side of the stadium. Do be aware that only a few train stops have Park and Ride lots (as noted above, you can use Northlands as well), so if your plan is to do just that, you’ll want to be sure to hit one of the locations where you can actually drop off your wheels. For people who are planning to buy their tickets at the stadium, ETS fares are only $3.25 for adults, so your trip there will still have a pretty reasonable price tag. Bonus props to the stadium for seeming quite spacious once inside. With the offset concessions areas, the concourse never seems particularly crowded, even at half time and at the end of the game, as the fans were filing out en masse; definitely a plus, especially if big crowds make you a little antsy. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $35 to $117, with many seats significantly discounted for youths. You can also grab seats in the south-most sections, known as the Save-On-Foods Family Huddle, for $28.50 (these tickets are available at Edmonton Save-On-Foods stores). This is by no means the cheapest place to see a CFL game, but still quite reasonable to watch a professional sports team. Odds are that you will see an entertaining game in a comfortable, energetic place, so Commonwealth Stadium is a good investment. Extras 5 The Eskimos have their primary team store located adjacent to their offices at the south end of the stadium, but there are also two very well-appointed locations inside the concessions areas off the east and west concourses. There are also a number of other, smaller kiosks around the concourse (and outside as well), so there’s lots of access to all the green-and-gold stuff you could ever want. There is a massive video screen located on the north end of the stadium providing game info and replays. This is a recent upgrade from an almost-equally massive screen that had been there. Unfortunately, the screen is almost impossible to see from the north-most upper deck sections, so if you want a view of the screen, stay away from sections EE, FF, NN, and OO (to be fair, these sections are generally not open for regular season games, so it shouldn’t be a problem most of the time). As noted above, there is a great sense of team history around the stadium, with numerous reminders of great teams and great players from the Eskimos past – this is a definite bonus to see as you look around the facility. During breaks in the action, the Eskimos Cheer Team and mascots Punter and Nanook keep people entertained. The Cheer Team dance, cheer, and perform acrobatics between plays, and also have a couple full-blown routines per game out on the field during longer stoppages. Punter and Nanook make their way around the field and visit in the stands, entertaining the kids and helping out with giveaways and contests during the game. Another feature for families is Brickley’s Knothole Corner. With the purchase of special seat tickets in Knothole Corner area in the south west corner of the stadium, families have access to a variety of kid-friendly activities. There are recycling bins in a number of locations around Commonwealth Stadium, so fans can make sure their waste is diverted away from landfills whenever possible. Final Thoughts The Edmonton Eskimos are unquestionably one of the class organizations of the CFL, and a class organization deserves a quality home. The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium delivers as a great place to take in a football game.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Stamford Bridge Fulham Rd London, England SW6 1HS United Kingdom Chelsea FC website Stamford Bridge website Year Opened: 1877 Capacity: 41,623 Stamford Bridge – Home of the Blues Stamford Bridge is one of the most storied stadiums in London and the United Kingdom. While Chelsea FC’s recent success has added to the history of the venue, there were times in the 1970s and 1980s when few would have guessed that it would eventually be home to London’s first European champion club after Chelsea won the 2012 Champions League. The stadium itself was initially built in 1877, long before Chelsea FC came into existence. It was owned by the London Athletic Club, who used it almost exclusively for track and field meetings. In 1904, the deeds to the ground were bought by one Mr HA (Gus) Mears and his brother Mr JT Mears, who had the intention of using the 12.5 acres as a home for a football club. Initially, Stamford Bridge was offered to Fulham FC, but when they declined, Chelsea FC came into life and have been there ever since. The famous Shed (south) End of the stadium — where most of Chelsea’s hardcore fans go — was built in the 1930s and remained until it was knocked down and turned into an all-seater stand in 1994. There was further redevelopment in the 1960s and 1970s, and the East Stand that was built in 1973 stills survives as part of a thoroughly modern stadium. In the late 70s, there were grossly ambitious plans to turn the Bridge into a 50,000 all-seater arena, but the powers-that-be had bitten off more than they could chew, and their plans almost brought the club to its knees. In the 1980s, when both hooliganism was at its height and the “Chelsea Headhunters” firm was running amok at home and abroad, Stamford Bridge was almost adorned with electric wires at the top of the fences that penned in fans. An idea of their publicity-seeking chairman of the time, Ken Bates, it was quickly put down. The final stage of development came in the early 1990s when the Shed, West, and North stands, were pulled down and rebuilt to turn Stamford Bridge into a highly-luxurious stadium that features 5-star restaurants, hotels, and numerous entertainment facilities that is a world away from the Headhunter days when rival fans would try and get away as soon as possible, if they dared go down the Bridge at all; such was the probability of violence. With the Champions League in the trophy cabinet and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich’s millions furnishing the team with world stars, the plan is to go bigger yet. Sadly, not at their one and only home, which is penned in by nearby houses and businesses and thus means that the search for a larger site that can comfortably hold 60,000 or more is well underway. Food & Beverage 5 Not many stadiums around the world have a Michelin-starred restaurant, but that is exactly what Chelsea have. Marco, run by award winning British chef Marco Pierre White, doesn’t serve the traditional food of a pie and pint, nor does it cost what you would pay for such fare. A three-course pre-match meal with half a bottle of wine and water comes in at £70 ($113). In fact, anyone going to Stamford Bridge certainly should not be heading home without a full belly with the wide range of drinking and eating establishments near the stadium. In the ground, there is a good range of the traditional options of pies pasties, chips, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Pints of beer or (plastic) glasses of wine go for £4; soft drinks are about £2.50, and pies, hot dogs and burgers about £5 ($8). Chocolate and crisps come in about £2 as well. Still, the quality is good and just what’s needed on a cold January afternoon. Post-match there is a sports-bar, Frankies, on-site, but don’t expect much change back from £20 for a round of four drinks. Outside the ground, Fulham Road has endless dining options: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, steakhouse. You name it, it will probably be an option. The main pub around Fulham Broadway station is Brogans (turn right out of the station) which serves the usual range of beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks as well as traditional pub grub such as fish and chips and bangers and mash (sausages, mash potatoes, and onion gravy). A walk of 15 minutes or so turning left out of the stadium and the station takes you to another part of Fulham Road which is replete with bars, pubs, and restaurants. Two pubs to look out for are the Fulham Tup and The Goat in Boots. Atmosphere 4 Most rival fans will tell you that Chelsea is populated by glory-hunting newcomers who have been seduced by Chelsea’s run of success in the last 10-15 years. In fact, there remain a large proportion of the crowd who remember the bad old days of the late 1970s and 80s when the club nearly went bust. As such, they are more than ready to make their voices heard and maintain the spirit of the old Shed, which was once among the most revered terraces for producing an electric atmosphere in a British stadium. Of course, the success of the club in recent years has meant that there has been a lot of high-profile matches in which the prize of a championship or place in a final has been on the line. That, in itself, has upped the tension and featured both the team and fans playing off one another. The Shed End and North Stand are still the heart of the atmosphere and they are decked out in banners, most notably to captain John Terry and star midfielder Frank Lampard. Neighborhood 4 Chelsea is one of London’s and Europe’s most salubrious areas, something that is reflected in their matchday program where a local estate agent runs adverts for £2million ($3.5million) apartments within walking distance of the stadium. That said, if you’re passing through it is probably one of the most pleasant areas surrounding a sports stadium anywhere in the world. Fulham Road is certainly a charming retail and entertainment street, but walk a few blocks and you reach the Kings Road, which was at the heart of London in the swinging 60s and made famous by Michael Caine, among others. Prices in the various shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are more for those whose earnings match a Premiership footballer, so for mere mortals, window shopping and people watching are the most affordable options in that particular part of town. Fans 3 With success and the club’s location to the centre of London, there are certainly a number of day-trippers to the stadium taking in a match during their visit to London on a match day. Nonetheless, there are still vocal hardcore fans trying to keep the atmosphere lively. The chants aren’t the most original, with “Chelsea, Chelsea” and “Come on Chelsea” the most noticeable. Their PA system does blast out the club’s anthem “Blue Is The Colour” from time to time to keep things bubbly. In contrast to the past when a trip to the Bridge was considered one of the most likely to turn into violence, the majority of fans are friendly and happy to chat. Besides, such is the cost of watching a match (see below) that most fans are hell bent on extracting the most they can out of their 90 minutes. Access 4 Whatever you do, do not travel to Chelsea FC by car. The roads around the stadium quickly clog up, especially on a Saturday afternoon, and there is precious little parking available nearby; what there is doesn’t come cheap. By far, the best bet is the Tube. The nearest station is Fulham Broadway and a quarter-mile walk (or long clearance) away from Stamford Bridge. The stop is on the district line, which runs north, south, east, and west and is about a 15 minute ride to the heart of London’s West End. There are two buses that run past Stamford Bridge: the 211 and the 414 (check Transport for London for where and when they run). For those who fancy a James Bond-esque entrance for a midweek match, there is a water bus that runs along the Thames from central London and stops at Westminster Pier right next to the Houses of Parliament before heading west to Chelsea Pier; from there, it is a just over a mile. However, it only runs from Monday to Friday and stops at 6.20pm. Return on Investment 3 Tickets at Chelsea don’t come cheap. For a category AA home match against the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal, the cheapest ticket is £30, but as that is part of the family stand, the purchaser will need at least one child with him or her with that ticket costing about £20. Prices drop for category A and B matches, though nothing below £40 ($65) for an adult. Interestingly, tickets for the Champions League group stages are the cheapest on offer at £50. Once you’re into the knockout stages, though, prices go through the roof. Of course, Chelsea’s status as one of the Premier League and Europe’s top sides means you are always likely to be entertained and see some goals; the stadium is comfortable, modern, and clean; and programs are reasonably priced at £3. Even so, there remains the slight feeling throughout your time at the Bridge that you are nothing more than a customer who the club will happily squeeze until they have got every last penny out of you. Meanwhile, everywhere you look you are reminded of the money the club has spent, from the Copthorne and Millennium Hotels to the price tags in the club shop and the cost of dining in the restaurant. Extras 3 Like all clubs, Chelsea has its own Megastore on site, next to the main entrance, with a smaller version selling the most popular goods across the other side of the stadium. Once in, you are able to purchase pretty much anything with a Chelsea badge on it, from playing and training kit to DVDs, coffee mugs and baby’s bibs. Fans can also go on a tour of the stadium and visit the club museum at a pretty fair cost of £18 ($30) for the two. The tour takes visitors pretty much all over the venue and once in the museum, queues quickly form for fans to have their photo taken with the Champions League trophy.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Deepdale Sir Tom Finney Way Preston PR1 6RU Preston North End website Deepdale website Year Opened: 1875 Capacity: 23,404 Into the Deep Deepdale is one of England’s oldest and most famous grounds. It is also home to Preston North End, one of the founding members of the Football League. Up until 2010, it was also home to England’s National Football Museum until its relocation to Manchester where it opened in 2012. Deepdale has been completely rebuilt into a 23,404 all-seated stadium and despite languishing in England’s third tier, it is a Premier League venue. The record attendance for the ground was set way back in 1938 when 42,684 witnessed a game against Arsenal. New Deepdale consists of four separate stands named after the club's most famous players: Sir Tom Finney, Bill Shankly, and Alan Kelly. The fourth is named the Invincibles Stand. A statue of Sir Tom is located outside of the stand named after him, called “The Splash”. Deepdale is also famous for having one of the first artificial pitches in Britain when one was laid in 1986. It was eventually replaced by grass in 1994. Food & Beverage 3 There are ample catering kiosks within all four stands that provide hot dogs, burgers, chips, pies, and mushy peas. A beer will cost you £3.50 and a pie £2.80. The Butter Pie which is made by the local Clayton Park Bakery a few miles from the venue is quite popular with supporters and is highly recommended. All of these are reasonably priced and the food is of good local quality. Atmosphere 3 Although the atmosphere of old Deepdale can never be replaced, the new version when full can become a close second. If North End can one day return to the top flight of English soccer where they were once one of the top dogs back in the 40s and 50s, then this will certainly be an outstanding venue to view English football. Neighborhood 3 Preston is a pleasant industrial city with a wide range of shops and public houses. The Mystery Tea Shop in the city center offers specialty teas and coffees in addition to Starbucks and Costa Coffee. Yate’s Pub, around a fifteen-minute walk away, is a regular watering hole for supporters as is the Sumners public house located on Tom Finney Way. You can also park here for 3 GBP which can be redeemed at the bar when purchasing food and drink. The nearby Sainsbury’s Supermarket also has its restaurant. There is a host of places to eat in the City Centre around a mile and a half away. Nearby Blackpool is one of England’s most famous seaside resorts. Fans 3 Preston North End has a loyal hard core of over 10,000 supporters and also takes a good following to away games. They would easily sell out if they were in the top division and locals are always welcoming when visiting. Local rivals are Blackpool, Blackburn, and Burnley, and derby games against these teams are well worth attending. Access 3 The stadium is easily reached by exiting Junction 31 of the M6 motorway and then following signs for Preston. Turn right at the Hesketh Arms roundabout onto Blackpool Road and you will eventually pass the stadium. Preston Railway Station is on the main west coast line to Scotland and is approximately one and a half miles away. Regular buses will run on a match day to Deepdale. Manchester and Liverpool Airports are both about one hour away. Return on Investment 3 Admission prices range from £5 for children up to £21 for adults with reductions for O.A.P’S. This is about the norm for this level of football although prices in the north are generally slightly cheaper for the same standard of football than those in the south. Extras 3 There is a club shop outside Deepdale selling a range of replica kits and souvenirs. Betting kiosks are available inside the stadium concourse in the vicinity of the catering outlets. A match day program is produced for all games priced at £3.