Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Field 223 Kalamazoo St East Lansing, MI 48824 Michigan State Spartans website McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Stadium website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 2,500 Spartan Baseball at McLane Baseball Stadium The bronze statue, known as the Spartan, stands at the intersection of Kalamazoo Street, Chestnut Road and Red Cedar Road on the campus of Michigan State University. The iconic sculpture is probably more associated with the football team, but his glance is directed away from Spartan Stadium, and into right field of McLane Stadium. The official name of the venue is McLane Stadium at Kobs Field. Drayton and Elizabeth McLane donated $4 million to allow the university to construct the current seating, and the stadium was ready for the 2009 season. The Spartans opened it up in style as pitcher Nolan Moody hurled a no-hitter in the opening game against Northwestern. The Michigan State baseball team has some history of success, but they have not appeared in the College World Series since 1954. The program was able to win the Big Ten Championship in 2011. It was their first conference championship since 1979. The retired numbers of former greats are displayed in right field including Kirk Gibson (#30), Steve Garvey (#10), Tom Yewcic (#5), Danny Litwhiler (#1), Hall-of-Famer Robin Roberts (#36), and the field's namesake John Kobs (#25). John Kobs coached the baseball team from 1925-1963, and also served as head coach for basketball and hockey at different periods of his time in East Lansing. Other notable players to wear the green and white include John Smoltz, and Mark Mulder. The combination of a new and comfortable stadium with historic and unique charm, on a beautiful college campus makes for an enjoyable afternoon of baseball. Food & Beverage 2 There is one main concession stand with two windows that serves DeMartin Soccer Stadium, Secchia Stadium (softball), and McLane Stadium. In the spring, all of these teams could conceivably have a home game on the same day. The menu is exactly what you would expect from attending a sporting event, although there is more selection than you may find at many college baseball venues in the Midwest. Hot dogs ($4.50), brats ($5), burgers ($6), chicken sandwiches ($6), and cheeseburgers ($7) are on offer. I tried the brat and cheeseburger, both of which were decent and perhaps slightly above average in quality. Other snacks available include fries ($4), popcorn ($4-$5), and nachos ($4.50). Pepsi products are available ($4.50/$5), as is bottled water ($4), and hot beverages from Tim Horton's. On a cold spring day, you'll appreciate the coffee, and hot chocolate available ($3). If you're owed 50 cents in change then you will likely be getting a half dollar coin, a quirk that is kind of cool. Prices have increased by about $1 on each item since our last review back in 2012, making a trip out to the ballgame about 20% more expensive if you plan to get something to eat and/or drink. The quality does not make up for the price, and lines during a recent visit which coincided with the football team's spring game moved incredibly slow. Atmosphere 4 The stadium is indeed located on the banks of the Red Cedar, in close proximity to the other Spartan athletic facilities including Spartan Stadium, Breslin Center, and Munn Ice Arena. Of historic note is also the nearby Jenison Fieldhouse, the former home of the basketball team, current home of the wrestling and volleyball teams. Right field is unique at Kobs Field with a small hill that stretches from right center to the right field line, and helps to determine the length of the outfield fence, only 302 feet down the line. It's an interesting quirk of the ballpark, and must be attractive to left handed pull hitters. Immediately behind the plate there are 3-5 rows of green plastic seats with cup holders and adequate legroom. These stretch between the two dugouts and have a screen in front to protect the fans from foul balls. Beyond the dugouts there are some bleacher seats which are unobstructed by the net. The bleachers are a cold metal, not ideal for many games in March or April. There are 11 additional rows of bleachers that make up sort of a mini upper deck as you climb a flight of stairs to reach these seats. There is an interior walkway that separates the lower and upper seats, and the upper seats are elevated enough so that your view is not obstructed if someone is walking by, a nice design decision. If you end up with a bleacher seat, then you may want to bring a stadium cushion to sit on during the game. The announcer calls out, "Let's play Spartan Baseball," as the team readies to throw the first pitch, and the MSU fight song plays over the PA after each run scored by the Spartans. This is one of the few interactive touches that you'll get as a spectator, as the presentation becomes pretty no frills from there, although you will see a couple of between-innings contests and some t-shirts chucked into the crowd. Neighborhood 3 Walking around the Michigan State campus is quite enjoyable, but it can be a bit of a hike to any restaurants or bars. You'll likely be driving and not walking should you want to add a stop to your trip. That said, I am a big fan of the Harrison Roadhouse and their cheeseburgers and selection of local beers. This would be my suggestion if you want a bite to eat. Dublin Square is also a good spot with well executed Irish pub fare. Fans 3 The ballpark seats 2,500 fans with 400 chair back seats and room for 2,100 on the metal bleachers. Like many college baseball teams in this part of the country, the crowd mostly consists of friends and family, although there are certainly alumni and baseball fans who decide to see a game, especially when the weather is nice. The crowd is courteous and intent on watching the game on the field. Access 3 There aren't really any signs of where to park for a baseball game, and most of the parking lots are reserved for those with a pass. There is a parking garage on Harrison Rd, which is connected to the Kellogg Center (219 S Harrison Rd), which has reasonable rates in the spring. Parking for the game cost $3. Another parking option would be to head to Spartan Stadium, which is also the visitor's lot. There is a charge for parking depending on the length that you are there. Parking rates are 80 cents per half hour, so you can expect to pay somewhere between $4-$6.40 for most games. Set your GPS for Spartan Stadium and you should find it just fine, and there will be very little traffic getting in or out of the game. The sports facilities can be found just a couple of miles from M127. The concessions can be found closer to the third base side of the stadium, but you have to walk a bit, a minor inconvenience. Restrooms are found in the same building. Restrooms feature touchless technology and are clean with enough room to accommodate the usual crowds. Return on Investment 3 Prices vary depending on the day of the week, age, and student status. During the week some selected games are offered with no admission charge. In 2016, the game that coincided with the football team's Spring game was offered at no charge as well in order to try and attract a few more people to the ballpark. MSU students always get free entry. Adult tickets are generally $5, with discounts given to kids under age 18, seniors, and military ($3). When you factor in about $10 for concessions and $3-$6 or so for parking, there is a cost for attending a game that exceeds many other college ballpark experiences in the region, but overall it is still a worthwhile experience. Extras 3 One-sheet programs are available for free in the stairways, giving you the rosters for each team, team stats for the Spartans, and the current Big Ten standings. The hill in right field really adds some uniqueness to the park. You may be inclined to see balls hit to right field just to see how it may affect the game. After the game, players are made available for a "meet and greet," and kids are allowed to come down and run the bases. Final Thoughts College baseball is one of those hidden gems of sporting events, and a trip to McLane Stadium is a worthwhile experience. If you are in the state of Michigan, and need to get some baseball into the system in the early spring, then this is definitely a recommended stop. Check out the schedule for the minor league Lansing Lugnuts, who play about three miles away at Cooley Law School Stadium, and you may be able to make a doubleheader out of the trip.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Matador Stadium 18111 Nordhoff St Northridge, CA 91330 Cal State Northridge Matadors website Matador Stadium website Year Opened: 1961 Capacity: 1,200 Baseball Under the CSUN Located in the northwest sector of the San Fernando Valley, California State University, Northridge was established in 1958. It was known as San Fernando Valley State College until 1972. Though not as notable nationwide as USC or UCLA, CSUN is the largest of the 23 campuses within the Cal State University system. If fans are not from the area, they may remember Northridge as the epicenter of a devastating earthquake in 1994. Years have passed and today Northridge has as beautiful a campus as any Southern California school. Among the recent additions to CSUN is the Valley Performing Arts Center. Matador Field, built in 1961 has had six major renovations, most recent of which was a new backstop in 2008. Food & Beverage 2 The dining options are about as basic as it gets, featuring a hot dog, turkey dog, or spicy dog ($3.50), chips ($2.50) and candy ($2). There is a combo deal where fans could get a dog, chips, and a small soda or water for $7, which would save them $1 than if purchased separately. The beverage options include bottled Coke products ($2), water ($3 for large), Gatorade ($2.50), as well as coffee, tea or hot chocolate ($2). Atmosphere 3 Because Matador Field is void of any lights, all games are played under the sun, giving baseball traditionalists that old-school feel. There are not any specific chants or cheers the fans take part in however, Matty the Matador, the school's mascot is present, making his rounds throughout the stands, mingling with the fans. Neighborhood 3 The Northridge campus and the area surrounding it are an interesting contrast. Should you head either direction you will find there are areas packed with strip malls, restaurants, and all sorts of consumerism. If you're in the mood for some ethnic Middle Eastern dining, the Falafel Palace on Reseda and Prairie, a local student favorite, serves up some really tasty gyros as well as other Greek dishes. If you don't mind driving 5 minutes west of campus, the Northridge Fashion Center is nearby as well and offers these sit-down options: Bonefish Grill, Claim Jumper, Yard House, as well as a Buffalo Wild Wings, to name a few. Should you opt to remain close to Matador Field, Cupid's Hot Dogs, a San Fernando Valley staple serving nothing but chili dogs (I prefer to keep mine simple, chili and onions), is within walking distance a few short blocks south. Fans 3 There is not a lot of activity coming from the Northridge fans, with very few sporting any CSUN attire. This really is not a surprise given the school's local reputation as a commuter school. What I do find interesting is that many of the fans in the stands get creative in regards to shading themselves from the afternoon sun. Given this is Southern California, winter months can be warm as well and many of the fans more than compensate for the lack of shade in the stands by setting up their own portable umbrellas, a good call by those in charge. Access 2 Access to CSUN is not far from three of LA's major freeways; the 405, 101 and 118. If you are coming from LA, the drive time, pending traffic, can vary from 30 to 90 minutes. All Matador home games are played under the CSUN (pun intended) so there's that possibility that you may actually dodge some traffic. It's still a good idea to check the local traffic reports before heading out. Once you have arrived on campus, you will find the main parking lot on the Zelzah Avenue side of campus. There are meters there that accept both cash and credit/debit cards, $5 for up to 4 hours, $6 all day. Depending on the timing of your visit, you may be able to find street parking nearby if you are willing to walk for a bit. Upon entering Matador Field you will find that all the seats are metal bleachers. Given that all games are played during the day, chances are there will be plenty of sun so you may want to bring either a portable chair back or a beach towel to protect yourself from a hot metal seat. Hopefully you will not miss much of the ballgame but if nature is calling, prepare yourself for a long walk. The trek to the restrooms is quite a distance as fans must walk along a narrow walkway beyond the outfield fence and beyond the left field corner. Matador Field could certainly use a couple of mobile restrooms in the open grass area behind the first base dugout as this would save fans a long walk toward relieving themselves. Return on Investment 3 General admission seating for adults is $8, $5 for youth (17 and under) and seniors (60 and over). Though much more affordable than most MLB games, I was surprised a bit by the GA price for this less-known program. Extras 2 Matador Field is as simple as it gets. If you're looking for any historical displays paying homage to the baseball program, you will find a mural behind the first base dugout commemorating the school's conference titles as well as their two Division II National Championship titles. This is a pretty impressive display when taken into account CSUN's hidden presence among the abundance of collegiate baseball programs that reside in Southern California. Final Thoughts If expecting an amplified atmosphere, you may find yourself somewhat disappointed. If a simple day at the ballgame under the sun in a serene, intimate setting without all the bells and whistles is all you need, a stop at Matador Field is certainly worth checking out. Depending on when you plan to visit, because all CSUN baseball games are played during the day, you may even be able to check out a Dodger game as well.