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Bramall Lane Sheffield, England S2 4SU United Kingdom Sheffield United FC website Bramall Lane website Year Opened: 1855 Capacity: 32,702 Steeped in History Bramall Lane is arguably the most historic stadium in the sports world nowadays. Why? Because it is the oldest major football stadium still hosting football matches. Bramall Lane plays home to League One club Sheffield United or locally known as “The Blades” because of its worldwide reputation for steel production. Opened in 1855, Bramall Lane has seen record attendances of over 68,000; however, the current capacity is 32,702. Until 1973, Bramall Lane played host to not only Sheffield United, but Yorkshire County Cricket Club during the summer. The Blades were a fierce English club in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when they were winning the league and FA Cup in successive years. Nowadays, United has seen a bad downfall, though nothing like that of Wimbledon (now the Milton Keynes Dons because of that downfall) or Portsmouth. They’ve floated in and around the Premier League, most recently in 2006, but they have since dropped two tiers down to League One, where they have been since the 2011/12 season. Food & Beverage 3 The food at Bramall Lane is exactly how I expected it to be, hence why the average rating. Like all other football stadiums in England, there’s not a great range of hot food and snacks, and the main purchase is beer. The prices are quite expensive, with a burger being £3 ($4.60), a pie for £3 ($4.60), and a hot dog for £3.50 ($5.30). Alcohol-wise, 500 ml Carling plastic bottles are on sale for £3.50 ($5.30), which is expensive compared to other grounds. Atmosphere 5 Although “The Blades” have seen a bitter decline in recent years, the fans have kept loyal, bringing a new atmosphere to League One. When I say new, I mean a “Premier League”-esque atmosphere. This is because the fans chant away all game, unlike other lower-tier clubs, and there are many more fans in attendance. United stormed the Npower League One average attendance table for yet another year, setting the mark at just under 19,000! The atmosphere created is remarkable, and as the stadium is tightly compact and old, the noise stays trapped. In addition to this, when the team scores, the roar made by the fans is unbelievable and motivates the team to victory. When I visited Bramall Lane, I was thoroughly impressed with how loud the atmosphere was, which gave the game a tenser, more competitive edge. Bramall Lane gets a ten on my “Noise-o-meter” scale! The stadium is at its best, however, when the “Steel City Derby” takes place. This is when bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday visit Bramall Lane, which results in a packed house and ferocious atmosphere. It’s a real spectacle and grabs the eye of the nation when the game is televised. Neighborhood 5 I really can’t complain about the surroundings of Bramall Lane. When arriving at the stadium, you can just feel its history. This is because the stadium is surrounded by old-fashioned terrace housing, which I thought was that extra touch on my stadium experience. Also, it’s just minutes away from the city centre, meaning you have the option of making a day of your trip to Sheffield. The city itself is known for one of Europe’s best shopping malls, Meadow Hall, so if you’re trying to persuade your other half of coming along, it shouldn’t be a problem. Around the stadium, it’s extremely safe, and there is nothing to worry about as an away fan. Fans 4 The reason I have graded these fans so highly is that they are so loyal and loud. Yes, they may have a big stadium, but the amazing support Sheffield United receives is because the fans are true to the club, and it runs through their blood. The fans have stayed passionate, even after two relegations in four years. Without the huge average attendance, Bramall Lane would be a terrible stadium to visit, because it would be mostly empty and just have no noise generated. The noise made when The Blade's attack is intimidating for away supporters and makes Bramall Lane an absolute fortress. The fans are a friendly bunch and play the role of the crucial 12th man. The hardcore fans pack into the “Kop Stand”, and they are the heart and lungs of the songs/chants sung at each game. Access 3 Sheffield is an easily accessible place. However, like most other cities, it can be very busy at times. Around the stadium, the traffic is dealt with very well and doesn’t cause any problems. Parking-wise, there are a couple of official car parks near the Kennedy Kop and South stands, but if you want to avoid the high prices, there is a lot of street parking available – which I advise. If you’re not going by car, get off at the Sheffield Mainline station, where it’s a ten-minute walk to the stadium. Return on Investment 4 The pricing structure at Bramall Lane is that of many Premier League teams. They rate games in category A, B, and C (A being the highest quality). The ticket prices for an adult are £29,£35, and £40. The Blades are a top team in League One, with a lot of young talent, and really should be in the Championship aiming at Premier League status. The quality of football is of a very good standard, and although the prices are quite expensive, you get your money’s worth. Extras 5 Bramall Lane is a stadium that can boast so many different things, it’s quite fascinating. Firstly, the away stand is dedicated to Sheffield-born, Olympic hero, Jessica Ennis-Hill. As an away supporter, it gives your stadium experience just that little extra touch, which I find very cool. The historical impact always plays in the back of your mind, as after all it is the oldest major football stadium in the world and once a county cricket stadium. In addition to this, another key extra is that it’s just minutes away from the city centre, which is a must-see.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 DW Stadium Loire Dr. Wigan, England WN5 0UH Wigan Athletic website DW Stadium website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 25,133 Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium The DW Stadium was built in 1999 as a home for the Athleticsigan Athletic soccer team. Wigan’s previous home was Springfield Park, where most of the success came towards the end of their 67-year stay. The DW has a capacity of 25,133 and also provides a home for the Wigan Warriors Rugby League Team. Like most newly built stadiums in England, The DW is situated in the middle of a vast retail park. Wigan Athletics are renowned for their quite remarkable climb from the 4th tier of English football (Football League 2) in 1995 to the English Premier League in just a matter of 10 years. In addition to this, Wigan’s chairman, Dave Wheelan, is arguably the man who made this all happen when he took over the club that year. Wheelan is arguably one of the most famous and popular chairman in English football history. Food & Beverage 5 Wigan can boast some of the best pies in Britain, and that’s why I’ve given them full marks. The service is fairly quick, and the beer is of quality as well, which is a rarity in soccer stadiums. The usual food is served (sweets, crisps, and hot dogs), but the delicious variety of pies is the most popular option. The food and beverage prices are very reasonable, but if you aren’t willing to eat on the ground, a huge fish and chip restaurant is situated just outside, and a couple of fast food outlets are in the retail park. Atmosphere 3 Unless Wigan is Manchester United or Manchester City, the atmosphere is pretty poor. Very rarely will Wigan have a sell-out, and the only seats that get filled are the ones of the away supporters. The average attendance for Wigan is about 17,000 per game. However, for many Manchester will only attract about 13,000-14,000 fans. Most of the noise is made by a hardcore group of fans located at the side of the away supporters, constantly chanting and teasing them. sell-outI prefers a group of idiots like that. About 90% of the noise is made by the away support, which doesn’t make the DW a fortress. Neighborhood 3 Years ago, Wigan was an industrial place, which can be told by walking to the ground. Many of the mines have been converted into a deserted wasteland, which is now a year-round building site. Despite this, the surroundings of the DW are fine with a safe neighbourhood and plenty of places to eat. The retail park includes a Mcdonald's, Burger King, and Frankie and Bennies. The main attraction in the retail park is the “Red Robin”, which is an away fans-only pub, where you can enjoy a pre-match drink and pie. Fans 2 Despite having a decent year-roundneighborhoodMcdonald'sfans-only pub25,133-seater stadium, Wigan has the worst attendance record in the Premier League. The only positive I can grab is the support of the young children that will nearly fill the Boston Stand every game. The poor attendances are understandable, though, as Wigan is fighting for survival in the league nearly every year. Access 3 The DW is easily accessible via car by coming off from the M6 at Junction 25 and taking the A49 (Wigan Road). From then on, the ground is well signposted and a huge car park is just outside the ground. My only concern is when traveling by train. Once off the train, it’s a 20-minute walk to the stadium, and the bus and taxi services are rather iffy and inconsistent. Return on Investment 4 Although Wigan's 25,133-seater play is the most attractive football, the ticket prices are one of the cheapest in the Premiership. Ticket prices range from £10 for an “Under 16”, £15 for a concession, and £25 for an adult. A family trip to the DW would not only be cheap, but you can say you have had the experience of watching an EFL Championship League match. Extras 3 Wigan has a club shop outside the stadium, is 20-minute are on sale at £3, and the grounds offer some great vantage points of the doesn’t programs pitch

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Port Arthur Stadium 425 Winnipeg Ave. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6P7 Thunder Bay Border Cats website Port Arthur Stadium website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 3,031 Summer Baseball Across the Border Unless you’re an avid hunter or camper there likely has never been a reason for yourself or your family to venture anywhere near Thunder Bay, Ontario. This is arguably one of the most remote communities of more than 100,000 people on the continent as it’s located at the end of a winding four hour drive from Duluth, MN to the southwest. It sits eight hours east of Winnipeg and six hours west of Sault Ste. Marie. However, it’s a prime shipping port for Lake Superior and its pristine wilderness draws in outdoor enthusiasts. The community also has a hidden gem of a ballpark, Port Arthur Stadium, the home of the Northwoods Leagues Thunder Bay Border Cats. Thunder Bay’s location has never had it comfortably in the footprint of any league, but since the 1990s, the now-defunct Northern League and now the Northwoods League, have extended their Upper Midwest geography north and into Canada to take advantage of this park’s potential. The park dates back to the 1950s and was used exclusively for local town ball teams and also the occasional Canadian junior tournament until the professional Thunder Bay Whisky Jacks arrived in 1994. The team’s clever nickname, and teal-based colors, were a reflection of the 1990s and the team was a cult favorite in magazines but never a success at the box office. The team left after 1998, but along came the Border Cats in 2003 who enjoyed moderate success at first, but who now mostly play to crowds in the low hundreds as well. Food & Beverage 3 There is the usual array of ballpark from food from hot dogs to peanuts. However, down the third base line there is a stand offering barbecue pulled pork sandwiches and on the opposite side an ice cream stand for the warm summer months. On Saturdays with a ticket purchase, fans can order a steak, potato, and beer for $35. Local Sleeping Giant Brewing Company offers products at the ballpark and tall boys are $5 on Thirsty Thursdays. Atmosphere 2 Port Arthur Stadium is a classic ballpark from the post war boom that is definitely appreciated in a league such a summer collegiate league. The concession stands are underneath the covered grandstand and it is a ballpark design for the focus of watching baseball. Still, there is a lot of fun to be hand at Border Cats games. Unless the Border Cats are playing a playoff game (where sellouts are frequent), the crowd on most nights will top out in the low hundreds. On nights where it’s cool that number might even been in the dozens. Still, the sight lines are nice and the roof contains the sounds of the game and creates a stereo effect for your ears. It’s a relaxing night, even if it can be dull. It’s a shame, because while the park clearly shows its age, with chunks of concrete missing, the overall condition of the facility is amazing. The main grandstand extends from base to base wrapping around home with seats 3,000, all individual plastic seats. The seats begin five feet off the ground and extend up 20 rows, with all fans walking up to their seats. A roof covers all but the last few yards of seats down both baselines and a press box sits atop the roof. A drawback is that mesh netting runs the length of the seating structure. The staircases are very narrow (a throwback to the 1950s), and some steps have worn away so it can be dangerous in spots. The interior of the grandstand is also very tiny, with a hallway that is only slightly bigger than that inside a home, expected to flow fans to concessions and restrooms, but remember this wasn’t built for professional baseball. Still, the interior is painted bright white and red and the facilities underneath are kept clean. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is located in Port Arthur (Fort William is another city that combined to form Thunder Bay in the early 1970s) and you’ll hear plenty of untrue rumors about safety. The stadium itself sits next to the 1981 Canada Summer Games Aquatic Centre, which is still used as a city recreation center, and also a small hockey rink (this is Canada). Beyond right field is a former little league field that has been allowed to go into disrepair and is now used as a dog park. Just beyond center field is a major commercial strip that includes everything from chain restaurants and megastores to a gentlemen’s club. Fans 2 Sadly, there just aren’t many. Thunder Bay has had a checkered past of supporting teams for not only baseball but also hockey (though Lakehead University has been a box office success recently). The excuses are plentiful and the dozens of fans at the game you attend will be quick to tell them to you from weather, to the lack of media exposure. Access 1 Unless you fly into Thunder Bay (which is very expensive), your likely trek will be from Duluth, Minnesota, hugging Lake Superior. On a map it doesn’t look far, but because it’s a two-lane road in the wilderness it takes up to four hours and that doesn’t include the 10 minute stop at the border. Once inside the ballpark itself, the concourse is easily manageable and crowds are never near capacity for most games. The signs for bathrooms and exits/entrances are clearly marked. Return on Investment 3 Getting to Thunder Bay is a hassle, but at the end is a gem of a ballpark that otherwise wouldn’t have been seen. Port Arthur Stadium isn’t one of the classic minor league ballparks, nor should it be considered as such, but is worth a visit as it’s been fairly well maintained. Just noticing how small the aisles and hallways are further brings into perspective how much bigger society has gotten in general. The club offers weekly promotions that include Mega Mondays where it is all you can eat for $32, Toonie Tuesdays where kids tickets, pizza slices, and pop are just $2, and Weenie Wednesdays where hot dogs are just a loonie. Extras 4 Thunder Bay is home to the largest grain elevators in North America and they provide the backdrop/skyline of Thunder Bay beyond centerfield. The city itself also offers a number of picturesque views of Lake Superior and the wilderness that surrounds the civilized areas. If you’re one into hunting or fishing or camping, this is definitely a place to checkout and maybe make the ballgame something that is done on a day into town. Final Thoughts Port Arthur Stadium is a throwback but ideal for Northwoods League baseball. The team is under new ownership and hopefully there will be a few new changes to the gameday experience, but still provide baseball in town for the foreseeable future.