Photos by Andrew Maurins, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Lawlor Events Center 1664 N Virginia St Reno, NV 89557 Nevada Wolf Pack website Lawlor Events Center website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 11,536 Wolves of Virginia Street Since 1983 when it first opened, Lawlor Events Center has been the rock of Nevada’s basketball programs. The 11,536-seat oval arena at the corner of Virginia and 15th Streets witnessed the growth of Wolf Pack basketball from the Big Sky to the Big West to the Western Athletic and now the Mountain West Conference. It’s played host to eight different conference championship-winning Nevada basketball teams, ten different conference basketball tournaments from 1986 to 2010, and a plethora of different musical acts and entertainment spectacles. In the program’s heyday of the mid- to late 2000s, the Wolf Pack went on a run of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and seven straight seasons with 21 or more wins. That era also witnessed a slew of Nevada players get drafted by NBA teams. Since that time, area fans have eagerly awaited the Pack’s return to national prominence. Eric Musselman has re-energized the program with high-profile recruits, and an exciting, fast-paced style of basketball bringing progressively bigger crowds to Lawlor. Fans visiting this 2016-2017 season will find the arena enhanced by a few highly visible new additions. Food & Beverage 4 A surprising variety of food and beverage items of decent qualities await fans at Lawlor Events Center, with fairly reasonable wait times and stands that accept all major credit cards. The only real criticism is a lack of signature items of truly outstanding quality. Standard concession items include assorted hot dogs (regular, Polish, cheddar and spicy Chicago), nachos, pretzels, peanuts, Cracker Jacks, a small popcorn, kettle or caramel corn, churros, cotton candy, snowcones, ice cream bars and assorted boxes of candy ($4-$7), along with a refillable popcorn tub for $10 and select two-item combos of some of the above from $9 to $10. Selections expand as you move to the wheeled carts on the inner part of the concourse, like a “Healthy Options” menu featuring Moroccan meatballs, fish tacos, vegetarian chili, a chicken Caesar wrap and fruit skewers ($5-$8); a Mexican food cart with chips and queso ($4.75) or build-your-own burrito, burrito bowl or nachos for $10; a sandwich cart with select 6-inch subs for $7.50; a cart with hamburgers and a variety of condiments for $10; and a couple of dessert stands offering Dippin’ Dots ice cream ($4.50 or $6.50), various caramel apples ($6-$9) and frozen, chocolate-dipped strawberries, bananas and cheesecake slices ($5-$8). All are of above average quality, and adequately priced by sporting event standards. Drink selections are similarly expansive, with Pepsi (including Diet Pepsi, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew and Sierra Mist) available in canned ($3.50), bottled ($4.50) or fountain ($5 for a souvenir cup, $6 for a large cup) choices, and other options like bottled water, Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate ($4-$6) also available. Lawlor does, in fact serve alcohol, like aluminum bottles of Budweiser, Bud Lite and Coors Lite ($8), “premiums” such as Shock Top, Samuel Adams seasonals (both canned), New Belgium, Pyramid, Goose Island and Angry Orchard (poured into a 12-oz. plastic cup for $8.50), and select wines ($8.50 per cup), cocktails ($9 for a regular, $18 for a double) and margaritas ($9). For value, nothing beats a refillable popcorn tub shared with friends, but we enjoyed the ultimate nachos ($10) at the cart outside section six. Atmosphere 3 Lawlor’s recent additions represent a big step forward for a game day experience that was already pretty good, but a few key complaints still keep it from scoring higher in this area. The arena’s 11,536 seats are laid out in a slight oval configuration inside a circular building, with the court running perpendicular to that oval. The upper and lower halves of the seats are divided by an internal concourse, which is free for people to move around in during games, with the one exception being the center court area where TV cameras are placed. The vast majority of the seats are folding, blue plastic with shared armrests that might be a little snug for taller fans, while padded seats on the two sidelines round out the rest. The newest main attractions are a stunning set of four new center-hung HD video boards, a ribbon board with individual player stats below that, and a brand-new playing surface with an equally new design. The picture quality, while excellent on both new boards, has tiny text on the ribbon board that is hard to read in the uppermost reaches of the arena, and supplemental stats like rebounds, blocks, steals, assists and three-pointers are confined to older boards that are almost totally obscured by fold-out seats on the two baselines. In-game promotions run the standard gamut of “tweet your seat” and “upgrade your seat” promotions, shooting contests during timeouts, and different interactive “cam” games (dance, flex, emoji and air guitar, to name a few), while the music is contemporary sporting event fare played at a reasonable volume on the arena’s new sound system. The PA announcer adds to games without distracting from them, while the cheerleaders and mascots could benefit from a little more interactivity with fans. Nevada’s pep band, the Howlers, is frequently the best bunch of student fans at games, in addition to playing a good selection of peppy tunes. The optimum location to take in the game day scene is in section five at center court, but pretty much anywhere in the arena that isn’t directly behind the TV cameras will afford you a good view. That includes the upper reaches, too, though the complaint with the ribbon board text is especially applicable there. Neighborhood 3 The arena is located at the north end of the University of Nevada campus in an area primarily comprised of newish buildings and residential homes. Its immediate surroundings are safe, and a have a few options for pre and postgame activities that get more varied the farther south you go towards downtown. For lunch, one of the university neighborhood’s newest additions is GourMelt off of Sierra Street at University Terrace, specializing in grilled cheese sandwich creations. For dinner or a drink, the area’s most famous watering hole is arguably Red’s Little Waldorf Saloon – “the Wal” to locals – and offers a wide assortment of bar and pub grub a short walk north and across Virginia Street from Lawlor. If you’d prefer to cast a wider net to the downtown area, Campo on Sierra next to the Truckee River is our pick. The National Automobile Museum at Lake and Mill Streets showcases a cool assortment of more than 220 cars from the personal collection of former casino magnate Bill Harrah. West of that is the Riverwalk District and its charming collection of shops, restaurants and green spaces like Wingfield Park, where free outdoor concerts are often played. Casino shows change with the seasons, and they offer tourists an added layer of possible entertainment destinations. A hop in a car for a short drive south can take you to either Lake Tahoe or Virginia City for a day trip. Suggestions on where to stay are plentiful, and depend almost entirely on how much you’re willing to spend and the general area where you’d prefer to stay. A traveler on a small budget could make due with one of the smaller hotels, but we think saving up for either the Peppermill about four miles south of the arena or Whitney Peak next to the Reno Arch will yield a better overall experience. Fans 4 Though it won’t be confused with New Mexico’s Pit or Viejas Arena at San Diego State, Lawlor’s fan support is passionate, engaged in the action, and on the upswing. The main exception to this is a lackluster student section. Nevada’s average attendance increased from 5,496 in the 2014-15 season to 6,554 in Eric Musselman’s first year at the helm. This puts them slightly below the Mountain West’s average attendance of 7,167 at that time, which is still the best among American college basketball’s “non-power” conferences. They’re squarely in the middle of a league with venues both highly attended (New Mexico, San Diego State and UNLV) and sparsely attended (San Jose State and Air Force), but are getting better each year. Though typically not near the arena’s full capacity, the crowds at Lawlor are loud, and engaged in what’s transpiring on the court. They limit their movement during the action, and get especially loud when a series of calls doesn’t go their way, which carries over to other moments when Nevada does something great. They could be even greater if the Blue Crew, Nevada’s student section, were better at filling up their end of the arena, starting chants, and generating noise during important stretches – all of which they rarely do with any consistency. Access 4 Getting to Lawlor is straightforward and hassle-free to the necessary extent. Moving around inside, however, can be tricky under certain circumstances. The Sierra Spirit bus offers an easy public transit option from the downtown area to Lawlor for 25 cents per person per ride on a round that takes about 30 minutes. Commercial flights into and out of the area go through Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a 15-minute car ride away. The majority of free parking for games is located in surface lots north of Mackay Stadium next door. The Whalen parking structure just south of the new campus fitness center also has free spaces, but it’s only available for games that fall on weekends, holidays or days when class isn’t in session. If you can get there early enough and it’s not during normal business hours, we suggest parking at the university post office. Provided you aren’t bringing in any unsealed containers of food or liquids, the security screenings at a typical home game are a breeze. We’ve used the entrances near the West Stadium parking structure, but odds are that none of them will give you any significant problems. The only people who currently have ticketless entry are the students who swipe their IDs to get in. The arena’s main concourse is where the only real criticism crops up, going from comfortably wide along the court’s sidelines to downright claustrophobic behind the baskets. For games that are either highly attended or very close or both, having lots of people moving in one direction at once through those latter areas can be a problem. The lines at Lawlor’s decently clean restrooms are usually fine, but can back up at busy times. Unfortunately, the main concourse isn’t open to the court, and the closed-circuit TVs that used to be at every concession stand are no longer there. Thankfully, there are lots of accessible parking spots in the West Stadium garage, and accessible seating is located in each even-numbered section on the interior concourse. Return on Investment 4 For a program on the rise, the current price to enjoy a basketball game at Lawlor Events Center is just right, with a good number of different options to enjoy an outing there. The majority of the lower bowl is unavailable for single game ticket sales, unless you decide to turn to the secondary market. In the upper bowl, single game tickets start at $16 for the plaza basket area (sections 12-16), $18 for plaza corner seats (sections 1, 9-11, 17-19, 23-25 and 35-36), $20 for plaza center seats (the uppermost reaches of sections 2-8 and 20-26), $30 for the center concourse (the lower half of those same sections) and $60 for lower basket seats (the lower bowl seats in sections 10-18, 28-29 and 35-36). Season tickets for the aforementioned sections range from $179 in the plaza basket area all the way up to $650 in the lower basket sections. For more attractive “premium” home games, these prices are subject to slight increases. We found the plaza center seats to be a good way to take in a single game, while a season ticket in the plaza basket area is an especially great value. Free parking is typically not a problem to find for most games, the cost of a trip on the Sierra Spirit bus is minimal, the programs are free, and a bottomless popcorn or plate of ultimate nachos with a bottled water will set you back $14. Single game discounts of anywhere from $6 to $16 per ticket are available for groups of 20 or more people, depending on where you sit, and there are also bigger discounts available for youth, senior and military guests. Special season ticket discounts are available for University of Nevada staff ($20 off per season ticket for up to two people), four-packs ($596) in select sections for employees of Washoe County School District, the Nevada System of Higher Education and the State of Nevada, and for children eighth grade and younger (a Pup Club membership for $55 that includes free admission to home, regular season games for six different Wolf Pack sports along with several other perks). Extras 2 We like the championship banners hanging from the rafters inside Lawlor, as well as the banners of great past players on the arena’s main concourse. We also liked that the ribbon board that shows individual player stats has the watermarked logos of the two teams playing, though they could stand to be directly underneath their respective team scores rather than in opposite places. There’s also a tribute to long-time booster Link Piazzo on the concourse, and the people at Nevada’s athletic department were courteous and professional with us. Final Thoughts It’s clear the Nevada Wolf Pack is on its way up in the college basketball world, and a game day at Lawlor Events Center is similarly above average. It’s excellent in a few areas, mediocre in others, and only lacks that certain magic that consistently excellent programs carry over from year to year and decade to decade. A few more great seasons strung together could potentially vault a game at Lawlor from “above average” to “bucket list” destination.

Photos courtesy of Amy Lane Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 The Nest at Colbert Court 6000 J St Sacramento, CA 95819 Sacramento State Hornets website The Nest at Colberg Court website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 1,012 The Hornets Nest The Sacramento State Hornets play in one of the smallest gyms in NCAA's Division I. This creates an intimate environment for the Hornets men's basketball team that routinely fills up The Nest to its 1,012 spectator capacity. The Hornets Nest at Colberg Court has been the home to Sacramento State basketball and volleyball since it opened in 1955. Sacramento State plays in California's capital city and competes in the Big Sky Conference. The conference is the home to many state universities with smaller athletic programs in the Western United States. Next year, Sac State's neighbor, UC-Davis , will join the conference as an affiliate member, participating only in football. During this time of complete conference overhauls, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has shown interest in recruiting the Hornets into the FBS realm of college football. Some of the holdup has been the state of Colberg Court and the perception that it is unfit and too small in relation to other schools in the conference and in the division. After all the courting of universities and conferences it seems Sacramento State is staying put in the Big Sky for the foreseeable future. Food & Beverage 2 There is nothing too exciting about the food and beverage options at The Nest. However, I did appreciate the straight forward nature of the menu and the reasonable prices. Hot dogs ($4), polish dogs ($5), nachos ($3), popcorn ($1), chips ($1) and candy ($1) are the extent of the food options. Bottled water ($1.50) and soda ($1.50), coffee ($1), Gatorade ($3) and Rockstar Energy Drink ($2.50) were the only beverage options, but again, at very reasonable prices. My recommendation is to eat at a nearby restaurant prior and grabbing a cup of coffee at the game. Atmosphere 4 I didn't know what to expect when I traveled to Sacramento to see the Hornets play. I'd been to many basketball venues in the state's lesser conferences with decidedly mixed atmospheres. To top it off, it was a rainy Thursday and 8:00 pm tip. Sacramento State had the best basketball atmosphere of the "smaller" venues I've been to, surpassing UC-Davis, Pacific and San Jose State, and rivaling the likes of USF and Saint Mary's . To begin, the place was packed. Granted, the maximum capacity is only 1,200 persons but I was still pleasantly surprised. I often think that schools with passionate, yet small fan bases would be better suited for even smaller, intimate venues. Many members of the other athletic programs were in attendance creating quite a buzz around the gym. It was also the night which the senior members of the Hornet cheer leading squad and dance team were recognized for their time at Sac State. One could easily confuse Colberg Court for a high school gym as it is particularly small for a college venue and the atmosphere is definitely a social event. Granted, there are plenty of fans paying attention to the game but the social aspect is certainly strong. There were two sections of seating, mirroring one another on either side of the court. Each section was only about a dozen rows high for the duration of its length, allowing great views no matter your seat. One thing of note that I certainly took issue with. On one end line, against the wall, are what look to be at first glance, banners immortalizing great moments in Hornets history. Upon further review, they are nothing but sponsorship adds masquerading as relevant banners. Neighborhood 4 There are plenty of spots near the school to grab a bite nearby. Cafe 601 is on University Avenue and a popular destination for college students serving sandwiches and other to-go items. Hoppy Brewing Company is the most popular brewery in Sacramento and serves regular pub food. Their beer can be found at retailers all around Northern California. Though you can imbibe nearby the venue, if you have time, a trip downtown might be in order. You can visit the California State Capital, just five miles from the university as well as enjoy the rest of the downtown Sacramento area. The Pilothouse and Moxie are good downtown restaurants if you're looking for sit-down restaurant while the Firehouse and Biba are upscale restaurants in Old Sacramento near the waterfront. As the sixth-largest city in California, Sacramento has nearly half a million residents so it follows that there will be historical and social value in your surroundings. Fans 4 As previously mentioned, the fans filled up The Nest for this weeknight game, and I was pleasantly surprised. Many of the fans in attendance were families, no doubt because of the affordable nature of a Sac State basketball game. At one baseline there was a small group of students on sofas and a riser that were particularly rowdy. Some of the students were shirtless and waving flags. I did think that the socialization during the game was a tad inappropriate due to the close score of the game, but many, many other fans were engaged with the Hornets. The fans seemed to really respond to the emotion of the players playing the game and that was due in part to the proximity of any seat to the action. When their star player was pumped up, so were they. Access 2 The university is easily accessible from highway 50 and just a few miles from the I-5 and 99 junctions. Unfortunately, the easy access ends there. You almost need to have pre-existing knowledge of The Nest to know where it is. It is just a part of the bigger building complex and may take some investigating to find its actual location. Though there are four doors leading to the court, only one of them is accessible for patrons. This one entrance can get rather crowded as it also is the main entrance to the building, has access to other parts of the building, houses the snack bar and restrooms, as well as displays the championship trophies of Hornets athletics. Once you make your way through the threshold and into the gym you must walk in front of all of the spectators to get wherever you are going. This in particular made the gym feel particularly small as the bigger venues have fans enter from above and behind the seats. Return on Investment 4 This is by no means a top-flight college basketball team or conference but that doesn't mean it's not a great experience, and for a great price. General admission tickets are $10 with discounts available for seniors, students, and children. Parking is free on campus during the evenings and food, while not extensive, is certainly affordable. Extras 2 The Nest at Colberg Court does not have any great awe aspects or intangibles that separate it from any other venue. I did enjoy perusing the trophy case but that was nullified by the silly banners displaying local and national sponsors. What is nice is that it is an experience unlike any other I've experienced in Division I college basketball. The size of the gym certainly plays a roll in that, along with loyal fans.

Photos Courtesy of TSU Tigers Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Gentry Center 3500 John Merritt Blvd Nashville, TN 37209 Tennessee State Tigers website Gentry Center website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 10,500 A Tiger by the Tail in the Music City Nashville is primarily known as the Music City and for being the capital of Tennessee. It is also an educational hub for the state, as it is home to more than 16 colleges and universities. One of these schools is Tennessee State University (TSU), the only state-funded historically black university in the Volunteer State. Founded in 1912, TSU has an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students on its urban campus. It offers 45 bachelor’s degree programs and 24 master’s degree programs. Its most famous alumnus is Oprah Winfrey. Tennessee State’s athletic teams are known as the Tigers, and they compete in the Ohio Valley Conference in all sports. Before joining the OVC, the Tigers played in the NAIA level of competition, where they were three-time national champions in basketball. Since moving up to Division I, TSU has made two NCAA tournament appearances. The Tigers’ home court is known as the Gentry Center, and it is located centrally on campus. Built-in 1980, the basketball portion of the facility has a capacity of 10,500 in its game configuration. The Gentry Complex also houses the Physical Education Department, a dance studio, an indoor track, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, racquetball courts, and training/weight room facilities. One unique aspect of the indoor track is that it is part of the basketball arena, as it is located behind the top row of seating. The track is named for Wilma Rudolph, a TSU alumnus and a world-famous Olympian in track and field. Food & Beverage 2 There are only two concession stands in this 10,000-seat facility, which equals long lines at any time during the game. One is located on the upper level of the south stands just inside the main entrance to the facility. The other is located on the lower level of the north and stands next to the ticket office. The offerings at either stand are rather meager, as the complete menu consists of Tiger Dogs ($3), chili dogs ($4), nachos ($3), and pickles, chips, and candy (all $1 each). The bottled drinks are Pepsi brands and are priced at $2. My advice is to stop and eat at one of the many restaurants along West End Avenue (a five-minute drive from TSU), as there are no eating establishments within walking distance of the campus. Atmosphere 3 The Gentry Center offers the largest seating capacity of any OVC school. To fill those seats, you need a quality team on the court, frequent promotions involving the fans, and in TSU’s case, one of the best college bands around …. The Aristocrat of Bands. The band can stir up the crowd with numerous upbeat songs, and it is almost a religious experience when they launch into “I’m So Glad,” the school’s unofficial fight song, and the entire stands break into a choreographed set of moves to the song. The cheerleaders and dance team are a valuable part of this celebration. You will leave the arena humming the tune. Gentry Center offers an excellent seating arrangement for viewing the games, as the stands are elevated above the court. Seating on the sides is plastic molded stadium seats, while the band and student body fill the bleacher seating at the end of the court. There are no suites available, and all tickets are general admission. The scoreboard over the playing surface does provide a good overview of the stats of the game but is lacking, in that it has no video or graphics capabilities. There are two small Daktronics screens on the corners of the court behind the upper seating level. They are very outdated with poor picture quality and are simply too small relative to the size of the facility. One other distraction is the multi-purpose function of the facility. Other sports share the facility simultaneously, so mesh curtains are let down to screen out other activities, which in turn can block your view of the game from behind the baskets if you are on the upper concourse. Also, even though it is named in honor of hands down the greatest track athlete ever, Wilma Rudolph, the indoor track’s location at the top of the stands makes you think first before crossing, as you never know when a stray runner may sprint by. Neighborhood 4 The main campus of TSU is located in a residential area near the Cumberland River, approximately 10 minutes northwest of downtown Nashville. While the neighborhood is very attractive, there is very little to do in the immediate area of the campus. There is one Wendy’s within walking distance of TSU. Your best bets as far as eating establishments are Harper’s on Jefferson Avenue, which is a Nashville tradition and serves a highly-regarded southern and soul food cuisine, or M.L. Rose Craft Beer and Burger located on Charlotte Avenue, which is on the other side of I-40 from the TSU campus. The West End Avenue district is located just five minutes from TSU, and offers all levels of food service and entertainment offerings, as it fronts Vanderbilt University. Some of the local favorites include Jimmy Kelly’s, the Nashville Dog, and for breakfast, the Pancake Pantry. This area also offers you the best selection of choices for lodging, with all major brands represented at more reasonable prices than the downtown hotels, which cater to the convention and tourism trade. Depending on your budget, the Marriott holdings (Courtyard Marriott- West End, the Springhill Suites -Vanderbilt, or the Marriott Residence Inn- West End) are within a block of each other and are within walking distance of some great restaurants. Fans 4 Tennessee State’s membership in the Ohio Valley Conference means there are frequent rivalry games against five other OVC schools within a 100-mile radius of Nashville. These schools include Belmont University, Austin Peay University, Lipscomb University, Tennessee Tech, and the University of Tennessee-Martin. This proximity results in a very lively experience, both in the stands and on the court. TSU students stand and cheer for the majority of the game. Aided by the non-stop music provided by the famous and award-winning Aristocrat of Bands, there is a party going on the whole game. Due to the on-campus location, most of the students simply walk over from their dorms to the games. Since the student activity fee covers game admission, expect the student section to be filled and rocking the whole game. Access 2 The Gentry Complex is easily accessed via I-40. You would simply take the 28th Avenue exit and go three red lights, following the signage to Tennessee State University. You would then turn left onto Walter S. Davis Boulevard, and the Gentry Complex will be on your left. The real fun comes in identifying which building it is, as there is absolutely no name, athletic logo, or other signage indicating it is an athletic facility. For a new visitor to the campus, this confusion is compounded by the placement of the ticketing facilities at the back of the building on what looks like a service road. The parking is free along the driveway leading up to the Gentry Center or in the faculty lot just to the left of the Olympic Plaza. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are all general admission seating and cost $10. Parking for the Gentry Complex is free. The concession prices are very reasonable, but your food choices are extremely limited. Probably the most expensive aspect of going to a TSU Tigers game will be lodging, as there are no hotels located in the vicinity of the school. The closest options are in the downtown or West End districts of the Nashville area and run from $100-$350.00 a night. If you do not require overnight accommodations, a night out at a Tennessee State basketball game will not break the bank. Extras 3 The Aristocrat of Bands certainly deserves an extra point for its showmanship, musical talent, and ability to keep the audience enthused. A second extra goes to TSU’s Olympics Plaza, which is located just outside the Gentry Center and celebrates the dozens of TSU track and field stars who have gone on to Olympic glory. The plaza offers a listing of these athletes, who reads like a who’s who of gold, silver, and bronze medalists, in addition to many world record holders. A very contemporary statue depicting a relay runner also highlights this area. The third extra goes to Music City and all its entertainment offerings. This ranges from professional sports, big-name concerts almost nightly, and lively arts and cultural heritage.