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Shrine on Airline 6000 Airline Dr Metairie, LA 70003 Shrine on Airline Stadium website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 10,000 The Baby Cakes’ Crib The 2017 baseball season brought a number of changes to the AAA affiliate of the Miami Marlins. First, the team changed its name from the Zephyrs to the Baby Cakes (more on the name later). This necessitated the stadium being rechristened officially from Zephyr Field to the Shrine on Airline. Many locals still refer to the facility by its old name of 20 years, or choose to combine the two and call it “Zephyr Field at The Shrine on Airline”. The “Airline” reference is to the highway the stadium is located on. The Baby Cakes are members of the Pacific Coast League and over the years have gone to the PCL playoffs nine times, with five league championships and one AAA national pennant. Food & Beverage 4 New Orleans has always been known as a “foodie” city and the management at the Shrine on Airline knows that. They make sure they have a full array of the typical baseball fare, including hot dogs ($4.75), nachos ($6), a Southwestern chicken wrap ($7), large popcorn ($7), pretzels ($5), pickles ($1.50), chips ($2),cracker jacks ($3),and peanuts ($4). Pepsi beverages are served, including Pepsi sodas (24 oz. fountain drink for $4.50 or 20 oz. bottled soda for $6) or bottled water ($3). Draft beers are 16 oz. ($7). Thirsty Thursdays bring beers down to $2 and Two for Tuesdays provide two beers for the price of one. As you would suspect, the Baby Cakes also have a number of local favorites on their concession menu. They are available at stands with names like Bayou Social, Sugar Baby, Voodooque, Big Easy Dogs and Louisiana Links. You can expect gumbo ($7), red beans and rice ($7), po’ boy sandwiches ($9), jambalaya ($7) and pigskin nachos ($6) to be readily available as well. Bourbon Street comes to the ballpark through Bayou Social, where a wide variety of beers, cocktails and mixed drinks are available. Atmosphere 4 Despite the various name changes, the stadium amenities remain the same. The Shrine on Airline has chair back seating for 10,000 fans in a two level stadium. 1,000 more fans can watch the game from the berm (The Levee) beyond the center field wall. The stadium has 16 luxury suites and two party areas, the Cakes Party Shack along the first base line and the Metairie Bank Home Run Porch, which is located atop the left field wall. Two unusual amenities at the stadium are a swimming pool and a pair of hot tubs for use by groups attending the game. A very colorful scoreboard/video board in center field provides replays and info related to the players. The playing field has a natural surface, with dimensions of 330 feet to both left and right field and 400 feet to dead center. Neighborhood 3 The Shrine on Airline is actually located in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, which is 10 miles northwest of the riverfront and entertainment districts of New Orleans and 4 miles east of the Louis Armstrong International Airport. The location was chosen as it is less prone to flooding from the Mississippi River and does not face the high land expense of being located downtown. The stadium is rather isolated as far as dining or lodging choices within walking distance of the stadium (fortunately the food choices at the game are above average.) The restaurants that are located nearby are not fancy to look at, but the food they serve is excellent. Three that we recommend are Bevi Seafood and the Frostop at Clearview. You also have close proximity to the Metairie location of New Orleans Original Daiquiris to get your Bourbon Street beverage fix taken care of. Your best variety of lodging choices will be four miles west of the stadium near the airport. Brands in the area include Days Inn, Hilton and Marriott. Obviously there are a huge number of lodging choices just 10 miles away in downtown New Orleans… just be prepared for the extremely high prices anywhere near Bourbon Street or the Convention Center. However…you’re in New Orleans so let the good times roll! Fans 3 New Orleans is known for its hospitality and showing visitors a good time. The management of the Baby Cakes makes sure a trip to the ballpark is no different. The team is outfitted in new uniforms in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold, music is always playing and there is some type of contest or entertainment taking place between each inning. The seating is close to the field and there is no bad seat in the house. After Katrina, the necessary repairs resulted in a much nicer scoreboard to keep you updated on the game stats and upcoming events. Fortunately, the new team name has not resulted in a diapered baby mascot waddling around the park. You will be thoroughly entertained by Boudreaux Nutria and his wife Clotile, a pair of bayou creatures who set up shop at the stadium long ago. The baseball team has dealt with low attendance in recent years despite being well priced and entertaining. There are a number of issues that have led to this problem. The distance from the prime tourist areas of New Orleans is one of the most obvious causes. Other issues are that New Orleans in the summer time can be extremely hot and humid, making a three hour game into a steam bath for the fans and finally, that New Orleans is still, even 12 years later, recovering from the effects of Katrina. Access 3 The Shrine on Airline is easily accessible from its namesake Airline Drive. Airline is a main thoroughfare connecting New Orleans with Louis Armstrong International Airport. This provides greater accessibility than many of the narrow streets within the New Orleans CBD and riverfront areas. The access to I-10 is also much easier from Metairie than downtown New Orleans. The concourses within the stadium are wide and provide for a good flow during the game. There are two drawbacks to the accessibility at The Shrine on Airline. One is that like all buildings in the New Orleans area, the water table is just below the surface. This means the field cannot be excavated to a lower level. As a result the stadium concourses are elevated higher than the entrance to the stadium. This can cause a backup at the stadium gate. The second problem is that there are only two entrances and exits into the parking lot, resulting in a slow departure after the game. Return on Investment 4 The prices at the Shrine on Airline are what you typically would expect at the AAA level of baseball. Advance ticket prices are $12 for adults on the lower level or $10 on the upper level (game day sales are $1 more). Children, seniors, first responders, and military can attend for $11 in the lower level and $9 in the upper deck. Seats on the Levee are considered General Admission and are $5. Parking in the stadium lot is $5. The food prices are very good and the selection of regional foods available far exceeds most ballparks. Extras 5 Baseball, like the city of New Orleans, is a survivor. A team has played in the Crescent City region for over 110 years. In this period, the professional teams representing New Orleans have been members of five different leagues, had innumerable name changes and been affiliated with 14 of the 30 major league franchises. The Shrine was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, but never missed a game. The end of the 2005 season ended three days prior to the storm coming ashore and the stadium was the first professional sports facility in the area to resume play with the 2006 season opener taking place on time. This provided a great emotional lift to the area and was the first sign that New Orleans was on the way to recovery. The game day staff is known as the Krewe. They do an outstanding job of making your trip to the Shrine a fun and enjoyable experience. The berms behind the outfield fences are known as “The Levee” and mark the highest altitude in the city of Metairie, which is below sea level. The name “Baby Cakes” refers to a longtime New Orleans tradition at Mardi Gras. A small plastic baby is hidden inside of a Mardi Gras cake, known as a King Cake. Whoever finds the baby in their slice of cake is considered to have good luck for the next year. The team will provide a lifelong pass to Baby Cake games to any child born in the state of Louisiana during 2017. Additionally, these babies will also be eligible for a raffle where the winner will win a 4 year scholarship from the team to attend any state college in the Pelican State. In addition to minor league baseball, the Shrine on Airline has hosted the Conference USA baseball tournament on two occasions and one Sun Belt Conference baseball tournament. After Hurricane Katrina, both the University of New Orleans and Tulane University played a season at the Shrine, as their campus stadiums received much greater damage from the storm.

Photos by Chris Patton, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Rent One Park 1000 Miners Dr. Marion, IL 62959 Rent One Park website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 7,000 Fun for Everyone at Rent One Park Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois is home to the Southern Illinois Miners of the independent Frontier League. The stadium opened on May 29, 2007, as the Miners defeated the Evansville Otters with over 6,300 fans in attendance. In their inaugural season, the Miners set Frontier League attendance records and continue to draw good crowds to the ballpark near the intersection of I-57 and Illinois Route 13. Rent One Park has 3,200 chair seats (with cup holders) and lawn seating for over 2,000. Additional seating is available in two picnic gardens. The Budweiser Bullpen Bar-n-Grille has picnic table seating for 300, while the Rent One Picnic Garden beyond the outfield walls seats another 500 fans. The park also has 14 suites and a banquet facility. EDITOR'S Note: The Southern Illinois Miners folded at the end of the 2021 season. Food & Beverage 4 There are four concession stands in Rent One Park. The stands offer all the ballpark staples, but they take it to the next level by offering them several different ways. For example, Nathan’s hot dog is $3.50, but for $0.50 more, you can get a chili cheese dog, salsa dog, or cheese dog. French fries are $3, while garlic or chili cheese fries are $3.50. The garlic fries aren’t the same quality as those at a San Francisco Giants game but are enjoyable. The variety continues with five different versions of nachos, ranging in price from $3.25 to $6. At the main concession stands, regular soda is $2.75, while a large is $4. Bottles of Pepsi products sell for $3.25. Draft beers are $3.75 and bottled beers are $4.75. The Budweiser Bullpen Bar-n-Grille down the right-field line also offers a wide variety of food and drink. In this location, you can dine on several different burgers or chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, and sausages. Draft beers listed are Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and 312. For a $0.75 savings, Natural Light drafts are also available. At freestanding carts along the concourse, three different types of cheesesteaks and Italian sausage with peppers are grilled up and sold for $6. Leinenkugel’s and Redd’s drafts are listed, as well. For dessert, one item that is recommended is the funnel cake fries. The $4 treat might seem more at home at the county fair than a ballpark but is worth trying. Atmosphere 4 Rent One Park is still a new facility at just a few years old and remains in great shape. As we walked into the stadium, the team staff handed us a free replica jersey and game program. The program is a small magazine or newspaper but is very informative. There had been some rain in the area before the game, but ushers walked with fans to their seats and wiped them down with a towel before anybody sat down. The concourse is wide open and covered in most areas, in case of rain. At the end of the concourse down the left-field line is a kids’ play area with six inflatables. This is right near the lawn seating, so parents can keep one eye on the game and one eye on their kids playing in a bounce house. The team’s name is a tribute to the history of coal mining in southern Illinois. The concourse walls feature black and white photos of local coal miners from years past. Along with the miner mascot, Big John is a canary mascot that celebrates runs by dancing on the dugout with one of the team’s Diamond Girls, who helped out with promotional contests. Rent One Park’s playing surface is Sportexe Turf. While this takes away from the charm for baseball, it allows several other events such as football, concerts, and pro-wrestling to take place throughout the year. The bullpens are behind the right-field fence. Behind and above the bullpens are the scoreboard, video screen, and several advertising panels. One of the advertisements is for Pitt Lite, the official mining light of the ball club. Their advertisement includes a large mining helmet light that is turned on during the game. Neighborhood 3 A new exit off of Interstate 57 essentially leads you right to the Rent One Park parking lot. The stadium is set back from IL Route 13, the main thoroughfare in Marion that leads to Carbondale, home of Southern Illinois University. Route 13 has been developed significantly since the early 1990s. The road now features a mall, numerous big box stores, chain restaurants, and hotels. 17th Street BBQ is one of the closest restaurants to Rent One Park. The restaurant has been featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel. The menu features a wide variety of appetizers, sandwiches, and platters. The pulled pork sandwich is big and filling and hushpuppies are a welcome sight as a side item. The bar features several local selections from Big Muddy Brewing out of Murphysboro, Illinois. Fans 4 Along with Southern Illinois Salukis sports, Miners baseball has become a source of pride for the folks in and around Marion. The success and stability of the team have endeared the Miners to the community. While fans aren’t coming out in the record numbers of the opening season anymore, there are still plenty of excited and knowledgeable folks attending games in team gear. That is not always the case with independent baseball. Access 4 Parking is available for $3 in a spacious lot just outside the main stadium gates. You should have no trouble getting in and out of the lot. Keep an eye peeled for fans that are staying at one of the nearby hotels and walking back after the game. Rent One Park features plenty of clean, large restrooms with no waiting in line. Return on Investment 4 General Admission tickets sell for $7, Box Seats sell for $10 in advance ($2 extra on the day of game), and Club Seats sell for $14 in advance ($1 extra on game day. Tickets and parking are comparable with other independent sports franchises. My meal of Polish sausage, garlic fries, and a regular soda was a fair deal at $10.75. Extras 3 On the outfield wall is a sign honoring former Miner, Joey Metropolous. The ninth-round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004 became a fan favorite in Marion for his home run power and had his jersey retired in 2014. Nearly every Miners game has some sort of promotion or special theme. The game I attended was on the first Saturday of the college football season. Much of the night featured players using college fight songs as their walk-up music. Some players represented their alma maters, but others just had a school and fight song assigned to them. It was a nice tie-in to what was going on in the sports world that day. Final Thoughts Baseball remains king in southern Illinois. While the Miners will never replace the St. Louis Cardinals in the hearts of area residents, Rent One Park has become a destination for local sports fans.