Photo Courtesy of utrgvrider.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 UTRGV Fieldhouse 1201 West University Dr Edinburg, TX 78541 UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros website UTRGV Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 2,500 Deep South Texas Division I Home The Fieldhouse, located in the city of Edinburg (in the Deep South Texas), has a unique charm. It may not be impressive from the outside but it is inside. Built in 1969 the Fieldhouse has aged well. Major renovations to the bleachers on both sides, center court, and a graphics layout has given the venue a face lift that makes it a great place to visit. With a name change from UTPA to UTRGV in fall 2015 came new court insignias and branding around the Field House and campus. The new looks are only the start of the face lift that the Fieldhouse may get in the near future. Food & Beverage 2 Honestly food and drink at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Fieldhouse is nothing to write home about. There is not a kitchen or even a concession stand inside. In the courtyard outside of the west entrance two mobile trailers sell concessions. ‘Concession’ is the right word because you will not find too many extravagant stadium foods like burgers. Hot dogs are available most of the time if the demand isn’t too much. A strong suggestion from the concession stand options is hot cheetos with cheese. This is a regional snack that is the spicy version of hot cheetos with a hearty spoonful of nacho cheese. (Served with a fork because it is as messy as it sounds.) Other than that it’s an average variety of chips, drinks and candy bars. If you want good eats I would suggest eating on University Drive before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 Even though Texas-Rio Grande Valley is known as a commuter campus everything about a UTRGV game is a college experience. The UTRGV pep band is always fun and keeping the attitude light no matter the score. The band is always loud but are sometimes rivalled by that of fraternities or the student section. The video scoreboard is impressive for the size of the arena. Spanning nearly the entire end line on the south side, the video board offers instant replay and also serves as a scoreboard. Just above the video board you’ll find the 1962-63 NAIA National Championship banner. On the left side hangs a banner recognizing the 1980-81 NIT bid and to the right hangs the retired jersey of Luke Jackson (NBA and Olympic champion). Near the walkway on the southwest corner and Fieldhouse wall is a plaque which pays homage to the coach of the ’63 championship team as well as the father of UTPA, now UTRGV basketball, Sam Williams. Above the east side bleachers is a “Welcome to the Valley” banner. Neighborhood 2 Edinburg, Texas is not exactly a hot spot for tourism. It is a suburb of a town, McAllen, that isn’t really heavy on attractions either. There is a very unique culture along the US-Mexico border, but sadly there is not much more to do than eat out. Within a mile or so radius of the Fieldhouse there is a plethora of eating options catered for the college students (or fans). There are tons of fast foods options if you just want to fulfill a meal but there’s some nicer sit down options as well. My top suggestion is to check out the University Drafthouse. The Drafthouse is newly opened and is tailor-made for game days. They will even stream UTRGV away games if there is streaming capabilities wherever the Vaqueros are traveling. The restaurant keeps more than 30 beers on tap, many in bottles and serves some top notch hamburgers (something you’ll have leave campus to do). There’s also a taqueria right across the street if you want to get into the traditional food of the Rio Grande Valley. La Mexicana won’t take too much out of your wallet and the meal should be memorable. The history of the area can be further explored at the Museum of South Texas History. Another neat stop is the Tejano Walk of Fame near the Edinburg city hall which serves as a tribute to Tejano music legends. Edinburg in itself isn’t overflowing with attractions, so I recommend lodging in nearby McAllen at the Hilton Garden Inn. McAllen is a much larger city with tons more to do and is only a skip south. About an hour and a half east of Edinburg is the summer time travel stop of South Padre Island. Depending on the timing and weather for your trip, you may want to try to include a stop here as a side excursion. Fans 3 Since UTRGV doesn’t boast a football team (yet), basketball is the pride and joy of the school. UTRGV fans often go the way the team goes. If the team isn’t winning the crowds will thin out. Even during rough seasons however, you can find some passionate fans wearing green and orange to support the team. There is a very loyal group of senior citizens that often purchase season tickets that you can always find frequenting the bleachers at the Fieldhouse no matter what the state of the Vaqueros may be. Sadly tough times have fallen upon the Vaqueros and often attendance can dip below 500 fans a night. A factor contributing to this is the cross-country opponents they face during conference play. It might be hard for a crowd to get behind a rivalry with a team from say Bakersfield, California. If you attend a game against a more geographical rival, like UT-San Antonio then you are likely to find a more healthy crowd. Fans are always into the game, cheering hard when good things happen and everything you would hope for in a college crowd. If you’re lucky you can even catch the Fieldhouse on an extra festive day with pre-game tailgates or pep rallies. Access 3 UTRGV’s Fieldhouse in Edinburg is approximately a 20 minute drive from the Rio Grande Valley’s nearest airport in McAllen. If you fly into the other international airport in Harlingen, you can expect a 45 minute to an hour drive. Finding the Fieldhouse has been said to be a challenge to non-regulars. This mostly stems from the fact that almost all of the buildings on the campus have the exact same exterior and the Fieldhouse is no different. Look for parking lot F. Wheelchair access is available upon request and you’ll be seated somewhere on the floor. The restrooms are outside of the doors that non-season ticket holders enter through and lines are nonexistent. Return on Investment 3 An adult ticket will set you back $8, or $10 for reserved which is reasonable considering you are catching NCAA Division I action. Parking is always free. A better on-court product might have warranted a bump in ROI but until UTRGV starts to host and compete with high-caliber opponents or even makes a run at WAC success it still can seem like a tough sell. The price leaves room for a decent meal before or after your evening at the Fieldhouse. The Rio Grande Valley has one of the lowest costs of livings in the country so a visit to South Texas won’t break the bank. Extras 2 The pep band likes to play sing along tunes and also leads the heckling department. It’s also fun to do the fake shot clock countdown which has been known to force a few point guards to rush the play. In 2012 a Coca-Cola sponsored video board was installed that is very helpful for those keeping stats to see exactly what every player on the court is doing in terms or points, assists, rebounds and fouls.

Photo Courtesy of Tyler Smith Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Truist Arena 500 Nunn Dr Highland Heights, KY 41099 Northern Kentucky Norse website Truist Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 9,400 Valhalla Wasn’t Built in a Day Opened in 2008, BB&T Arena ushered in the new era of Northern Kentucky Norse basketball. The school announced its intentions to move the school’s athletic programs from the Division II level, where they had great success, up to Division I. However, that era came a bit later than expected after the arena proved a bit too nice for the Ohio Valley Conference. Luckily, the Atlantic Sun would step up and accepted NKU months later in December 2011. After playing three of the NCAA-required four probationary seasons in the A-Sun, including 2015 where the conference allowed the Norse to play in the conference tournament earlier than required, the Norse announced the surprising news that the school was abruptly moving its teams to the Midwest-based Horizon League for the 2015-2016 season. Note: The arena name changed to Truist Arena in April 2022. Food & Beverage 3 With smaller crowds, for now, the arena has one main concession stand open in the corner outside section 108. It’s a small menu with the basics like burgers, hot dogs, Papa John’s pizza, popcorn, and nachos. Prices are slightly higher than expected at a small college, but still in line with most arenas ($4-$8 for most items). Like the other Cincinnati-area schools, NKU serves alcohol at its on-campus arena with Budweiser and Bud Light on draft ($7 for 20 oz) at the main concession stand and also at a smaller beer-specific stand outside sections 105 and 106. The main stand does offer a couple premium beers (also $7), including cans of Stella Artois (16 oz pour), and an area beer in Cougar Bait (an American Blonde Ale; 12 oz pour) from Lexington, Kentucky’s Country Boy Brewing. On the student section side, there’s a small stand without beer sales tucked behind section 101. On the open platform above the seats, there’s a small ice cream stand. I’m assuming there’s a contingency plan for when the upper deck seats are used but even now there could probably be something done to get the line at the main stand moving quicker. Observing the stand outside of halftime showed the lines still backed up, blocking the concourse path. Atmosphere 3 Designed in part by local firm GBBN Architects and 360 (now HOK Sport), seating at BB&T Arena is configured for 9,400 with a complete lower bowl and a 3/4 upper deck. The seating bowl offers great views from every angle. The place is modern, bright and comfortable and is one of the nicer venues among mid-major programs.. Like many basketball-centric schools, BB&T Arena serves as not just the home of the men’s and women’s basketball programs, but also as the spiritual home of all the university’s athletic programs. This is exemplified in the NKU Athletics Hall Of Fame near the arena’s main entrance on the north end. All of the school’s championships and star players from the Division II era are recorded here. It really shows just how successful the school was and how it aided their ambition to step up to the Division I level. In their time as a Division II power since the early 70s until 2012, Norse athletic teams racked up 50 conference titles in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, 25 NCAA regional championships and three national titles. The trophies spill out into another case in the concourse. As crowds increase hopefully the school will consider moving the inflatables outside of the arena area and give that space to the students or some sort of standing perch. It is odd to see that stuff taking up space while the game is going on. Neighborhood 2 The campus was built in the early 1970s, and the architecture reflects the concrete brutalist-inspired structures popular at that time, but the campus is also being augmented with modern glass and steel buildings like Griffin Hall. NKU is still very much a commuter campus, so there’s not much life on it outside of class hours, though the university has put an effort into growing that. The surrounding town of Highland Heights is a car-centric suburb. Along with the grocery and drugstores, there are a number of shops and restaurants that dot the strip malls along Alexandria Pike (US 27). There are some decent spots nearby like local favorite Frisch’s and fast-casual chains like Chipotle and Smashburger. Fans 2 It is natural that NKU’s crowds are going to be smaller for the near future. You don’t build fan loyalty overnight and the school is still in the nascent years of its D-I era. Add in that they’re fighting for attention in a region crowded with college basketball from the likes of Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Xavier and it’s quite the uphill fight for the young program. Nonetheless, it is still a bit disappointing to see the lack of student turnout. Perhaps the oversized student section exacerbates things, but the empty bleachers are surprising. In fairness, along with fighting to get locals to care and become invested in Norse basketball, NKU is trying to shift away from being a commuter school, and currently has only 16% of its 15,000 students in university-related housing. Access 4 NKU is located about seven miles south of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The campus is quite easy to reach as it sits near the intersection of Cincinnati’s beltway (I-275) and Kentucky SR-471, which starts downtown as a spur from I-71. From the city’s airport in Hebron, KY it’s just 15 minutes on 275E to the campus. After turning on Nunn Drive or using 3 Mile Road/University Drive exit from 275 (East only), the NKU Soccer Stadium and the arena are the first pieces of the campus you’ll encounter. Parking is simple as the main Welcome Center garage sits next to the arena across University Drive along with a couple of surface lots. From the garage second level, there’s an elevated walkway straight to the arena’s main entrance that also serves as one of the campus’ major visual landmarks. The surface lots next to the arena, Lot O, are generally reserved for donors and premium ticket holders with the exception of accessible parking spaces. There is also designated accessible parking in the surface lots next to the garage. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $10 ($12 day of game) and parking is $5, which has to be one of the best sports deal in this area. Add in some snacks and a group of four can have a night out for around $70 total. With the school’s investment in the program, the Norse should continue to improve on the court, and with time should hopefully turn into a decent mid-major team. While this review was based on a men’s game, I’d advise basketball fans to look at attending a women’s game, as well. The women’s team has historically been the more successful of the two, winning two of the school’s three national titles, and continues to fare better in the D-I transition. Extras 3 One point for the Norse nickname and theme. It’s a unique choice amongst Division I schools and the school has done a nice job of utilizing Norse imagery to add to the school’s sports culture and atmosphere. Even with the smaller crowd, you’ll still see a number of students and fans wearing Viking hats and the school mascot, Victor E. Viking, is all over the place. As well, the upper-level seating is divided into the Thunder and Lightning Decks. One point for the move to the Horizon League. The A-Sun was a means to an end in the transition to Division I, but the Horizon offers many benefits as the school wraps up its probationary stage and works toward that eventful NCAA tourney berth. One point for the Hall of Fame. It shows that NKU has been excelling at sports long before the arena was built and provides major context to the history of Norse athletics. Final Thoughts There are the makings here for a great basketball atmosphere but it’s going to take time and, really, stakes. There are tons of schools that would love to have a facility this nice and the Norse fans will hopefully come around and make this a tough place for teams to play. I’m looking forward to seeing what the crowds look like here in a couple seasons when the Norse are fighting for Horizon League tournament position and have a shot at the NCAA’s.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Alumni Coliseum 521 Lancaster Ave Richmond, KY 40475 Eastern Kentucky Colonels website Alumni Coliseum website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 6,500 Ballin’ in Richmond Alumni Coliseum, otherwise known as Paul S. McBrayer Arena, is located in Richmond, Kentucky, and opened in 1963. The venue has a capacity of 6,500, and is currently home to Eastern Kentucky University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as EKU’s women’s volleyball team. The court itself is named after Paul McBrayer, a former EKU basketball coach. The venue is unique, in that its ceiling is made entirely of wooden beams, and is believed to be the largest such ceiling in existence. Food & Beverage 3 While Alumni Coliseum does not offer a ton of choices at its concessions stands, there is more than enough variety to suit most tastes. Food options include chicken sandwiches, tacos, burgers, hot dogs, brats, and pizza; these items range in price from $3.50 to $4.75. Snack options include popcorn, chips, candy, nachos, soft pretzels, peanuts, cookies, and Dippin’ Dots, which cost between $1 and $4. The food quality is actually fairly good for a sports stadium, especially the burgers (simple, but tasty). Drinks available at Alumni Coliseum include all of the basics, such as bottled soda (Pepsi products), bottled water, Gatorade, coffee, and hot cocoa, all of which cost $2.50 to $3. No alcohol is sold here, as the venue is located on a college campus. There are two types of concessions stands at Alumni Coliseum – the main ones are permanent, and the others are just plastic tables set up in the concourse. The tables only take cash, so if you specifically want a burger, cookies, or Dippin’ Dots, make sure you bring some cash. But all of the other items can be purchased from the main stands, which take cards. Atmosphere 3 Alumni Coliseum is a decent basketball venue, with a good crowd, and some nice features. Alumni Coliseum appears very imposing from the outside, but seems a little smaller once you get inside. The basketball court itself only has seating on three sides (along both sidelines and behind one backboard), but the video screen is located behind the opposite backboard, so is easy for all fans to see, even though it is not that big. See a video of the layout here: One nice feature of Alumni Coliseum is that the walls in the concourse are lined with trophy cases and plaques showcasing different teams’ accomplishments, as well as commemorating notable players and coaches. There are also flags outside on the plaza, and massive posters for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams adorning the wall outside the front entrance. Most of the seats are wooden bleachers, but there are three sections of metal chair backs (lower level along both sidelines, and upper level on one sideline). The lower-level chair backs are reserved for donors, but the upper-level chair backs are definitely worth the extra $2 they cost, since they are more comfortable than the bleachers. Neighborhood 2 There is not a lot to do in the small town of Richmond, besides visit the university. However, there are several decent restaurants near Alumni Coliseum, and the town has a little Civil War history, as well. About a mile from the stadium, near I-75 on your way into town, there is a Hooters and a Logan’s Roadhouse, either of which would make a fine hangout for before or after the game. But if you are looking for something more local, check out Madison Garden on Main St (northeast of Alumni Coliseum) – Madison Garden offers pretty standard bar fare, including wings and burgers that they are well-known for, but the real draw is that they serve over 175 different beers. Richmond was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, and there are a couple of monuments in town memorializing the battle, including the Visitor’s Center and Battlefield Park. There are a number of hotels about a mile from Alumni Coliseum, ranging from Holiday Inn to Comfort Suites. Most of them are located off I-75 to the west of the venue, but there are also a couple on the northeast side of campus. Fans 3 The fans at Alumni Coliseum are very loud and supportive of their team, and the venue draws a pretty good crowd. During a typical game in a good year, a men’s basketball game will draw between 4,000 and 5,000 fans, or about two-thirds full. Most of the fans wear team colors, and stay fairly loud throughout the game. The student section is clearly marked, but the students do not seem any louder than the rest of the fans, if not less so. Regardless, the concourse is absolutely deserted while the game is going on, so that definitely shows how engaged the fans are. Access 4 Alumni Coliseum is easy enough to find in the daytime, since it is located on a hill and is thus very visible. However, at night, it is a different story – the venue is surrounded by other campus buildings, so the only way you can really get there is from the main drag. Parking is free right outside the Coliseum’s main entrance (on the south side), so that is a major plus. Most fans enter on that side, and there are two ticket booths there, one of which only takes cash. Since the crowd is small, the concourse is rarely crowded and there is plenty of room to move around. There are more than enough bathrooms to accommodate everyone, and the lines at concessions are almost non-existent since there are multiple stands you can buy from. Once you get into the arena itself, there is a walkway that divides the upper and lower seating areas so you can still watch the game as you make your way to and from your seat. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to EKU basketball games are very cheap and concession prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere is not over the top, though, so unless you just want to see a game, there are other venues nearby which provide a lot more energy. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission, and $12 for upper-level chair backs ($8 for youth). Nothing at the concessions stands is over $5, and parking is free. Extras 2 Alumni Coliseum has some great architectural features, some of which are more easily seen during the day, such as the impressive entrance and the plaza outside, but the wooden ceiling is also notable. Having the trophy cases and plaques on display inside is also a nice touch, instead of having them hidden away in some museum far away. Final Thoughts Alumni Coliseum has some nice features but the crowd, while decent, is on the small side and probably won’t blow you away. That said, if you live nearby, it may be worth a visit to take in a game here, but it may not be a venue to travel very far for.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Henderson Center One John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25755 Marshall Thundering Herd website Henderson Center website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 9,048 Jam the Cam! Cam Henderson Center was built in 1981, as part of a deal with the West Virginia state legislature – legislators affiliated with Marshall refused to support funds to help build Mountaineer Field at West Virginia University unless Marshall also received a facility. The Center was originally designed to hold over 10,000 fans and had a retractable floor (so that other sports could be played there), but due to construction problems, the retractable floor was eventually replaced, which led to the current capacity of 9,048. Cam Henderson Center is named after former basketball, baseball, and football coach Cam Henderson, who coached at Marshall in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Henderson is known for originating the fast break and 2-3 zone defense, which are major components of modern basketball. The Center is currently home to the Marshall University basketball teams, but is also occasionally used for volleyball and tennis. Food & Beverage 2 Cam Henderson Center doesn’t have a great selection at its concession stands, but fortunately, college basketball games are not very long. There are only two main dishes (hot dogs and Philly cheesesteak) and only a handful of other items, including kettle corn, popcorn, pretzels, Cracker Jack, candy, and chips. Prices are on the low side, however; everything costs between $2 and $4, except for the Philly cheesesteak, which costs $7, and the kettle corn, which costs $6 and only comes in a large bag. Drink options are exactly what you would expect from a stadium – you can get soda, bottled water, Gatorade, coffee, hot cocoa, or fresh-squeezed lemonade. Drink prices range from $3 to $6, depending on beverage choice and size. There is no alcohol available in Cam Henderson Center, as it is located on campus. Atmosphere 4 Cam Henderson Center provides a decent atmosphere, with great crowd noise and comfortable seating in most areas. The Center is constructed of brick and cement, and has very unique architecture, with walls that angle in until about two-thirds of the way up, when the top portion begins to angle back out. The side facing the dorms also has a series of angled support columns. The inside of the Center is also unique – unlike many basketball arenas, which have plenty of seating on all four sides, at Marshall almost all of the seats are along the sidelines, with only a few seats behind each backboard. The seats along the sidelines angle up sharply, due to the architecture, but since the Center isn’t very big, this doesn’t create any vertigo problems. Most of the seats are chair backs, with the most comfortable ones located in the lower level – seats in this area are padded. There are a few sections with bleachers, namely behind the backboards and at the very top of the facility. There is also plenty of signage inside Cam Henderson Center, in the form of banners commemorating tournament appearances, as well as wall-size pictures of notable former players on the walls out in the concourse. Marshall basketball provides typical entertainment during the game, such as the cheerleaders performing and the mascot playing games with kids during breaks in the action. However, Marshall also does a good job trying to get involved in the local community – for example, during halftime, the cheerleaders perform with local junior cheerleader squads, and the Center also supports pet adoption by bringing animals needing homes in during games. Neighborhood 3 There isn’t much in Huntington besides the university, but there are some interesting attractions around town, and several places to eat before or after the game. The most well-known hangout is Fat Patty’s, which is located on 3rd Avenue, not far from the Center. Specializing in burgers, Fat Patty’s offers a full bar, large TVs, and two happy hours (4pm-7pm & 10pm-1am), and is a big hit with the locals, thanks to its casual atmosphere. There are also plenty of other restaurants along 3rd Avenue, including fast food, as well as fine dining. One of the interesting things you will see dotted around Huntington are painted sculptures of locomotives, which are sponsored by local businesses and painted by local artists. These sculptures are meant to commemorate the importance of railroads in the area’s history. There is also a one-room schoolhouse museum not far from the Center – check out the video to see one of the sculptures and the museum: Fans 4 Marshall basketball fans bring lots of energy to the Cam Henderson Center, and almost all fans show up wearing green. While the Center may not always sell out, there is still a great showing, with a crowd of at least seven or eight thousand strong during a typical game (80-90% capacity), especially later in the season during conference match-ups. The crowd cheers loudly throughout the game, and cheers of “We are Marshall!” and “Let’s go Herd!” are frequent. Most of the fans stay in their seats while the game is going on, so the concourse is pretty deserted, except during halftime. Access 3 Parking during Marshall basketball games is surprisingly difficult, but bathrooms are easily accessible inside the Center, if you know where to look. Cam Henderson Center is located across the street from the football stadium, which has four times the capacity, so it seems like there should be plenty of parking during basketball games. However, most of the regular parking areas, such as the lot outside the football stadium and the nearby parking decks, seem to be reserved for pass holders, and I did not see a single cash lot. The only place to park is on one of the nearby streets, so it might take some time to find a space. On the plus side, street parking is usually free, unless you park next to a meter (these are only free on Sundays). The main entrance is on the 3rd Avenue side, which is closer to parking for most fans, but you can get in on the opposite side. Moving around the stadium is fairly easy, since the concourse is pretty wide, but you may have to fight some lines during halftime. In the seating area itself, there are lots of walkways facing the court, so fans can move around and still watch the game. The bathrooms tend to have long lines during halftime, but if you walk around to the end of the concourse (behind the backboard), you won’t have to wait – this part of the concourse is pretty deserted, since most of the seats are along the sidelines. Return on Investment 3 Attending a game at the Cam Henderson Center is a good experience, but is probably not worthwhile cost-wise, unless you are able to buy cheap tickets. Tickets start at $10 for general admission (nosebleed seating), and go up to $25 (seats closest to the court). While the atmosphere is certainly fun and the crowd is solid, I am not sure the experience is worth $25, especially if you have a large group. Plus, even though the concessions are cheap enough, they are not all that fulfilling, and parking is a little bit of a hassle. It would be a good idea to buy your tickets online in advance, because the cheap seats may sell out if you wait until game day. Extras 3 The architecture is very unique, and it is nice to see that the administration tries to support the community by letting local groups participate on game day. Also, it is a lot of fun to drive around town and do some train-spotting for the colorful sculptures. Final Thoughts If you come to Cam Henderson Center for a game, be sure to arrive early, so you have less trouble finding parking. Also, be sure to wear green, or you definitely will look out of place!