Photos by Scott Bultman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Jim Perry Stadium 76 Upchurch Ln Buies Creek, NC 27506 Buies Creek Astros website Jim Perry Stadium website Year Opened: 1946 Capacity: 1000 Up Buies Creek Without a Future There are six levels in the affiliated minor leagues: AAA, AA, A-Advanced (High A), A (Low A), Short-Season A, and Rookie. For the first four levels, each MLB team has exactly one club per level, while 22 teams have short-season clubs in the New York-Penn and Northwest Leagues and 18 have franchises in the Appalachian and Pioneer Leagues. Usually, when a franchise moves, it does so within its league. For example, the Brevard County Manatees are now the Florida Fire Frogs, having moved from Melbourne to Kissimmee while remaining in the Florida State League. But it is possible for teams to move across leagues at the same level. It is obviously important to have an even number of teams in each league, so the only way this could happen was if two teams left one league and moved to another. Given the geographic concentration of the lower level circuits, such a situation is rare, but it did happen this past offseason. Two teams that had struggled in the High A California League jumped all the way over to the Carolina League. Well, that is not quite true. The High Desert Mavericks and Bakersfield Blaze ceased operations in the California League, while the Down East Wood Ducks (who play in Kinston, North Carolina) and Buies Creek Astros were created as expansion teams in the Carolina League, also a High-A federation. The main difference between a straight move and the contraction/expansion method is that franchise records do not transfer over to the new teams; they are starting from scratch in terms of history. The Astros are an interesting team because they are only around for two seasons before it relocates 30 miles south to Fayetteville and gains a new identity. For the time being, the team will use Jim Perry Stadium on the campus of Campbell University. As this is a college ballpark, the experience here is quite different than you would expect from a minor league venue. Food & Beverage 2 There is a single concession stand behind the main building just inside the gate with very basic offerings at very cheap prices. Hot dogs and nachos are $3; sandwiches (BBQ or chicken) are $4, while pretzels, peanuts, and candy are $2. The only special thing at the stand is a cream-cheese filled pretzel for $4. There is also an ice cream cart that sells one scoop for $3 and two for $5. There are a few picnic tables next to first base if you want to sit comfortably and enjoy your meal. Bottled soda and water is provided by Coca-Cola and sells for $2, as are two varieties of cappuccino. There is no alcohol sold, as this is a campus venue. Atmosphere 2 The stadium was originally built in the 1940s but an extensive renovation in 2012 makes it seem entirely new. It is a simple place, with a seating bowl that surrounds home plate. Three sections of reserved seats in the middle and a section of GA benches on either end. You can find shade along the top row of seats for afternoon games. There is also a new pavilion named after Perry and his wife along the third base line that is open to the public for Buies Creek games. Netting protects the entire seating area, which is normal at college ballparks where aluminum bats are used. There is also a new scoreboard above right field that is quite nice. There are no on-field promotions or any other amenities you would find at a typical ballpark such as a kids zone, starting lineup board, or Road to the Show exhibit. This is a temporary home and thus baseball is important here, not making money. Neighborhood 2 The Campbell University campus is nice enough, though rather deserted in the summer. I did not see anything open as I drove in. The nearest sports bars are about 3 miles west in Lillington – the Lillington Sports Zone is along US 421 and has a large seating area and a separate bar, while the County Seat Sports Grille is located in the center of town. Fans 2 Given that the team is leaving in two years, there isn’t much reason to invest time here, but there are some loyal followers. Merchandise is a big seller since, it will not be available past 2018, and most fans had some sort of gear on. Attendance is low, but so is seating capacity and fans that stayed throughout a long game. Access 4 Buies Creek is about an hour south of Raleigh, though no Interstates go directly there. US-421 is the road that goes directly by Campbell, once on campus, it is easy to drive to the stadium and find parking right outside. Inside, there is no problem getting around or with restrooms or concession lines. Return on Investment 5 Tickets here are $7 for the reserved seats and $5 for general admission. The benches can be uncomfortable after a while, so you might want to splurge for the better seats. As parking is free and the food is very cheap, this is a great spot to watch prospects play without spending more than $10. Extras 1 As you can probably tell, there is nothing much here beyond the stadium. There is a banner honoring Jim Perry, who pitched for Campbell between 1956-59 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 1970 while playing for the Minnesota Twins. Final Thoughts A Buies Creek Astros game is a unique experience in the minor leagues. If you like your baseball with no distractions, pay a visit to Jim Perry Stadium this year or next, before they disappear forever.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Riverfront Stadium 850 Park Road Waterloo, IA 50703 Waterloo Bucks website Riverfront Stadium website Year Opened: 1946 Capacity: 5,000 Improved Experience at Riverfront Stadium Riverfront Stadium opened its doors in 1946 as Municipal Stadium and was home to the Waterloo White Hawks of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. In 1958, the stadium played host to a Midwest League team and the relationship continued until the end of the 1993 season when the then Diamonds left Waterloo for Lansing, Michigan, where they remain today. Riverfront Stadium hosted the University of Northern Iowa baseball team until the end of the 2009 season when UNI got rid of its baseball program. Currently, Riverfront Stadium plays host to the Waterloo Bucks of the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league, comprised of 22 teams. Players must have college eligibility remaining to play and the league uses wooden bats. In 2015 the team began improving its primary focus at improving the fan experience at Riverfront Stadium. The changes were felt and it was a positive step in the right direction for the team. The city, which owns the stadium, had even earmarked $35,000 in general obligation bond funds for the box seats. The old ballpark has a lot of charm and life left in it and it is an ideal venue for NWL during the months of June and July. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concessions stands, one on the third base side and one on the first base side. They are on the back side of the seating bowl, out of view of the field. A decent amount of traditional ballpark fare is available at generally reasonable prices. Among the highlights is the fry helmet ($9). This concoction of all things fried is served in a helmet and if this is your thing, you can’t go wrong. The helmet nachos ($7.50) are quite popular as well. Among the other items available are: hot dogs, brats, burgers, walking tacos, pizza, veggie burgers, and your typical snacks, most ranging from $3-$5. Pepsi products are the soda choices with your best bet being the 32 oz. Bucks cup for $3.50. Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Keystone Light alumiteks run $4.25 with Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Harder Cranberry, and Redd’s Apple Ale at $5.25 for tallboys. For more options, there is a small bar located on the first base side, near concessions. Atmosphere 4 Upon entering the seating bowl, it’s hard not to notice the wealth of greenery behind the outfield wall with a vast amount of trees taking up the whole area behind the wall, and is very nice on the eyes. A few rows of box seats sit behind home plate and run from dugout to dugout. The majority of the stadium is general admission with the best GA seats being behind the box seats. The GA seats behind home plate are covered and are certainly a nice option in the heat and humidity of the Midwest. Two sections of bleachers are located down the left field line and one down the right field line. Outside of the box seats, all seats are bleachers with the covered being a bit more comfortable because there are backs to them. In the right field corner is the Bud Party Deck. Here, groups of 30 or more can take in a game for $25 which includes all you can eat and drink. The Coors Light Lounge is in the left field corner and is for smaller groups of 15 or more for the same cost. There have been noticeable upgrades made between the 2014 and 2015 season, and all for the positive. The dingy looking green bleachers have fresh blue and yellow paint (the colors of the Bucks) and something as simple as a coat of paint makes an enormous difference. The speakers were upgraded before the start of the 2015 season, making the sound noticeably better. Music is played between innings when promotions aren’t ongoing and the traditional walkup music for the home batters is played. In the past, music was quite often played in between pitches which bordered on the annoying side. If it is still occasionally done, it isn’t even noticeable as it is kept to a minimum. The stadium is also noticeably cleaner than in the past. All these factors make for a fun game day experience. Neighborhood 2 There is very little in the immediate area in the way of food and drink as the stadium is surrounded by a large park area, a cemetery, and a residential area. There are plenty of options around town and within reasonable driving distance. If attending a day game and breakfast is your thing, Morg’s Diner is the place for you. Morg’s has great food at decent prices and is only a few blocks from the stadium. The one drawback is they close at 1 pm. Another great option is Jameson’s Public House in downtown Waterloo. Jameson’s is a great Irish pub and the menu has something for everybody. If you are a fan of Shepherd’s Pie, this is about as good as it gets. Wrestling is big in Iowa. If you are a fan of amateur or professional wrestling, don’t leave Waterloo without visiting the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum. The museum has so much to offer for fans of amateur and Olympic wrestling and also has its own wing for professional wrestling. It is definitely worth a visit. 75 minutes east of Waterloo you will find the Field of Dreams movie site, in Dyersville, Iowa. It’s a bit of a drive but entirely worth the time, especially in July and August when the corn is at its highest. This site from the iconic movie is an absolute must for any baseball fan and is completely free. Fans 4 The passion shown by the fans is very impressive. Gathering at Bucks games is very community oriented and it is a meeting place for friends to catch up and take in some baseball. The Bucks do a good job of incorporating fans into the game through promotions before and during the game. The fans are into the game and generally knowledgeable about what is occurring on the field. Access 3 Waterloo isn’t centrally located to much else and getting to the stadium is a bit of a trek when coming from out of town. Once you are at the stadium though, getting around is very simple. There is plenty of parking available and avoiding the first couple rows around the front of the stadium is a good idea due to potential foul ball issues. Restrooms are sufficient for the average crowd that the team draws although there may be some wait in a packed house. Getting around isn’t an issue with the concessions and restrooms being on the back side of the seating bowl. Return on Investment 5 It’s hard to beat the price of attending a Bucks game. Parking is free and single game tickets range from $5 for general admission to $8 for box seats. With the reasonable cost of food and drinks and constant promotions that give better deals, you get tremendous bang for your buck. Extras 3 The Bucks have a nice team store located near the first base concession stand. Around the park, you will find pennants and other reminders of the Bucks success, a nice look into the past. A nice option, especially for the kids, is the ability to see the teams prepare. Behind the right field Bud Deck are the batting cages. If you arrive early enough, you can watch some of the players taking batting practice up close. Also, along both lines, you can watch the starting pitchers warm up while being literally a few feet away. Final Thoughts Under new ownership, the Bucks have made a concerted effort to make attending a game more fan friendly. The park is much more pleasant to the eye, much cleaner, and the improvement to the sound system and much less intrusion of constant music blaring out of bad speakers has made the game day experience at Riverfront Stadium fabulous. If you find yourself near Waterloo, a trip to Riverfront Stadium will yield a very good time for a minimal amount of money.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 J. O. Christian Field 509 Stadium Rd Storrs, CT 06269 Connecticut Huskies website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 2,000 The Homering Huskies J.O. Christian Field is named for the University of Connecticut’s longtime baseball coach and athletic director J. Olean Christian. Christian served as the school’s baseball coach from 1936 to 1961. He also served as UConn’s football coach and basketball coach during his tenure. He was the first commissioner of the Yankee Conference. Christian led the Huskies to 254 wins and two College World Series appearances while serving as head coach. Baseball has been played at the University of Connecticut since 1896. In their lengthy history, the Huskies have qualified for 18 NCAA tournaments, and have made 5 College World Series appearances, most recently in 1979. Sixteen former Huskies have made it to the major leagues, most notably 1950 American League Rookie of the Year Walt Dropo, along with pitchers Charles Nagy and Roberto Hernandez. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand behind the visitor’s dugout on the first base side of J.O. Christian Field. It offers a basic menu, including hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. Assorted snacks, including nachos, popcorn, cotton candy and pretzels can be purchased here. Fans looking for more snack foods can select Oreo or Reese’s Pie as well as assorted flavors of Dippin’ Dots. Thirsty Husky fans can choose from assorted Coca Cola products. There is no alcohol served at this on-campus facility. Atmosphere 3 Veteran fans of college baseball in the northeast will find a lot that feels familiar at a UConn baseball game, including a small but dedicated crowd in attendance and a scaled-down gameday presentation that limits extraneous noise and distractions. It’s a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere at which to watch some quality baseball. UConn does provide a couple of extras not often seen in these parts. The Husky mascot, Jonathan, can be found interacting with younger fans. The athletic department offers a couple of contests during the game, giving prizes to the fan who can correctly guess the timing of the seventh inning stretch as well as giveaways after each Husky home run. Neighborhood 3 The tiny town of Storrs, Connecticut is dominated by the university. Storrs’ population of nearly 11,000 is overshadowed by UConn’s undergraduate enrollment of 16,000, with an additional 5,000 enrolled in graduate programs. The university is located over a sprawling 4,000 acres, and is largely self-contained, which is a necessity given Storrs’ rural location. UConn’s origins as an agricultural school help to explain its rural location. Fans looking to stay in Storrs will find their choices limited. Most fans who come to the area will do so as a day trip, moving on after the game to the larger cities of Hartford, 45 minutes away or Boston, located 90 minutes from the UConn campus. The twin casinos of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are located a short 45 minute drive from Storrs. Fans looking for places to dine before or after a Husky game will find a growing number of eateries on either Storrs Road or North Eagleville Road. Geno’s Grille, named for UConn’s legendary women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, Dog Lane Café and the Altnaveigh Inn are popular spots. Hotel accommodations near campus include the Best Western Regent, the Countryside B&B and the Hampton Inn. If visiting UConn for a baseball game, you must be sure to stop at the UConn Dairy Bar after the game. The Dairy Bar, operated entirely by students, has been in operation since 1953 to sell dairy products that are made on site. While enjoying your ice cream you can see the cows grazing in the adjacent fields. Visitors to the Dairy Bar can watch the cows being milked or the ice cream being made every day. Fans 2 While UConn baseball enjoys larger crowds than most of their fellow New England teams, typical crowds are still quite small when compared to other parts of the country. Even the largest Husky baseball crowd generally tops out at 500 fans. Most of the fans in attendance on any given day have a personal connection with the players on the field. There is a minimal turnout by the student body. While the crowd may be small, they are very knowledgeable about the home team and enthusiastic about the action on the field. Access 3 The University of Connecticut is located in rural Storrs, Connecticut, a village in the town of Mansfield. The campus is a 45 minute drive from Hartford, the capital and largest city in the state. Fans wishing to drive to the UConn campus will be well served in knowing that no highway serves Storrs directly, and a drive through the scenic eastern Connecticut countryside is necessary no matter what direction one is coming from. The closest interstate is route 84, which runs in a north-south direction connecting Hartford with the Massachusetts Turnpike. From I-84, fans will have to navigate local highways for about seven miles to the UConn campus. For fans traveling by train or bus to UConn, be aware that there are no stations in the town of Storrs. However, the Union Station Shuttle transports round trip from the Storrs campus to Union Station in Hartford. The closest airport to the UConn campus is Bradley International Airport just north of Hartford. Shuttles are available to the airport from the university. J.O Christian Field is located on the southwest edge of UConn’s campus. Adjacent to the baseball field are several other athletic facilities, including the impressive Shenkman training center and Gampel Pavilion, the largest on-campus basketball arena in New England. Parking is available across the street from J.O. Christian Field in the large lot next to Frietas Ice Forum. Four sets of metal bleachers scattered around the field provide the seating here, with plenty of standing room available for fans wishing to stretch their legs. While there are no permanent restroom facilities here, there are a bunch of port-a-johns for use. Be warned that there are no paved paths at Christian Field, so be wary of where you step. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge for admission or parking at J.O. Christian Field. Concessions sold here are reasonably priced, so you will not break the bank at a Husky baseball game. Of course, you have the option of bringing your own snacks to enjoy during the game, so it’s entirely possible to not spend any money during your trip to Storrs. Extras 1 An extra point is awarded for the gameday elements not usually found in this part of the country, including the presence of the school’s mascot, as well as the giveaways and contests held during the game. Final Thoughts As of the writing of this review (May 2017), UConn was moving forward with a plan to renovate and relocate several of their on-campus athletic facilities. This project will cost an estimated $46 million, which will be paid for through donations and ticket surcharges. J.O. Christian Field will be demolished and replaced with a 1,500 seat facility, which will have lights, a press box and dugouts with restrooms, and luxury boxes. It will be located across the street on the present site of Morrone Stadium. A new ballpark would aim to improve fan experience and help in recruiting. While J.O. Christian Field is among the nicer college ballparks in New England, it can’t compete with the larger college fields elsewhere in the American Athletic Conference. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Ryan Napralla, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Fox Cities Stadium 2400 N Casaloma Dr Appleton, WI 54912 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers website Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 5,900 Snakes in the Fox’s Den The community of Appleton, Wisconsin is the largest of the Fox Cities, a collection of towns that lie along the Fox River. Located just over 100 miles north of Milwaukee, and about 30 miles southwest of Green Bay, Appleton is also home to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League. The team continues a proud tradition of minor league baseball in the area, playing out of Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium, another of the venues that manage to acquire sponsorship money without giving up the original name of the stadium. The ballpark is actually located in Grand Chute but uses an Appleton mailing address. The Timber Rattlers began as the Appleton Foxes in 1962 and spent three seasons as the Fox Cities Foxes as well, before rebranding in 1995 in an effort to attract fans from across the Dairy State. It was during that season that they moved into Fox Cities Stadium, which is now in its 23rd year. So how does a trip to see the Snakes play in Fox’s den compare? Read on to find out. Food & Beverage 5 The food here is among the most varied I have seen at any minor league ballpark. There are several concession stands each with very detailed menus as you can see in the photo gallery. Each stand has a few unique items to do check them all out before deciding. It would be foolish to detail the choice here, as it would take up the entire review. My recommendation is the Authentic Wisconsin Grill, where a freshly made grilled cheese sandwich is just $5, though there are other heartier options such as a helmet mac ‘n’ cheese for $5 or a grilled Cajun chicken mac ‘n’ cheese sandwich for $10. Other stands have fried cheese curds for $5. As you are in the Dairy State, cheese is mandatory. Pepsi products are available with a 16-ounce soda going for $3.50, 21-ounces for $4.50, and a 32-ounce souvenir cup $6.75 (refills are $3.75), while bottled soda is $4.25. An excellent variety of craft beer is available at most stands, with Leinenkugel’s Snake Tail Ale the obvious choice for Rattlers rooters. $6.25 gets you 16 ounces, two bucks more gets you a large (24 ounces). Domestic beers (Miller/Coors obviously, but Budweiser is also available) are slightly cheaper. If that is not enough, there is an all-you-can-eat buffet ticket for $30 with seating along the first base line. As well, there are patio sections with wait staff along both sides of the stadium that are great for families that want to share several items. Box seat holders can also visit the Fox Club, which offers an extended menu. The free program contains a map of all concession stands and can be a good reference guide. In sum, come hungry to Fox Cities Stadium, it might have the best food choices of any stadium in the minors. Atmosphere 4 Entering by the main gate, you will immediately be greeted by a giant bobblehead of the mascot, Fang, whose wobbling head is a source of unlimited amusement to children. In the seating bowl, you will find ten rows of maroon seats to match the team color and ten rows of bleachers with backs. Berms can be found in both corners; behind the right field berm is a kids zone. Behind the right field, fence is the Home Run Porch, a picnic area for groups, while another picnic deck is along the third base concourse. The concourse is more than wide enough for the crowd, even with several portable concession stands along the walls. You can walk along a boardwalk behind right field to the bullpens in the outfield, from where you can see the entire stadium. However, you cannot complete the circuit and must return along the boardwalk. The Call-Up Worthy board lists previous T-Rats who have made the show. This is part of a larger sponsorship across the minors, but this is the first such display I have seen; most parks have a more detailed Road to the Show display. The scoreboard sits above the left-center field and includes a large video board above the line score. A new feature for the 2017 season is a party deck behind the outfield fence that includes 2 cabanas for shade during day games, all-you-can-eat-tacos, and a drinks rail. This is a clear attempt to reach newer fans who see sporting events as a social exercise rather than one of entertainment and it should appeal to the younger generation. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located in the northwest area of town, surrounded by an industrial park, while I-41 passes by the outfield fence. There is nothing within walking distance in terms of bars or eateries as the area is not particularly pedestrian-friendly, but Osorio’s Latin Fusion is just south on Casa Loma Drive. Further south on the other side of Wisconsin Avenue is the Fox River Mall and all of its attendant chain restaurants such as Chili’s and Olive Garden. The Fox River Brewery and Restaurant is your stop for locally produced craft beer, while the Milwaukee Burger Company has 40 taps and build-your-own-burgers. Downtown Appleton is 5 miles away and includes a number of interesting bars such as Cleo’s Brown Beam Tavern, not to mention Vince Lombardi’s Steak House. Fans 5 It was very chilly on the night I attended, but that did not stop over 4,700 from joining me, more than double the season average for the Timber Rattlers. The crowd skewed towards families, drawn by the numerous amenities and fireworks that night. Wisconsin folk are hardy and not used to allow a bit of cold to stop them from attending a sporting event, and that was clearly in evidence on this day. Those in attendance were fun, friendly, and polite. Access 4 As mentioned, I-41 runs directly behind the stadium, with either the Northland or Wisconsin Avenue exits providing quick access to the stadium. There is a single road to the main parking lot, and this can cause some delays after the game. There are two lanes going in and out, so make sure you are in the correct lane after the game to turn right or left onto Olde Casaloma Drive. Inside the stadium, there is plenty of room, even with a near-capacity crowd. Concession lines move quickly and there is no issue with restrooms or anything else. Return on Investment 3 Parking is $5, a bit much for Class A ball, though there was an Uber drop-off point if you wanted to avoid that. There are three ticket options for the average fan: $14 for box seats, $11 for bleachers, and $8 for general admission, with all tickets a dollar cheaper if bought in advance. For a family of four arriving a game day, it would be $49 for bleacher seats before considering food. There are two special seating options. For small groups, the patio seats are sold in packs of 4 for $76 and include wait service as well as the buffet mentioned above. Extras 4 The displays in the Legends Lounge are very detailed for this level and deserve a few minutes of your time. There are a lot of baseball greats who have played here and each has a plaque; there are also old style jerseys on display. The Lounge is also heated and thus a good spot to warm up during inning breaks. There is a bullpen car that zooms around the warning track to drop off the relief pitcher warm-up jacket a rare sighting these days. It was Pirate Day and both staff and fans participated with vigor. The scoreboard dressed up the Timber Rattlers as buccaneers, which was good for a laugh. There was a car sale out front of the stadium that could be quite helpful to sports travelers in need of a new set of wheels. Final Thoughts Overall, Fox Cities Stadium is an excellent minor league destination that has aged well since its opening in 1995. I really enjoyed my time here, with the food and fans among the best that the minor leagues have to offer. Appleton is not on many tourist itineraries, but if you are a ballpark chaser, this is one that you should not miss.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Jack Simpson Gymnasium 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Calgary Dinos basketball website Jack Simpson Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 3,454 University of Calgary Dinos Basketball The University of Calgary became its own institution, separate from the University of Alberta, in 1966. Since then the U of C Dinos sports program has won 45 national championships and 145 titles in the Canada West Division. Among all those wins, the men’s and women’s basketball teams have made their mark. The women’s Dinos took the National Championship in 1989 during a run in which they won 69 straight games and won four consecutive Canada West Titles. In addition to that run, they’ve won the division on four other occasions. The men have never won the national championship, but they’ve won Canada West six times, so they’ve come close. The Dinos play in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium which opened in 1987 as part of a major addition to the kinesiology facilities at the U of C in anticipation of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. The U of C’s student residence buildings were used to house Olympic athletes and the world’s first indoor speed skating track was built as part of the kinesiology expansion as well. The Jack, as it is sometimes referred to, was a major upgrade from the aging Red Gym on the other end of the complex, with a seating capacity of 3,454, better lighting, state-of-the-art flooring and numerous other features. In addition to being the home of Dinos basketball, it also plays home to the men’s and women’s volleyball teams, intramural sports, annual convocation ceremonies, and many other activities. Food & Beverage 2 The main lobby for the Jack Simpson Gym is upstairs on the west side of the gym and is shared with the Olympic Oval. In that lobby you’ll find two concession stands, although typically only one is open for game nights. The offerings here are pretty pedestrian, with nothing more exotic than a hot dog on the menu. Chips, pop, and coffee can be purchased here, but not much else. On the upside, the price is quite reasonable: Combo Number 1 includes a hot dog, a medium fountain drink, and your choice of chips or a candy bar for $7. The good news is that there is also a kiosk in the gym itself, on the west end of the running track at the top of the stands. The campus bar, The Den, have set up The Den West where adults can get their drink on, offering a good selection of domestic and premium beer and coolers for $6-7, depending on what you order. Again, a pretty good price! Beyond those two spots, however, you aren’t going to find anything here, aside from a water fountain. Atmosphere 3 The Dinos usually draw between 700-800 people for Friday night games (fairly typical for Canadian Intrauniversity and a can break 1,000 on a Saturday. For their annual “Pack the Jack” event, they can get up around 2,000 fans. This still leaves the stands more than half empty, so it can be a bit of a challenge to get the energy up in the crowd. Typically in the CIS, both the women and the men play in back-to-back games, so you’re getting two games for the price of your game ticket. People tend to file in over the course of the women’s game, so the early game tends to be quieter than the late game. The seats are comfortable, but leg room is a little on the tight side, so having a relatively sparse crowd gives you the opportunity to spread out a bit and ensure that this isn’t a problem. The seats themselves are multi-coloured, with red, blue, and yellow spread around the building, which helps camouflage the actual number of people in the building, making it seems fuller than it is. Dinos championship banners line the Jack, giving fans a sense of the long and proud history of athletics on campus. No doubt this serves to inspire Dinos players and fans alike, while intimidating visitors from other schools. And ultimately, the thing that most affects the atmosphere at a sporting event is the quality of the game. With the long and proud history of quality athletics at the U of C, you are probably going to see some excellent competition. The facility itself is clean and tidy, with indirect lighting that isn’t too harsh on the eyes, but isn’t particularly special beyond the colourful seating and the banners. Neighbourhood 3 The Jack Simpson Gym is located on the west end of the main U of C campus. The Kinesiology complex is connected to the MacEwan Student Centre, where the campus food court is located, providing you with a few pre-game food options but things are closed by the time the games have wrapped up. Similarly, The Den and Black Lounge, the campus bar which is also located in MSC, closes at 10 pm on Fridays and isn’t open at all on Saturdays, so don’t expect to get your party on while at the University for a game. Realistically, there isn’t anything that most people would consider walkable from the Jack. In any direction, you’re probably at least a 15-minute walk from the edge of campus, after which you still have to walk for another 10-plus minutes to get to anything worth getting to. So you’re more likely at least a short drive away from other points of interest. There are a few good spots to check out if you make that trip, however. To the northeast of campus is Brentwood Village Mall. Within that complex you’ll find a Harvey’s, a Starbucks, and a couple really nice Irish-style pubs. The Killkenny provides quality pub food (the chicken wings are enormous and tasty) and a wide selection of adult beverages (the beer menu alone is six pages long). Likewise, Jamiesons has a vast drink menu and a solid food menu featuring typical pub fare as well as some more exotic choices. To the southeast of campus you’ll find Motel Village, which features some excellent New Orleans-style cuisine at Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse, a Boston Pizza, a Denny’s, and several fast-food places. Just to the north of Motel Village proper, you’ll also find Nick’s Steakhouse and Pizza, which has won several Consumer’s Choice Awards over the years. If you head southwest of campus, you’ll arrive at the Stadium Shopping Mall which features Moose McGuire’s Bar, The Keg for a little more upscale steak dining, and the Redwater Rustic Grille, which also offers a more upscale dining experience. Fans 3 The fans at Dinos games are generally a relaxed group who applaud at the right times and occasionally boo a call they aren’t happy with, but are generally pretty quiet. With only a few hundred people scattered around a venue that can hold several thousand, this can make for a pretty subdued feel in the stands. Not unpleasant, but low-key. If you’re looking for a place where the energy is high and the crowd is cheering from start-to-finish, this isn’t the place. Nevertheless, eyes are generally on the floor, so the crowd is engaged and enjoying the games, so the overall experience is positive. Access 4 The University of Calgary is located in the city’s north west quadrant, on the west side of Crowchild Trail, a major north-south artery in town, and 16th Ave., which is one of the major east-west arteries and also part of the Trans-Canada Highway. As a result, getting to campus is pretty easy from all directions. Calgary Transit also services campus with busses as well as a Light Rail Transit (LRT) stop. Depending on where you park on campus, the price can vary a little, but you’re most economical choices are Lots 10 and 11, on the north east corner of the main campus, just beyond the Olympic Oval. In both cases it’s $7 for the day, which is a bargain compared to the parking prices in other parts of the city. Once on campus you can walk just about anywhere while remaining indoors, which is a pretty big deal if it’s the middle of winter and the temperatures have dropped to below -20°C (which is not uncommon). Depending on where you started, it could be a bit of a hike to get to the Jack, but probably not more than 10 minutes. As noted above, the entrance to the gym is shared with the Olympic Oval. The ticket window is just inside the shared entrance, then you’ll head up the stairs to the upper concourse where the concession stand is located and through the doors into the gym itself. You’ll find yourself at the top of the west stands on the running track that connects to the campus fitness centre. There is tons of room here for even a large crowd, so moving around is not a problem. Likewise, it should be no problem at all to find a decent place to sit without feeling crowded in by other patrons. Do be aware: The beautiful LED screen which is installed above the north end of the court, is not easily viewed if you sit in sections K, J, D or E, all on the north end of the stands. Also, because the basketball nets are suspended from the ceiling of the gym and hang from a lattice of white steel pipes, views of the screen and scoreboard are partially obscured from many other locations south of mid-court. This is a shame because it detracts from how sharp these recent upgrades to the facility actually are. Return On Investment 5 Adult ticket prices are $15 each, seniors are $10, and kids aged 7-17 get in for $8. A family package is also available for two adults and up to four kids for $40. These are all pretty decent prices to come see the best basketball in the city, especially since you get two games for the price of one. But the real deal here is for U of C students: because of an annual student levy, all U of C students get in to any Dinos regular season games for free. Just show your ID card and in you go. Short of paying people to show up, there isn’t a better deal than that! Extras 2 The Calgary Stampede Band of Outriders are a fixture at Dinos games, providing live entertainment during stoppages in the on-floor action. There are recycling bins around the facility to encourage fans to reduce, reuse and recycle. Always a nice touch. Spend some time walking around the north and south ends of the track and have a long look at all the national championship banners. It’s an impressive collection! If you need to kill some time before the game or during intermission, you can wander into the Olympic Oval and have a look at what’s going on out on the speed skating track or the two full-size hockey rinks found in the oval ring. Also, the concourse area between the Oval and the Jack is home to the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame display as well as some interesting art. Speaking of art, if you have time to wander around campus, there are a number of interesting sculptures and displays. For instance, just outside the Oval/Jack entrance to the north there is a large sculpture that was part of the 1988 Olympics development, called The Spire, although it is more affectionately known by U of C students as “the paperclip.” Only a few metres from the Spire is one of the three Olympic Torch locations. As you walk through the Kinesiology hallways, you’ll come across the Dinos Hall of Fame display, honouring some of the great athletes and teams to come through the U of C. Final Thoughts Dinos basketball is an entertaining product at a reasonable price. They have a history of success which ensures you’ll see some competitive action. The Jack is a nice place to take in some CIS sports and worth your time to visit.

Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park 2100 Avenue of the Stars Cedar Park, TX 78613 Austin Spurs website H-E-B Center at Cedar Park website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 6,800 Austin Spurs in Cedar Park The Austin Spurs (formerly the Toros) are an affiliate of and are owned by the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, and play in the Central Division of the NBDL (National Basketball Development League). Prior to being the Austin Toros, the team played as the Columbus (GA) Riverdragons from 2001-2005. When Austin was awarded the franchise in 2005, the team first played in the Austin Convention Center, and then in 2010 moved to the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park near Austin, TX. The Austin Toros won the NBDL Championship in 2012, as well as the Southwest Division Championship in 2008. As with many NBDL teams, based on roster moves and players, the team’s performance can vary year to year. In October 2014 the team was renamed the Austin Spurs, and began sharing the nickname of their parent club, the San Antonio Spurs. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park is also home to the Texas Stars of the AHL (American Hockey League), the Austin Aces (tennis), and the University of Texas Men’s Hockey team (ACHA Divison II). It also hosts wrestling matches, Cirque Du Soleil performances, and other concerts and events. Food & Beverage 3 Though some concession stands are closed during Spurs games, there are plenty of food and beverage options for a fan at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. There's the Pizza Hut (Personal Pan Pizza $7.50), Tortilla Fresca (Monster Chicken Nachos $8.50, Nachos Grande $6.25), Top Dog (a variety of hot dog offerings), and Grille Works (Buffalo Chicken Tender Basket $8.75, Double Cheeseburger Basket $11). All the stands offer some variety of your standard fare (regular hot dogs, hamburgers and such; as well as basic snacks like popcorn, pretzels, cotton candy, peanuts and the like ranging from $4 - $6.25). The two food specialties at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park are Amy's Ice Cream (a cart on the concourse) and Smokey Mo's BBQ concession (unfortunately Smokey Mo's is closed for Spurs games) and that's too bad. Coca Cola products are offered as well as Snapple beverages. Beers offered include Blue Moon, Budweiser, Bud Light but no local brews are offered here. Wine is also available at some concessions stands. Drinks range from $4 to $8 depending on what you order. There is a Coors Light Club Lounge which provides other alcoholic drinks but this area is only for those fans that purchase tickets in the club lounge in sections 106 and 107. Atmosphere 3 The Spurs do a great job at a game day presentation. The building temperature is a comfortable for a Spurs game. If you're one who gets warm easily, wear a t-shirt; if you're one who tends to get chilly, bring a long sleeved shirt, just in case (but you probably won't need it). The seats are cushioned and most have cup holders. The scoreboard is clearly viewable from all seats and provides the score, TOL (time outs left), number of team fouls and a clear, live video board. Stats of the players on the floor are shown above the suite level on a banner display. The PA announcer is clear and calls all plays with no music disruption. There are two levels of seating with the top level being the suites (most of which are empty during a Spurs game). All seats seem to have a good view of the basketball game. The seats in the general admission area (sections 122, 101, 102) are a bit of a distance from the court but one can still watch the game with ease. Center court sections are 106 and 107 (facing the player benches and logo) and sections 117 and 118 (behind the benches). There are tables and chairs behind each end zone for patrons to watch the game at floor level. And there are courtside floor level seating options, as well. Fans are allowed to visit the floor level areas prior to game time and take photos, visit the merchandise table, and talk with the DJ. The ability to do this is very accommodating and delightful for a visitor. Two things that I'm not a fan of occur at this arena during basketball games: One, during the player introductions, the lights are turned down (almost off) so a fan can't see who the players are and what they look like as they make their way onto the court. The other, they play music during the play of the game. It's quite distracting. Neighborhood 2 There are no restaurants or places of entertainment within walking distance. There are a few popular hotel chains and restaurants a little over a mile away from the area. I can recommend the Best Western Cedar Inn and the LaQuinta Inn both on E. Whitestone Blvd (aka 1431). If taking train rides is your interest, consider the Austin Steam Train Association located next to the Best Western Cedar Inn. This attraction offers a variety of train excursions on vintage train passenger cars. Twenty or so miles away is downtown Austin, the capital of Texas. There are plenty of things to see, do, eat, and drink in that city. Fans 3 The average attendance at a Spurs game is between 1,000 and 1,500. Given a stadium capacity of 6,800, this makes the stadium seats feel a bit barren at a game. Seating in sections 109 - 115 behind the one end zone is closed off for fans during basketball games. Those seats are not covered with plastic tarp and that suits the arena well. There are lot of kids in attendance at Spurs games, so kudos to the organization for promoting basketball among the youth. Many of the children perform on the court between time outs and at half time. This entertainment includes Kung Fu presentations, Pep Squad cheers, and other dance treats. The children's ages range from five to young adult. Although there is a strong Spurs fan base, much of the fans are families of the children performing during halftime and between time outs. The cheers are there at the appropriate moments of scoring a basket and free throw. Nothing more. Access 3 The H-E-B Center at Cedar Park is easily accessible right off Route 183A (toll road) via automobile. There are no noticeable public transportation options to get to the arena. If flying into the area, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the closest airport and is about 30 miles from the arena. Parking, although plentiful, is $10 which is highway robbery for an NBDL game. There is no noticeable street parking options so one is kind of stuck with this fee. There are three gates at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park but only the main entrance, near the ticket booth and flags, is open for a Spurs game. Security check is painless and there are tables in which to place your bag for the security folks to search. More arenas should do this. The concourses are sufficiently wide for pedestrian traffic flow (even if there is a full house). Restrooms serve their purpose and are plentiful and clean throughout and after the game. Return on Investment 3 Single game tickets range from $5 - $25. There are all kinds of promotional nights so be sure to check their website before heading to a game. Every Sunday home game is a Family Fun Day where a fan can get a game ticket, a hot dog, and a soda for just $11. And there is the traditional Thirsty Thursdays where beers are just $3. I'd recommend getting the $5 general admission ticket and then roam around the seating area during quarters to get different views of the game play. Concession prices are on the high side for an NBDL game. The real killer is the $10 parking charge. Extras 4 The Spurs provide extraordinary customer service at the game. The security check individuals, the concession folk, the staff, all make visitors feel warm and welcome. The staff shows genuine interest and appreciation in why you are attending a game here and they interact well with fans. Having the ability to enter the floor level pregame and being able to roam around the seating area to view the game from different perspectives is always a bonus. There are three banners displayed: One for the 2012 NBDL Championship, one for the 2008 Southwest Division Championship and one retired number honoring Dennis Johnson, NBA hall of famer, who coached the Toros from 2005 till his death in 2007. Free programs and rosters are handed out upon entry to the arena. Final Thoughts If you're in the Austin, TX area and you like the sound of squeaky sneakers on a hardwood court and the game of basketball, I'd recommend attending an Austin Spurs game. The customer service will astound you.