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Titan Gym 800 North State College Blvd Fullerton, CA 92834 Cal State Fullerton Titans website Titan Gym website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 4,000 Where Titans Clash Named for the school’s nickname, Titan Gym was built in 1964 and seats 4,000 fans. Despite its age, a number of improvements in recent years have kept the gym serviceable for Division-I basketball. A new scoreboard, chair backed seating, and a redesigned floor are just a few of the renovations since 2012. Food & Beverage 2 A concession stand outside the main entrance serves up dogs, snacks and beverages at reasonable prices and includes hot dogs ($3.50) and polish dogs ($4). Both also come as combos with a bag of chips and a 16 oz soda for $2 more. Pepsi product fountain beverages are available in three sizes, 44 oz ($4.50), 32 oz ($3.50), 24 oz ($2.50). Coffee is also available for $2. Snacking options include nachos with cheese and jalapenos ($3.50), churros ($2.75), soft pretzels ($2.75, $3.25 with cheese), peanuts ($4.50), assorted candies ($3), sunflower seeds ($2) and chips ($1.50). Gatorade ($3.50) and bottled water ($2.50) are also available. If all you’re looking for is snacking options or bottled drinks, another snack stand is set up inside the arena just inside the concourse of the main entrance. Atmosphere 3 Several chants are heard inside of Titan Gym, some of which are choreographed after free throw makes. Banners honoring retired Titan hoopsters as well as national champion teams, along with murals of various student-athletes adorning the walls, definitely adds to the gym’s intimacy. In some ways the layout of the gym resembles that of Cal State Northridge’s Matadome. Despite the size of the venue, it holds sound extremely well and has a rather vibrant atmosphere. The dance team, winners of 14 National Division I Jazz Title’s, is always at peak performance, treating fans to a variety of dance routines to the tunes of various genres. This is quite impressive given their lack of local exposure compared to the more renowned local programs, USC and UCLA. Tuffy, Fullerton’s mascot, is a furry grey elephant voted upon by the students, and is very active throughout the game and in the stands, and is always happy to interact with his fans. The Stampede, the student section is rather sparse and lacks some of the traditional rituals at college basketball games. Also lacking in the section is the presence of student section specific shirts. This section could have used either some blue or orange. Neighborhood 3 The surrounding area around campus has a vast variety of pre and post game dining options, including your standard chains KFC, Panera Bread, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. BIGS Fullerton is probably the best place nearby to pick up some wings. Beyond just the wings, they have weeknight specials as well as all sorts of fried pub food including sweet potato and curly fries. They offer over 40 beers on tap, so it could make for some good times. 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. Cal State Fullerton is a mere 10-15 minute drive from Anaheim so if you’re looking for other entertainment and dining options, downtown Disney is another option. If you don’t plan to pay the mouse a visit, parking for up to 2 hours is free, 4 hours with validation from local venues. Fans 3 As with most athletic programs, the fan support is a reflection of the product on the court. Though not filled to capacity, those who are in attendance are very active often making plenty of noise in their attempt to rally behind the home five. Because no seat is far from the action, any kind of unified noise the fans can create will definitely be felt by the players on the court. Access 3 The stadium is just minutes off of the 57, which quickly connects to the 5 and 91 freeways. Unfortunately the gym is not easily identifiable once you arrive on campus, so make sure you have some time to walk the campus and find it. CSUF is easily accessible from several major streets, however, you may want to do a quick online search before heading out as construction is being performed in several areas, particularly on State College Blvd south of campus. Parking for Titan Gym events are available on a “Park and Pay” basis for $2 an hour, with daily permits for $8. However, if the game you are attending is a weekend game, you may be in luck with some free parking. There is only one main concourse accessible to fans inside the main entrance. Fans wanting to access the concourse or seats will be walking behind the baskets or along the sidelines behind the courtside seats. Fans are permitted to walk outside the concourse to purchase concessions as well as stretch and walk around so long as they maintain their ticket stub. The restrooms are rather small, but with the size of the venue, fans are unlikely to experience any backups. The stalls actually have foot pedal flush values, something you don’t see every day. Return on Investment 3 Season ticket packages for men’s basketball are available for $468 for courtside seats and $168 for reserved sideline seats. Each season ticket package includes a per-seat donation to the basketball program. Otherwise, courtside seating is $40, reserved seating with chair backs along the sidelines are $13, general admission bleacher seating behind the baskets are $10, $8 for seniors 65 and older and $6 for children 6 and younger. All of these are reasonable prices for Division-I college basketball. Most seats are extremely close to the action, with sideline seats only 8 rows and general admission seats 15 rows deep so you’ll get a relatively good vantage point regardless of your seat. Extras 3 In the lobby of the gym, you’ll find the Titan Hall of Fame. Plaques commemorating the great athletes that contributed to the Fullerton program are recognized. Greg Bunch and Leon Wood are the two men’s basketball players that are honored here. Along the north side rafters, fans can spot the retired numbers of former Fullerton basketball numbers. These include Bruce Bowen (25), Cedric Ceballos (31), Greg Bunch (30), Leon Wood (20), Josh Akognon (1), Scott Cutley (2) and Rodney Anderson (4). Along the rafters on the south sidelines fans can spot the national title banners won from all of Fullerton’s athletic programs. Of course, when Tuffy isn’t busy hexing the visiting team he is roaming the stands always happy for photo opportunities with fans during breaks in the action. Final Thoughts The CSUF Titans are known nationwide for their dominant baseball program, who play at Goodwin Field, but their basketball program is worth checking out. The gym offers an intimate feel with no seat being far from the action. CSU Fullerton has produced some quality NBA players and perhaps eventually the basketball program may be that so-called Cinderella team that dances in March. Be sure to take some time to walk this beautiful campus, as well as the neighborhood before setting foot in the gym. Once inside, don’t be fooled by the small gymnasium as once the game starts, it has a rather big campus feel. Follow me @ good_drei on Twitter and Instagram for other pictures and happenings in L.A. and SoCal.

Photos Courtesy of Golden Eagles Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Hooper Eblen Center 1100 McGee Blvd Cookeville, TN 38501 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles website Hooper Eblen Center website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 9,282 Golden Eagles Soar at “The Hoop” Tennessee Tech University (TTU) is a 12,000-student state university located in Cookeville, Tennessee. Founded in 1915, it does put a major emphasis on engineering and technology-related fields of learning. Its largest majors by enrollment are Mechanical Engineering, Computer Sciences, and Chemical Engineering. However, it does offer degrees in education, liberal arts, agriculture, and nursing, as well. TTU competes in the NCAA Division I level of competition, as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference. The sports teams are known as the Golden Eagles, and the school colors are a very majestic purple and gold combination. Virtually every sign and store in town will incorporate these colors into their architecture in some way. The Golden Eagles basketball program calls the 9,852-seat Hooper Eblen Center its home nest. A majority of locals and students refer to the facility as simply The Hoop. The Hoop has gone through numerous renovations and expansions since being built in 1977. The basketball arena portion of the center is designed in a two-tiered seating arrangement, featuring cushioned chair back seats. It has the third-largest seating capacity in the OVC. The color scheme for the court, the lobby, and the signage are consistent in carrying out the purple and gold colors of the school. Tennessee Tech has made two NCAA tournament appearances, in 1958 and 1963. They appeared in the NIT in both 1985 and 2002. In addition to basketball, the Eblen Center also houses the volleyball program, two indoor tennis courts, and a student fitness center featuring handball courts, a pool, and a weight room. The Center also serves as the campus concert venue and hosts graduation ceremonies in the event of inclement weather. Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage stands are numerous and are well-placed throughout the external concourse. Each stand has two TV monitors showing the game's action, and the play-by-play feed by the team’s radio announcer is piped into the area so you will not miss anything. The student section, known as the Eagle’s Nest, has its concession area inside the arena area. The Hoop features Pepsi products, with all soft drinks priced at $3. A small coffee goes for $2 and a large coffee is $3. The food offerings are fairly broad and are priced well. A sampling of the items available includes pan pizza ($5), cheese bread ($4), hot dogs ($3), nachos ($3), popcorn ($3), and chips ($1). Atmosphere 5 When you step into The Hoop’s inner court area, you will be struck by two things: 1) This does not look like an arena constructed nearly 40 years ago, and 2) it is a truly impressive facility for a mid-major conference. The athletic administration has done an admirable job in updating the facility to keep pace with, and in most cases, exceed its fellow OVC schools. The first thing to catch your eye will be the scoreboard, which provides a 360-degree view of the action on its video screens in HD. The graphics and images on the screen are crystal-clear. The school limits the advertising on these screens, preferring to focus on the game action, fan participation activities, and upcoming athletic events. The colors permeating the arena are also visually appealing. The seating areas are black, which makes the gold and purple of everything else pop out. There is a huge Golden Eagle at midcourt and the school name on the borders of the baselines. The basketball program does a great job of keeping the fans entertained throughout the game and also during breaks in the action. Timeouts usually feature a fan participation game, recognition of a special student, or a performance by the cheer squad and dance teams. During the half, the team stats are shown, as well as highlights from the first half. The seating area is extremely well designed, as there is truly not a bad seat in the house. No bleacher seating here… all comfortable, cushioned seats. The inner concourse allows people to navigate around the facility with relative ease. Tennessee Tech has “engineered” a very impressive fan experience… win or lose. Neighborhood 4 The Hoop is located on the Tennessee Tech campus, which is adjacent to both the historic downtown area of Cookeville and the Westside District. The downtown area has a thriving retail district and is well-known as a regional antiquing center. A majority of the entertainment and dining hot spots are located in the Westside Cultural District. Some of the more popular eateries in town are Crawdaddy’s, Blue Coast Burrito, and Mauricio’s. After your meal, make sure you stop by the Cream City Ice Cream Shop for some very unique flavor choices. A majority of the lodging options are found at exit 287 of I-40, which is just five miles from the campus. The hotels fall within the moderate/discount cost range, so it is very affordable for families. Fans 4 Cookeville finds itself halfway between the major market of Nashville and all of its professional and college sports to the west and the Vol Nation to its east in Knoxville. That does not mean that its fans do not share the same passion as its neighbors. We first need to recognize the student body at TTU, who fill one end of the court in their designated Eagle’s Nest seating area. Most of the time they are on their feet, and they are loud. The next set of fans is the alums, who attend the game in large numbers. They are easy to find in their gold and purple attire. The townspeople of Cookeville, whether they attended TTU or not, see the Golden Eagles as “their team” and form a large contingent of the audience. It is an hour or more, through some major traffic, to see a sporting event elsewhere. TTU also is preparing the next generation of Golden Eagles through its Hoop Troop program aimed at youth, who for a very low price get season tickets, a t-shirt, and perks like serving as ball boys or participating in some on-court activities. Tennessee Tech does a masterful job of stirring up its fans through coordination between its cheer squad, dance team, and the IT team running the electronics. A simple cheer of DEFENSE reaches a whole new level when the scoreboard/sideboards, the cheer/dance squads and the fans all come together in a choreographed way. Access 4 Getting to Tennessee Tech is very easy via I-40, the main east-west interstate in Tennessee. It is located off the Cookeville exit (exit # 286). You will then head north into Cookeville, following the numerous Tennessee Tech University directional signs. Once on campus, you cannot miss the Eblen Center, as it will be the first building on your left as you enter through the main gate. Free parking is available immediately in front of “The Hoop” in the athletics parking lot. The nearest airports to Cookeville are Nashville International Airport (located 79 miles west of TTU) and Tyson-McGhee Airport in Knoxville (100 miles east of TTU). Once inside the Eblen Center, you will find its design to be very fan friendly. The closest entry from the parking area is through the lobby located at the front of the building. It is quite spacious and several gate personnel will be available to guide you to your seats. The lobby also features ticket purchase windows, as well as trophy cases filled with awards earned by the various Golden Eagle teams. The concourse encircling the outside of the court area is wide and provides frequent concessions stands, and restrooms. You should not encounter any long lines as a result. Once inside the arena, you will be pleasantly surprised to find very comfortable seating, as Tennessee Tech seats are wider than those found in most arenas and they also provide excellent legroom. Return on Investment 5 Tennessee Tech provides an excellent return on investment for a family. Tickets are $8, with discounts available to students and members of the Hoop Troop. Prices at the concession stands are very reasonable and the parking is free. The athletic department often schedules doubleheaders, with the women’s team playing the early game and the men’s game as the nightcap. So your $8.00 allows you to see two games for the price of one. Historically the women’s teams at TTU have been a powerhouse, going to many more NCAA tournaments and OVC championships than the men’s teams. Extras 3 The scoreboard at Tennessee Tech far exceeds anything you would expect to see at a mid-major school The Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame salutes the Golden Eagles of the past with displays throughout the outer concourse. One of the more unique offerings at a traditional engineering school is the Appalachian Center for Craft. This facility uses technology to create art in such media as glass, ceramics, metal, and wood.