Photo by Bradlee Ross, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 ONEOK Field 201 N Elgin Tulsa, OK 74120 FC Tulsa website ONEOK Field website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 7,833 FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field ONEOK Field is located in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma and is well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in the Tulsa area during those prime soccer-watching spring and summer months. The Roughnecks were originally founded in 1978 and refounded in 2013 (the original incarnation of the team folded in 1984). They currently play in the United Soccer League. They share ownership and ONEOK Field with the Tulsa Drillers. Opening in 2010, ONEOK Field is named for ONEOK natural gas company and has a total capacity of just under 8,000. It is located in downtown Tulsa, next to the historic Greenwood district. Food & Beverage 4 The food options at ONEOK Field are numerous and varied. The standard concession stands are called Tulsa Driller Grille and Oil Capital Concessions and contain the basics of hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks, etc. These are reasonably priced and of a good quality. But there are also plenty of other options to get your snack and drink on. There're stands like Siegi's Sausage Factory, Steakadelphia, Corner Cantina, Smokie's and Burgertopia selling all kinds of awesome foods like Philly cheesesteaks, gourmet burgers, Tex-Mex, and more. Rita Cabana serves Bud Light margaritas and there are also various beer stands at regular intervals along the concourse. There are plenty of dessert options as well, including Hornsby's Sweet Treats serving lemonade, sno-cones and cotton candy and a Sweet Stand in left center field that serves frozen yogurt. Sadly, there are also quite a few stands that are not open during Roughneck matches for one reason or another. This limitation lowers the venue's score somewhat, especially since all of these places are normally open during baseball games. Still, there are a lot of great options at reasonable prices. If you have trouble deciding what to spend your hard-earned money on, choose the Jalapeno Popper Burger that can be had from the Burgertopia stands. It consists of a ½ lb. beef patty, jalapenos and cheddar cream cheese. It's delicious and a bargain at almost any price. Atmosphere 2 Roughneck matches at ONEOK Field leave something to be desired as far as energy and buzz go. Unfortunately, there really isn't much going on besides the match on the field. There is a Kids' Zone near center field with a splash pad to keep the kids cool during those hot summer months. There's also a grassy area for families to sit picnic-style while they watch the Roughnecks. A few others things of note are the small merchandise stands which allow any fan to show their team spirit, plenty of ATM's for those fans who prefer to use cash, and a variety of seating to choose from (though some obviously costs more). However, other than what's listed here, there really isn't much in the way of atmosphere. Neighborhood 5 ONEOK Field isn't hard to get to at all. Interstate highway 244 goes right by and the Tulsa downtown district itself is surrounded by four or five different highways that all converge, making it easy to get to no matter what direction you are coming from. Once you get off the highway, things can get a bit more difficult, as downtown Tulsa can be a challenge to navigate depending on construction. There is plenty to see and do around ONEOK Field. Downtown Tulsa has much to offer including the Philbrook Arts Museum, Spaghetti Warehouse and the BOK Center, another great venue. The most historically-significant aspect of downtown Tulsa is the Greenwood district, which was once known as the "Black Wall Street of America" because it was the home of many prominent African-Americans. Within it, you can find the Jazz Hall of Fame, Greenwood Cultural Center and the Mabel B. Little Heritage House, all of which are well worth the visit if you are even remotely a history buff. Also don't forget to visit the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, a free park practically next door to ONEOK that memorializes the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. As far as eateries go, you should plan to have your pre-Driller-game meal at Burn Co. Barbecue, which has the best barbecue in the state of Oklahoma. However, you'll have to time out your visit, as Burn Co. is only open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, which leads to very long lines (though they move quickly). It also is a considerable distance from the park. However, when you bite into the best barbecue you've ever had, it will all be worth it. Your post-game meal doesn't need to be far from the ballpark at all. Fat Guy's Burger Bar is actually connected to ONEOK Field, just outside the outfield, but it also has a streetfront. With great burgers and plenty of TVs to watch your favorite ballgames, you won't be sorry you stopped here for a bite. If you need a recommendation, try out the Pizza Burger. It consists of a beef patty, a sausage patty, pepperoni, provolone cheese, basil mayonnaise and marinara sauce. It will change how you feel about pizza and burgers (in a good way). Fans 2 The crowd at Roughneck matches is a very mixed and middling one. They are not all that loud or involved in the action on the field, save for a very loud and vocal superfan section that honestly borders on obnoxious a good amount of the time. The rest of the venue is filled with families with children or young people who just need something to do or somewhere to be. Most fans in attendance simply watch quietly or spend most of the match walking around. It seems to be a social setting for many, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does take away from the fan experience somewhat. Access 4 The bathrooms are very clean and large enough to prevent any waiting. The aisles and seating are big enough to be comfortable, and most fans will have a very easy time getting around the concourse as well. The only issue for this venue is parking. It can be very difficult to find in downtown Tulsa. It is particularly hard to find the area immediately surrounding ONEOK Field. Free parking will require a considerable walk. The closest parking will typically run around $10 or so. Roughnecks FC offers a $5 lot at the corner of Archer and Detroit (a block from the stadium). Also, you can find free parking in lots on the OSU-Tulsa campus north of the stadium (Fridays-Sundays). Return on Investment 4 The return on this stadium experience probably depends on the individual fan. That being said, you will not find a better pro soccer experience (or really any other pro soccer experience) near enough by to pass up seeing the Roughnecks at ONEOK. Tickets are available for about $10 a piece at the cheapest, which may not be a value for casual soccer fans. The visit is really worth it if you are going to spend some time in the fantastic neighborhood surrounding ONEOK. Extras 1 One extra for the splash pad near the Kids' Zone. Staying cool is important during the summer, especially for kids and especially in Oklahoma.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Westoba Place 1175 18th St Brandon, MB R7A 7C5 Brandon Wheat Kings website Westoba Place website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 6,042 Westman Place in Brandon The arena for the Western Hockey League Brandon Wheat Kings is called the Westman Communications Group Place, a mouthful of a corporate name, which is a 6,042 seat arena built as part of a larger convention/exhibition complex called the Keystone Centre. It was built in 1972 and has undergone numerous renovations. Editor’s Note: Since the publication of this review, Westman Place was renamed Westoba Place. The facility is referred to by its former name in this review. Food & Beverage 3 Food presentation is not one of the stronger features here. It is the typical ballpark fare of fresh popped popcorn, hot dogs, smokie dogs, a Pizza Hut stand, soda pop and draught beer (17 oz – $6.25, 12 oz – $5). So weren’t we surprised to find an elaborate and well appointed coffee concession in the place, the menu of which would rival any urban coffee house bistro. Named “Forbidden Flavors”, the stand offered lattes, espressos, mochaccino, various steamed teas and hot chocolates, iced coffee drinks and ice cream. The baristas were working hard behind the counter and doing their thing to move the long line of customers. Atmosphere 2 Considering this is the only game in town, the place seemed a bit dead. Granted, the visiting team rolled over the Wheat Kings on the night of this visit, giving the locals little to cheer about. A nice four sided HD scoreboard shows great videos, but little in the way of cool clips or team montages to get folks into the game. Neighborhood 2 All of Brandon is pretty much a sterile, suburban style bedroom community. The arena complex sits on a six lane highway (18th st), directly across from a plethora of strip plazas and eateries. Casual dining chains Applebees and The Keg Steakhouse are right there, and a Boston Pizza is right around the corner. We were lucky to stumble upon an awesome sports bar, right near the arena, called Joe Beeverz. Their Canadian based menu includes such awesome dishes as “Hangover Poutine,” a poutine loaf topped with fried eggs and bacon. They even add bacon to the maple sauce on the cheesecake. We also heard good things about Gulliver’s Grill on Park Ave. Fans 3 The venue was the host for the 2010 Memorial Cup, and that distinction is awarded to teams that have a solid base of fan support. The team ranks in the upper end of attendance in the Western Hockey League (WHL). This is no small feat considering that the Wheat Kings are the easternmost of the franchises in the WHL, and the only one in Manitoba, depriving them of natural rivalries. Access 4 There are acres of parking lots on the Keystone Centre property, offering ample parking for visitors. There is no public transportation option in Brandon, so getting here via car or by foot is the way to go. At this point we should probably mention the poor entry/exit design of the building itself. The poorly marked main entrance is attached to the larger exhibition hall, but there are multiple sets of doors on the other three sides of the arena, accessed at the top of long stairs. Only problem is, those doors lead directly into the concourse, meaning that every time the doors remain open, blasts of cold air pour into the venue. They control that to a point by stationing guards at the door and they open and quickly close them as guests come into the building. Return on Investment 5 Single game tickets for adults run $17. Seniors and students tickets are $12-$14. Couple that with the free parking and the very reasonable concession prices, and this all amounts to a cheap night out. Extras 1 Small showcases of jerseys and memorabilia can be found in the main entrance lobby. That is also the end of the building where the Wheat King’s championship banners hang in the rafters. **Andrew Kulyk is a stadium travel expert. Follow all of his journeys at The Ultimate Sports Road Trip.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Goodwin Field 800 N State College Blvd Fullerton, CA 92831 Cal State Fullerton Titans website Goodwin Field website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 3,500 FULL of Winning When it comes to college baseball prestige the California State University Fullerton squad seems to always be at the forefront of discussions. While the USC Trojans are college baseball’s all-time leaders in National Titles, the Titans continue to compete for that coveted prize year in and year out. To date, Cal State Fullerton Baseball boasts four National Championships, along with 16 appearances to the College World Series. Goodwin Field, formerly known as Titan Field, is now the third home field of the baseball program and continues to evolve into one of the premier parks in all of college baseball. The stadium opened in 1992 and was renamed in 2000 after Jerry and Merilyn Goodwin made a sizable donation to help fund many of the renovations to the stadium. Food & Beverage 4 A single permanent stand that also flows into the school's soccer stadium offers many of the ballpark staples, including beef hot dogs ($4), nachos with cheese ($3.75), soft pretzel ($2.50, add $0.50 for cheese), churros ($2.75), peanuts ($2.25), cheeseburger ($4.50), and a variety of smaller snacks. Pepsi product fountain drinks from 24 to 44 ounces are also reasonably priced ($2.50-$4.50). The food truck featured during this particular game was Barcelona on the Go. For a food truck, the prices for their offerings are also very reasonable. Some of their choices are the Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Quesadilla ($7.50), Pulled Pork Quesadilla ($8.50) and the Barcelona Paella Bowl ($8.50). Some of the sweet treats offered are ice cream bars and sandwiches ($3), deep fried oreos and funnel cakes ($5), kettle corn ($3, $5 and $8) and strawberry banana, pina colada and mango orange smoothies ($5 for a small, $8 for a regular and $10 for a tiki, $6 for a tiki refill). What may go unnoticed is the price of the basic concessions compared to a previous visit actually decreased. It may not mean much to some, but when the cost of stadium food is always on the rise, it’s always good to know when venues, especially one of CSUF’s notoriety, looks after their fans by doing their best to make the stadium dining experience one that won’t put too much of a hole in their pockets. Atmosphere 5 The moment you walk inside Goodwin Field you get a sense of a deep baseball tradition. Upon entry, fans are greeted along the concourse by the Titans Wall of Honor, featuring names and jersey numbers of past Fullerton greats including Phil Nevin, Justin Turner, Kurt Suzuki, Tim Wallach and legendary manager Augie Garrido who is responsible for three of Fullerton’s four national titles. Along the first base dugout is the Pierre Nicolas Wall of Champions that pays tributes to Fullerton’s four National Championship teams as well as their past Golden Spikes Award winners. Also along the first base concourse you also get a full glimpse of the Anderson Family Field, home to the lady softball sluggers. No matter where you are in the yard, you feel a strong baseball vibe all the way to the accolades that adorn the walls of the concourses as well as the outfield fences. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood around the Cal State Fullerton campus offers a decent amount of off-campus dining, including your standard chains Five Guys Burgers and Panera Bread; Pepe’s Mexican is also a favorite among students for its huge portions and reasonable prices. Oggi's, a brewhouse that not only specializes in pizza but has a full dining area with multiple screens to view other sporting action, has several chains in Orange and San Diego counties, including Fullerton. If you have time to kill before a game, the Fullerton Arboretum, located on campus behind the right field fence, provides a nice nature like setting with trees and plants from around the world inside a 25 acre botanical garden. You will also be glad to know that the House of Mouse is just a short 15-20 minute drive from campus should you and your fellow travelers decide on paying that most famous mouse a visit. Should you happen to do your lodging in Orange County, plenty of options, though some on the pricey side are available surrounding the area around Disneyland and are a short drive from not only the CSUF campus but also Angel Stadium and the Honda Center. Fans 5 It is difficult to question the commitment of the Fullerton fans as they typically rank in the top 30 of college baseball attendance. Regardless of the opponent or day of the week, the larger capacity venue is often filled. With four National Championships, 17 College World Series appearances and frequent NCAA Tournament appearances since 1975, it’s no surprise that fans regularly fill the stands. The loyalty of Titan baseball runs true and deep among the Blue and Orange clad fans. If you get a chance, stop by Section A in the General Admission seats along the right field side. Out there is what fans simply refer to as The Superfan, a bearded fan with a Viking like voice that can be heard throughout the yard, and is at most if not all the games. Stop by and say hi, chances are he’ll not only take a picture with you but he may ask you to help him lead some cheers. Access 4 Titan Field is relatively simple to access via the 5, 57, and 91 freeways. In fact, the stadium is only 7 miles from both Angel Stadium and the Honda Center. Depending on when you go, you may even be able to make a baseball or hockey/baseball doubleheader out of your stay on The OC. Though parking is plentiful, you will want to give yourself ample time to arrive as the lots fill up quickly. Once inside, the concourse above the stands is very pedestrian friendly. The concourse flowing into the soccer stadium where the concession stand serves both venues helps immensely as fans are able to stroll the area there as well. The concourse that flows into the soccer stadium is where fans can purchase their sweet treats as those stands are set up there as well. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for most games are $18 for box seats, $11 for reserved, $10 adult general admission, senior GA $8, youth GA 8th grade and younger $6. With a high caliber program and fans regularly filling the stands, Cal State Fullerton is one of the few schools that take advantage of the premium game pricing. The good news is it’s only a $2 price increase. For games against Stanford, USC, UCLA and 3 game series against UC Irvine, Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara, box seats go for $13, reserved for $13. Adult general admission goes for $12, senior GA $10, youth 8th grade and younger $8. With Fullerton baseball, there are not many down seasons; in fact, there is seldom a losing streak. Rarely do winning traditions equate fans turning away from the value proposition and consequently the stands are often full. Extras 5 After picking up a ticket to the game at the box office, fans will walk up a palm tree lined walkway, definitely providing a Southern California feel to the venue. At the top of the walkway, fans can look out onto the field and take note of some of the unique items the field offers. As you walk toward the press box along the concourse, on the third base side is a tall standup board that displays the starting lineups of both teams. Above the starting lineups on the wall is a display featuring Titan All-Americans, National Players of the Year, and other player accolades as well as honoring their four National Champion teams from 1979, 1984, 1995 and 2004. With a title from each decade since 1975 and Fullerton being a regular in the NCAA tournament, it’s only natural to think CSUF is due for another one before this decade ends. Along the first base concourse is the Pierre Nicolas Wall of Champions, and as you look out to the center field scoreboard, you will see flags of every team in the Big West Conference, presumably in the order of that day’s standings. Along the outfield walls, fans will notice these items: Circles with the year of National Championship teams in them on the left field wall. Close to the right field foul pole, the initials "MC" are listed. This is homage to Mike Campbell, a long time equipment manager who passed in 2011 after a long bout with cancer. A former Cal State Fullerton golfer, he was a staple of the Fullerton baseball program for many years, appearing at many games despite living in Santa Cruz. Lastly, in right-center field is a message that reads "The Saarloos Family says Good Luck Titans; only 1,544 miles to Omaha." This is an obvious nod to past championships and the pursuit of the next with the College World Series taking place in Omaha, NE. Final Thoughts Despite playing in the backyard of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Titans remain one of the hotter tickets in Orange County. With four national championships and a team that is almost always certain to make a post-season run, it’s easy to see why fans here consistently fill up the yard. Of all the college yards I’ve had the chance to visit in Southern California, Goodwin Field, with their loyal fans and fan friendly amenities abound, may arguably be the best.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Ballpark at Harbor Yard 500 Main St Bridgeport, CT 06604 Sacred Heart Pioneers website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 5,300 Pioneers at Harbor Yard Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, Connecticut. The Pioneers baseball team plays its home games in the neighboring city of Bridgeport at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Ballpark, built for the professional Bridgeport Bluefish, won the 2009 Atlantic League Ballpark of the Year award. Sacred Heart is a school with an enrollment of just over 6,000 students, which makes it the second largest Catholic University in New England. Over the past 20 years the school has made the transition from a small 12-sport Division II program into a full-fledged Division I school with 32 varsity sports. In 2013 the school made headlines by hiring ex-big league player and manager Bobby Valentine to serve as their athletic director. EDITOR'S NOTE: The stadium closed after the 2017 baseball season. The venue was converted to an outdoor concert amphitheater known as Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater. The Pioneers moved to nearby Veterans Memorial Park in 2019. Food & Beverage 0 Food is not sold at Harbor Yard during Sacred Heart games. Seeing all those concession stands unused may seem like a cruel trick, but fans are welcome to bring their own refreshments to enjoy while taking in the action. Atmosphere 2 When there are only a hundred or so people in a stadium that seats over 5,000, the place is going to look and feel very empty. That is the case at Pioneer games at Harbor Yard. While the fans that are in attendance are vocal and supportive, there is only so much noise that a crowd of this size can make. Likewise, the game day presentation is a scaled down version of what Bluefish fans are used to. The video board in right-center field is not utilized. There is the obligatory walk-up music and PA announcements, but nothing else to distract fans’ attention from the action on the field. Trains pass by the ballpark throughout the game, and from some parts of the ballpark fans can also watch ferries arrive and depart to and from Long Island. Neighborhood 2 The Ballpark at Harbor Yard and its next door neighbor, the Webster Bank Arena, built in 1998 and 2001, respectively, are located in a small neighborhood wedged in between Interstate 95 and the Long Island Sound waterfront. It was hoped that their presence would spur development in the area adjacent to the sports complex. Several buildings were razed to make room for both the stadia and the planned development. Unfortunately, this development has never occurred, leaving only a couple of large unpaved lots adjacent to the ballpark that are now used for parking. Downtown Bridgeport is located on the opposite side of I-95, easily accessible through several underpasses. This area carries a long-standing reputation as an area to avoid, particularly at night. As is the case in many cities, local leaders have worked hard to reverse this reputation, and several businesses have taken up residence in the area near the sports complex. Unfortunately, the area has not totally reached its potential, and many fans come to Harbor Yard solely for the events at the ballpark or arena and leave immediately afterwards. Fans willing to explore the area can find several fine restaurants and theaters in the area, as well as the Barnum and Bailey Museum. Fans 1 The crowds at Sacred Heart baseball games can easily be classified as the “friends and family” type of crowd. Early season crowds generally top out at about 100 fans, and don’t get too much larger as the season wears on. Even though Harbor Yard is only five miles from campus, there is no presence from the student body. Access 4 Ballparks don’t get much easier to find than The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Located directly off Interstate 95, all one has to do to get to the field is take exit 27A (whether traveling northbound or southbound), follow the signs for a block, and you are there. Parking is available in a small lot behind the ballpark which is used by the Bluefish during their season. This lot is small, but sufficient for Pioneer games. There is a surface lot across the street from the ballpark and a parking garage next to the hockey arena should crowds ever grow large enough to require that much parking. Additional free parking can be found within a short walk of the ballpark. Despite downtown Bridgeport’s less than sparkling reputation, the area around the ballpark is safe. Getting to Bridgeport is a snap, as Interstate 95 passes directly through downtown. The city is located 60 miles northeast of New York City, an hour’s drive south of Hartford, and 20 minutes from New Haven. Amtrak’s northeast corridor trains pass directly behind Harbor Yard, with the station only a couple of city blocks from the ballpark. With the small crowds present at Pioneer games, fans will have no problem getting around the ballpark. While the concession stands are not open, the bathrooms are. But beware, they need a little TLC to bring them up to regular season standards. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge for admission or parking for Pioneer games at Harbor Yard. Although the Northeast Conference will never be rated alongside the nation’s powerhouses, the level of play is good, and you can’t beat the price. Extras 2 Although they have nothing to do with Sacred Heart, the Ballpark at Harbor Yard has a couple of touches that are worth checking out. In the plaza outside of the ballpark is a statue of baseball Hall of Famer and Bridgeport resident James O’Rourke, who is credited with getting the first hit in National League history. Located behind the press box is a mural of several area residents who made their way to the major leagues. Another extra point is awarded for the unique, industrial background here at Harbor Yard. With the giant power plant looming beyond the right field fence and the frequent commuter trains passing by throughout the game, Harbor Yard boasts a most unique backdrop. Final Thoughts Partnerships between minor league baseball teams and universities in the Northeast have proven to be beneficial to all parties involved (Lowell, Tri-city, State College, etc.). The seasons do not overlap, and this arrangement allows for the ballpark to be in use for additional dates. However, with the lack of support shown for the Pioneers at Harbor Yard, one has to wonder if the team would be better served by playing on campus. If you are planning a visit to southern Connecticut, remember that this is New England, and the weather can be very unpredictable at this time of year. Be sure to check with the team, as postponements, time changes, and even venue changes occur regularly in this part of the country. Follow all of Paul Baker’s ballpark and stadium visits on Twitter @PuckmanRI

Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Notre Dame Arena 15 Hillside Ave. Berlin, NH 03570 Berlin River Drivers website Notre Dame Arena website Year Opened- 1947 Capacity- 1,680 Home of River Driver Hockey The Notre Dame Arena is a community rink located in Berlin, New Hamphire. For decades, it has hosted local concerts, events and high school hockey. Since the fall of 2015 it has also served as home of the Berlin River Drivers, a team in the Federal Hockey League, a low level professional league with teams across the northeastern United States. In 1969 the roof of the arena collapsed due to the weight of accumulated snow, killing a local youth hockey player. Ironically, it was found that snow that had been piled up against the facility’s walls to help support them led directly to the collapse. Berlin is a small town of just over 10,000 residents located on the northern edge of the White Mountains just 60 miles from the Quebec border. For decades the town thrived on logging and wood industries. The team’s name derives from the town’s logging past, as a river driver is a person who moved logs from the forest to the sawmill using the currents of a river. Food and Beverage 3 There is a snack bar in the lobby of Notre Dame Arena which serves a decent menu. Hungry River Drivers fans can select from hot dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, french fries or nachos. Other snack items, including mozzarella sticks, pretzels and onion rings are also on the menu. Of course, being so close to the Canadian border, it’s not surprising to see poutine offered here. No item on the menu costs more than six dollars. Thirsty River Driver fans can choose from a variety of Coca Cola products. Warm drinks such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate are popular choices in this chilly rink. Alcoholic beverages are sold at the snack bar, with Bud Light the most popular choice here by far. Atmosphere 3 A trip to Notre Dame Arena for a River Drivers game is a long way, both literally and figuratively, from the bright lights of major league hockey. The first thing that will strike a first time visitor to Notre Dame Arena is the sense of community here. It seems that the entire town shows up to catch the action, and everyone knows everyone else in attendance. So what do you do when your home rink lacks any kind of mechanism for fancy pregame festivities? Why, you improvise, of course. During introductions the house lights are turned down and the fans take out their flashlights while the River Drivers take the ice. The gameday presentation here at Notre Dame Arena is pretty basic, as there isn’t a whole lot that can be done in this community rink. Music blares over the speakers during play stoppages. The scoreboard hanging at center ice displays score and time, and nothing else. The team holds a 50/50 raffle and chuck a puck during the game to raise money. Fans in attendance at a River Drivers game have a close bond with the players on the ice, and are really into the game. There is only so much noise a few hundred people can make, but in this tiny barn, the amount of noise put out is pretty impressive. Air horns and cowbells can be heard throughout the game, as fans come armed with a variety of noisemakers. After a River Drivers win, the team salutes the fans and take a victory lap around the rink, high-fiving the fans that line the glass. Neighborhood 2 Notre Dame Arena is located just a few blocks from downtown Berlin. Visiting fans won’t find a whole lot in terms of fancy restaurants or lodging options around, but there are plenty of decent options in Berlin and neighboring Gorham. With the spectacular White Mountains so close by, it’s not a surprise that there are many excellent ski resorts located just a short drive from Notre Dame Arena. When the weather warms, outdoor activities continue to be a strong draw in the area, as the Appalachian Trail passes through the town. Fans 2 The River Drivers averaged just over 600 fans per game during the 2016-17 season, good for sixth place out of the seven teams in the Federal League, and consistent with their inaugural 2015-16 season. The team’s first playoff game attracted 1,000 fans to the cozy Notre Dame Arena. In a small town like Berlin, it’s no surprise that there is a strong sense of community here. Most of the fans seem to know each other, and the rink is simply an extension of the local neighborhood or workplace the fans are coming from. The fans have a strong connection to the players, and the team to the fans. It’s not something you will find in a bigger city or higher level of pro hockey. Access 2 To paraphrase the old monster truck radio commercials, at a River Drivers game you are going to purchase the entire seat, but you are only going to use the edge! Fans do not sit down at a River Drivers game. Not during the game, and not during the intermission. Wear some comfortable shoes, and do not expect a clear view of the action. With the town of Berlin’s remote location, driving is really the only way to get to a River Drivers game. Located 40 miles from the nearest interstate (I-93), fans will take Route 2 to Route 16, which winds through Berlin. Be sure to enjoy some of the spectacular scenery as you drive through the White Mountains. Notre Dame Arena is a small facility in a small town. This makes it very difficult to get around when a decent crowd is in the rink. Fans enter the arena into a small lobby, where the snack bar, pro shop, tables and rest rooms are located. Add in a merchandise table, booster club table and trophy case, and it’s understandable that this area can get crowded in a hurry. Once you enter the rink, seating is located on both sides of the rink, with the majority of seating located to your right as you enter. All seats consist of wooden bleachers, which are sold as general admission. Many fans here eschew the bleachers entirely, choosing to stand at rinkside. Get here early, because these prime spots fill up quickly. Netting surrounds the entire rink, further blocking views around the arena. If you want an unobstructed view at a River Drivers game, you will have to stand at the glass. You’ll be blocking others, but hey, no one here seems to mind. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to River Drivers games cost only ten dollars at the door. Purchasing tickets in advance earns you a one dollar discount. Children under 12 and members of the military are admitted for seven dollars. Parking is free in the Notre Dame Arena lot or on the surrounding streets. Concessions are inexpensive as well, making this a very affordable entertainment option for northern New Hampshire hockey fans. Extras 2 Extra points are awarded for the strong sense of community here at Notre Dame Arena. It feels like every fan in attendance knows every other fan. Add in the fantastic support given the River Drivers during their inaugural visit to the playoffs in 2017 and the quirky touches like Flashlight Night and the victory lap, and Notre Dame Arena becomes a most unique place to take in some low-level pro hockey. Final Thoughts You are not going to stumble upon Notre Dame Arena by accident. Located deep in the White Mountains, you are only coming here by design. The facility is little more than your basic local community rink, but it is the place to be in the small town of Berlin on a Friday or Saturday night. Some aspects of the gameday experience may strike veteran fans as hokey, but River Driver fans sure seem to be enjoying themselves! Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos Courtesy of Canisius Golden Griffins Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Koessler Athletic Center 1829 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14208 Canisius Golden Griffins website Koessler Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 2,176 A Golden Opportunity for College Hoops It’s kind of old school, but it’s been given a much needed facelift. The Koessler Athletic Center, located on the edge of the urban Canisius College campus, is the home of Canisius Golden Griffins basketball. The facility also contains a gymnasium, swimming pool, weight room and other athletic training facilities. Opened in 1968, the arena underwent renovations to install chairback seating, new lighting, dot matrix scoreboards, sound system and refurbished floor. With a seating capacity of 2,196, it is one of the more intimate settings in all of division one basketball, with a feel of an old-school college or high school gym. The Griffins have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments in school history that have resulted in a 6-4 record: 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1996. The 1950’s team were by far the most successful squad making it into the regional semifinals and finals for three straight seasons. The school did return to glory capturing the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season title in 2018. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions aren’t exactly the strong suit here, as there is but one comfort station offering the very basics in stadium fare. A slice of pizza, nachos, pretzel or popcorn will run $2, a hot dog $3, and bottled soft drinks or iced tea $2. The prices, though, are about as low as you will find at any venue at this level. Alcoholic beverages are not sold here. So if you’re looking for culinary delights or that specialty sandwich, try elsewhere before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 The first time patron will immediately feel and sense the intimacy of the place. Regulars and season ticket holders seem to know each other and the staffers who run the place on a first named basis. There is but one narrow aisle to get to one’s seat, and that is on the hardwood directly behind the media or scorers tables, so one can’t help but brush by the players and coaches. The end zone bleachers are saved for the students, and when they are full, the kids almost spill out onto the court and their presence is immediately felt. Add the Griffs mascot and the freshly scrubbed cheerleaders, who practically mingle into the stands, and it is a party with 2000 of your best friends. Neighborhood 4 The Canisius campus straddles Main Street, and almost sits on the boundary of one of the most opulent areas of the city- where the historic Forest Lawn cemetery and the Olmsted Parks system abuts some of the nicest neighborhoods and mansions. Travel a few blocks east and you’ll happen upon some of Buffalo’s most distressed neighborhoods. The neighborhood around Koessler itself is safe and clean, but nothing much to find in terms of walkable shops or bistros. Recommendations are up and down the Main Street corridor – southward hit up the famous Anchor Bar, birthplace of the chicken wing, or the Oakk Room, with its specialty martinis. Northward try the Central Park Grill, with hearty tavern food, or farther up yet the Lake Effect Diner. Fans 3 The regulars are what make the place. You’ll spot notable Canisius alums and former basketball greats from the Griffs who are still into the game and team and let their voices be heard. Chances are if you’re a newbie here who looks out of place someone will greet you and introduce themselves and make you feel welcome. The team draws fairly well, but with such a small venue capacity, it is not that hard to fill the place. Access 4 The Koessler Center is located right on the corner of Main Street and E/W Delavan, less than a mile south of the Main Street exit off the Scajaquada Expressway (rte 198). On campus parking is close by and free. On street parking in the neighborhood is also ample and free. Fans wishing to use public transportation can take the Metrorail, which runs from the First Niagara Center downtown all the way north to the SUNY Buffalo south campus. Exit at the Delavan/College station, which is right across the street from the Center. Return on Investment 4 Reserved (chairback seats) run $15. General Admission tickets, which include end zone seating run $10. Cheap eats. Free parking. Enough said. Extras 3 The entrance lobby and exterior concourse of the Koessler Center has seen huge upgrades, including a Hall of Fame which will also see some interactive elements. Very nicely done and deserving of a 2 star bonus. Add one star for the rivalry with Niagara University, their MAAC foe just 25 miles to the north of Buffalo in Lewiston, New York. These two schools battle it out for bragging rights in this region. It’s good fun and great to watch.