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ford Center 5600 Division St. Evansville, IN 47715 Ford Center website Evansville Purple Aces website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 10,000 It’s All Aces in Evansville The Ford Center in downtown Evansville, Indiana has been to the home to the University of Evansville men’s’ basketball program since 2010. The construction of the $127.5 million facility helped bring the university into the 21st century replacing the 54-year-old. The venue hopes to be the centerpiece of entertainment for the city incorporating a gorgeous design that is both modern and contemporary. The facility holds 8,930 spectators for basketball games and features 21 suites that can accommodate a wide range of individuals, curved spaces that offer wide open window scenes to the downtown area, and every seat is padded for comfort. It is the type of venue the city has been searching for and very impressive for a basketball team in the Missouri Valley Conference. Food & Beverage 3 There are various concession areas throughout the main concourse that offers hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken tenders, pizza, mini corn dogs, French fries, popcorn, pretzels, and nachos. The prices are reasonable, and there is something for everyone. The more unique options are highlighted by chipotle cheddar burgers, loaded nachos with chicken or beef, pork tenderloin sandwiches, and grilled chicken sandwiches. The nachos are big enough to share for two and are a bargain at $8. If you are with the kids, they will enjoy chicken tender baskets and Dippin’ Dots ice cream. Bud and Bud Light cans sell for $7.25 a can and local Carson’s Red Dawn and Tin Man Rivet are on tap for $8. Wine and well drinks are also available costing between $7.25-$8. Atmosphere 3 There is a large contingency that attends games throughout the season. The arena is a modern facility that would look beautiful and stunning in most major downtown locations. It does not have a lot of history or character, but it’s a beautiful place to watch a basketball game and when you’re surrounded by thousands of screaming fans, it’s easy to get into the game. For these reasons, the atmosphere borderlines on good to great. There are two levels of seats inside the Ford Center, but the majority of the seating upstairs is closed off by a black tarp. The bottom section on one side is wide open and features a party area that serves alcohol. The arena feels like a hockey facility that also incorporates basketball, but there are still some great views and angles inside and outside of the court. The main halls outside of the playing area may remind many of the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, where open concept windows, arched wooden paneling, and modern design add a special ambiance. However, there seems to be a lot of empty space inside the arena that seems wasted. For example, the majority of fans convene in about half of the concession area and are not spread out all around the concourse where there could be more food options set up. There is a lot of room for portable stands, merchandise tables, and information kiosks that could add a lot of potential to this arena. Neighborhood 3 The Ford Center is in a nice part of downtown that appears to be up and coming. Fans walking the streets before and after the game are within a stone’s throw away from the Backstage Bar and Grill, Milano Italian Cuisine, and the Children’s Museum. Less than two miles away is Franklin Street which offers a few additional great restaurants including Lamasco Bar, Gerst Haus, and on Saturdays from late June to September the Franklin Street Bazaar. Tin Man and Carson’s Brewery are two great places for craft beer, especially Carson’s where one can sample 25 different beers including Vanilla Cow, Sweet Leaf, and Red Hot Harlot, cinnamon-infused honey blonde ale. Tami will serve you quite well in the tasting room. There are plenty of lodging options in Evansville. They include the Fairfield Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, and Baymont Inn & Suites. The only decision is price and location, but you’re sure to find a nice price somewhere in town. Fans 4 Everybody loves a winner and when the Aces are winning the fans come out in masses. Everywhere you look around the arena there are fans sporting the colors of purple and orange. You can also hear the decibel levels reach outstanding proportions based on the number of buckets scored by the home team. They really enjoy a winning team and when they play inside a beautiful arena, you’re going to have some loud and passionate fans. Access 4 Being a downtown location you would think it would be difficult to find a parking spot. However, that is not the case for the Ford Center. There is free parking a couple blocks away from the arena in vast lots. Many locals complain about the distance, but the walk does not seem to be that much of a problem. Inside the arena, there are plenty of restrooms that serve both men, women, and families. Return on Investment 3 The tickets are reasonable for most basketball games played at the Ford Center. One could grab a ticket for as low as $15 or as high as $45. It all depends on how much you want to spend for a college basketball game. When you include free parking and affordable concession prices, you have a pretty good deal. Extras 3 The arena has all the bells and whistles of a modern 21st-century sports and entertainment facility. The fans are incredibly loud inside the facility. It might just be the acoustics inside the building, but the cacophony from the 6,000 or so in attendance is ear piercing In the main lobby, there is a very nice display of Aces history that includes the five Division II championships won by the team between 1959 and 1971 under legendary coach Arad McCutchan, along with famous alumni including Jerry Sloan. There is also a memorial to the 1977 Air Indiana Flight 216 crash that killed 24 members of the basketball team. Final Thoughts What I enjoy most about the Ford Center is that the modern, sleek, and state of art facility is perfect for the city. It does not try to be something it’s not. It’s a great entertainment option for southwest Indiana and should be home for Purple Aces basketball for many more decades. It’s definitely an eye-catching facility, and being able to take in a game at affordable prices with free parking makes this a great option.

Photo Courtesy of Murray State University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 CFSB Center 1401 State Route 121 North Murray, KY 42071 Murray State Racers website CFSB Center website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 8,602 A Hidden Gem in Basketball’s Heartland It’s hard to deny the state of Kentucky’s richness when it comes to college basketball, and Murray State's CFSB Center shouldn’t be lost in the shuffle. It’s tucked away near the Tennessee border, and is absolutely worth the scenic drive to witness a game. Completed in 1998, the Racers have enjoyed a distinct home-court advantage in this venue for nearly 20 years. It embodies everything that mid-major basketball is all about, which is passionate fans to go along with a loud atmosphere. The building itself is impressive for a program out of the Ohio Valley Conference, and the interior has the perfect layout for its capacity crowd of over 8,000. The Murray State basketball program usually gets lost among the more traditional Kentucky powerhouses like the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats. Once you get past those two elite programs, Murray State makes a great case for the being next in line. If there’s a big conference matchup on the docket, or an in-state rival, then you better expect a packed house at CFSB Center. Food & Beverage 4 There is more than the just ordinary offered at the concession stands, which is always nice to see at smaller venues. Drinks are all fairly priced at $3, with choices including bottled water, Pepsi products, and even Starbucks coffee. You can also indulge yourself with “bottomless” soda for $7. As for the food, there are several options that go beyond the usual. You have your classic hot dog for only $3, and add chili and cheese for 50 cents more. You can go with a bratwurst for $3.50. You can get the classic soft pretzel for $5. The lower priced items include a box of popcorn ($2.50) and wide variety of candy ($1.50). The cinnamon bites, which are offered by Culver’s restaurant, are $4.50 and an interesting alternative. There are also a couple separate food and beverage carts with nachos and lemonade. All of the choices are great and anyone should be able to find something they can enjoy. The only qualm is that the concession stand ran out of hot dogs right before tip-off during my most recent visit, so there was a delay to having more available. Atmosphere 5 This experience lives up to the hype of experiencing some excellent mid-major basketball in a basketball-rich state like Kentucky. You instantly feel the intimidation that the home crowd can generate in this building. It almost has a vertical feel to it, putting the fans right on top of the court. I certainly witnessed how loud this place can get, and it wasn’t even at capacity during my visit. There really isn’t a bad view of the court no matter where you sit. However, the television cameras can block your sight line if you’re sitting too far towards the front in the upper bleachers. Since it is general admission seating up top, you shouldn’t have a problem moving to another seat to get a better view. Perhaps the best view is from the concourse area, if you don’t mind standing. The lower sections have chair back seats, while the upper sections are bleachers. You get to see all of the banners hanging from the rafters, and the CFSB Center has a lot of them. There are several retired numbers and championship banners spanning back to nearly a century ago. It reminds you that you’re seeing a program with a lot of history and tradition. Neighborhood 3 You have to realize that Murray is located in a rural part of the country where you can drive 20-plus miles between towns. The city of Murray has plenty of fast food dining options, but not much after that. There are a few casual dining restaurants available, and most of them are located near the CFSB Center. Your best bet to try something new would be Tumbleweed Tex Mex Grill and Margarita Bar. It’s within walking distance of the CFSB Center exits. In terms of bars or nightlife, there isn’t anything noticeable in the immediate area. Additionally, there is an Applebee’s nearby to the arena. This is a gorgeous part of the country when it comes to national parks and other outdoor activities. If you like doing things in nature, then check out Land Between the Lakes. It’s a massive recreational area that offers boating, walking trails, camping, and wildlife. It is a pretty decent drive away from any major cities, with Paducah being the closest at approximately 45 miles, and Nashville being over 100 miles. Fans 5 You would have to be wearing some serious blinders not to notice the extreme passion that Murray State fans bring with them to support their Racers. The home fans always cheer for a made basket, but these particular fans are alert and make their presence known on a whole other level. Virtually every fan is wildly into the game from start to finish. The building is also small enough to voice your displeasure to the referees, and there are several fans who take on the role of heckling them. The majority of the fans stay for the whole game, or at least until less than two minutes to go when the game is out of reach. They are loyal and create a lot of momentum when the Racers make their runs. Additionally, they are friendly and welcoming to visitors. Access 2 There’s no easy or direct way to get to Murray. It’s not located off of any interstates, meaning you have to use state highways for a good 30-40 miles, depending on which direction you’re coming from. If you’re coming from the Nashville area, then I recommend coming down Interstate 24, leaving you with a few state highways to make the rest of your journey. You can use Interstate 40 if coming from the West, and then go North on Highway 641. Just be prepared to use some highways that don’t have a lot of gas stations, so plan accordingly as this area can get desolate. As a first-time visitor, it is somewhat confusing on where to park. The construction surrounding the area in 2016 makes it even more confusing, but there are helpful staff that direct fans to park next to the football stadium. There are two sets of restrooms in the lone concourse area, and they are kept very clean with plenty of space. Return on Investment 5 You can’t beat the bargain of attending a game at CFSB Center. The product on the court really helps this score, and you can’t ever argue with free parking. The concession prices are less than expected, further helping the overall return on investment. Ticket prices basically come in two forms; general admission is a mere $10, with reserved seating in the lower bowl at $16. It’s a great value for some quality mid-major basketball. You can take the family out for an enjoyable evening at a very fair price. Extras 3 The hospitality of the fans and staff is an excellent bonus. You shouldn’t worry about bringing the family to an event here as the environment is family friendly, presented by a courteous staff. I wasn’t sure what the attendance would be on a weeknight for a team that isn’t performing at its usual high level. Despite the circumstances, the fans showed up in impressive numbers and supplied a strong home-court advantage. There were multiple occasions when the fans literally had the place at a deafening level, and that earns them an extra. Another extra goes to the quality of the band. They are involved in the game with chants, while playing some great tunes to feed into the college basketball atmosphere. Final Thoughts It is a very positive experience at CFSB Center that may exceed your expectations. You should certainly plan a visit if your team has an upcoming game here, or if you’re just in the area and enjoy seeing high quality basketball in an intimate college basketball arena like CFSB Center. Just plan accordingly as CFSB Center is nestled away in the rural area of southern Kentucky.

Photos by Steven Burke, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 CEFCU Arena 702 W College Ave Normal, IL 61761 Illinois State Redbirds website CEFCU Arena website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 10,200 Where the Redbirds Fly The Missouri Valley Conference is synonymous with college basketball, and while not one of the more well-known programs in the venerable conference, the Illinois State Redbirds provide a great game experience in central Illinois. Opened in 1989, Redbird Arena is a 10,200-seat facility on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Redbird Arena is also home to the ISU women’s basketball team as well as the women’s volleyball team. Note: In Nov 2022, the arena name changed from Redbird Arena to CEFCU Arena as part of a naming rights and sponsor agreement with the credit union. Food & Beverage 3 Redbird Arena has the usual items in reference to food and beverages. The concourse is lined with permanent concessions stands all featuring the same basic items such as hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, polish sausages, candy, and soft drinks. Prices range from $3-$4 for entrees, $2-$4 for candy and snacks, and $3-$5 for beverages. The inside of the concourse has several free-standing specialty options. A Mexican inspired stand serves nachos and walking tacos ranging $5-$7, the Papa John’s stand serves individual pizzas all costing $7 with choices of cheese, sausage, and pepperoni. All of the permanent concession stands on the concourse accept cash or credit cards, while all the specialty stands only accept cash so plan accordingly. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at Redbird Arena has improved in recent seasons as one of the great players in Redbird history, Dan Muller, has returned as head coach and reinvigorated the fan base. A renewed interest from fans along with aesthetic upgrades has kept Redbird Arena competitive with other mid-major venues. The die-hard basketball fans are rewarded with an upgraded video scoreboard above center-court along with new ribbon boards spanning the upper deck facade along both baselines. The ribbon boards track individual player stats while the center-court scoreboard keeps track of the points, game clock, and team statistics. For families attending games, a variety of contests during team and media timeouts keep the crowd excited and involved. Overall Illinois State does a great job creating an atmosphere that is welcoming to all in a town where the Redbirds are the highest level of entertainment. Neighborhood 3 Redbird Arena is located on College Street in an area of campus that houses many of the ISU athletic facilities, providing a real sense of being on a college campus. As for the neighborhood, it mostly consists of a mixture of university buildings. However, in the Bloomington-Normal area, you are never far from retail or food and beverage options. Many chain options are available in the immediate area and you will drive past most of them on your way into town. A few popular destinations in the area that aren’t of the chain variety include Avanti’s, Schooners, and Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works. Avanti’s is an Italian restaurant, while Schooners is a sports bar. Schooners is famous for itdeep-frieded pork tenderloin sandwich, which is so large that they ask you how many buns you would like with it. Destihl has become fairly well known in Illinois in recent years for their beers including their wild sour series. Fans 4 The student section at Redbird games is pretty lively, many students are dressed in crazy costumes and carrying giant cutout heads of the players and coaches that have become so popular in recent years in college basketball. The student section is located behind one of the baselines as is customary in many college basketball settings and they do their part to rattle the visiting team. The students create an intense raucous atmosphere, and are into the action on the court the entire game. The students are located right next to the pep band and the two seem to do a good job feeding off of each other to create a great college basketball environment. The Redbirds also seem to have a dedicated group of fans from the community. Some are no doubt alumni, but others are just fans of the game. In this area of central Illinois entertainment choices can be limited and that appears to work to the benefit of Redbird basketball as they are the main show in town. Access 4 Parking in the vicinity of Redbird Arena is plentiful and affordable with some lots even being free. While you may have to walk a few blocks from one of the free lots, you can’t beat the price. The school does offer free parking with shuttle service from lots near the ISU golf course as well. While leaving the area around Redbird Arena is generally quick and easy, larger crowds can create a small traffic jam while leaving. Remain patient however as attendants do a good job of directing traffic while vehicles are leaving. Return on Investment 5 The Redbirds host some high quality opponents in the Missouri Valley Conference and offer a great return on investment. Lower level tickets range from $22-$25 depending on the opponent and all lower level seats provide an excellent view of the action. Upper level tickets range from $9-$14 for adults and $6-$9 for children under the age of 12. While all of the seats in the upper level have a great view of the court there are some issues with viewing the new ribbon boards. If you are an intense follower of the action on the court and keep an eye on individual player statistics such as points and fouls be aware when choosing a seat in the upper level. The new video board above center court obscures your view of the ribbon board if you are seated behind either baseline. If seeing these statistics are important to your enjoyment of the game look for a ticket in the lower bowl or on the sides of the upper bowl. Extras 3 An extra point for the school and their understanding of the community involvement in athletics. Recently the school worked out a deal with Heartland Community College, allowing Heartland students to attend Redbird basketball games at a discounted ticket price. Heartland, which doesn’t have a basketball program, has many students from the local area that grew up Redbird fans and this agreement allows them to enjoy the games at an affordable cost. The agreement also allows the Redbirds to sell more tickets and connect with the community so it is truly a win-win situation. Another extra point for the school keeping their connection with former #1 draft pick and the greatest player in program history, Doug Collins. The Redbirds play on Doug Collins Court and there is a statue outside Redbird Arena featuring Collins and his coach, Will Robinson. All programs need to know and celebrate their history while looking to the future. One last extra point for the unique Teflon roof of Redbird Arena, it provides unique lighting for games and also separates the interior of the building from some other sterile arena interiors.

Municipal Auditorium Exterior, Photo by Cory Sims, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Municipal Auditorium 301 W 13th St Kansas City, MO 64105 UMKC Kangaroos website Municipal Auditorium website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 7,300 The Muni and The Mob Editors Note: Since 2019, the Roo’s have played in the on-campus Swinney Recreation Center and no longer use Municipal Auditorium for basketball. --- Opened in 1935, Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri is one of the architecturally coolest sports venues in the country. Built in a ‘streamlined modern’ style, The Muni was championed, in part, by local political boss Tom Pendergast, infamous for the power he held in Depression-era KC, and his ties to organized crime. The Muni was built to show that Kansas CIty was an up and coming city, the Paris of the Plains, and it succeeded, being named one of the ’10 best buildings of the world’ for 1935 by the Architectural Record, and one of the 500 most important architectural works in the United States by the Princeton Architectural Press. Inside, The Muni retains all of its retro charm, with patterned-tile floors, and art-deco lighting and decorative pieces. It’s not hard to picture pin-striped gangster types walking through the halls prior to the start of a major jazz concert. Unfortunately, when it comes to UMKC basketball, the venue itself outshines about everything else. The 7,300 person capacity is maybe 10% full, and the on-court action is disappointing. However, it is worth attending at least one event at The Muni, if for no other reason than you’re sure to walk out of the building with a little old-time gangster swagger. Food & Beverage 2 There is food at The Muni, but I wouldn’t advise you to waste your money. If you really feel like overpaying for Papa John’s Pizza, you can buy a personal pan for $7.50. They also sell hot dogs, pretzels, and nachos for a couple bucks less than what I would consider normal stadium prices. Pepsi products are available, as well as a couple domestic and local draft beers. Have a beer here, then after the game have a couple more drinks and some late-night eats over at the Power and Light District. Atmosphere 3 The venue itself is awesome, particularly inside the arena area. The details in the ceiling design point back to a time when real craftsmanship was valued over flash and sizzle. There are no bleachers in the building, only cushioned seats, which further prove the history of this being a multi-use venue, and not just a “pack-em-in” sports stadium. The UMKC band, appropriately nicknamed “The Mob,” plays a decent rendition of “I’m Going to Kansas City,” a local favorite about the pretty ladies found in KC’s old jazz clubs. Neighborhood 4 In the heart of downtown KCMO, Municipal Auditorium is within walking distance of just about anything you’d want to visit in the area. Connected via walkways with the H. Roe Bartle Convention Center, less than a block from several great hotels like the downtown Marriott and Hilton President, and only two blocks from nightlife and restaurants, the arena is right in the middle of all the action downtown. A few blocks east is the Sprint Center, a 20,000-seat sports and music venue that is the younger big brother to Municipal Auditorium. Between the two is the Power and Light District and the KC Live stage, a city block chock full of of bars, restaurants, and clubs that are especially well-received by out of towners (that is to say, KC residents don’t typically spend much time there). Ten years ago downtown KC was dead after business hours, but since the Sprint Center was built and “P&L” opened, it really has become a destination for music and sports fans, especially during the Big 12 Basketball tournaments held at the Sprint Center, and the NAIA National Championship, held at Municipal Auditorium. Fans 2 UMKC tries to brand itself as KC’s team, but most sports fans in the area already claim allegiance to KU, K-State, or Mizzou, with only a few UMKC grads who really follow the Roos. At least two people who sat directly in front of me were parents of players. I think it’s safe to say a disproportionate number of the fans in attendance are relatives. The loudest fans seem more interested in heckling the refs than cheering for the Kangaroos. Now that the Roos play in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), I think very few away fans ever attend games. Access 3 Parking downtown during the day is a beast, but street parking is free in the evenings, and there are plenty of spots within a block of Municipal. The P&L District also offers $2 parking, provided you tell them you are visiting a P&L restaurant or bar. Tickets to the Kangaroos will not sell out, and can be bought at the ticket window just inside Municipal Auditorium. Don’t pay more than $10, as a general admission ticket is more of a cover charge and there’s no one stopping you from sitting anywhere you like. I walked in at court level, took some pictures just at the corner of the court, and walked up to a seat about 8 rows off the floor without any ushers checking for tickets. Return on Investment 2 It’s a cheap ticket for Division I hoops, with below average concession prices, and (possibly) free parking, but you’ll get what you pay for. I like to think that my money was more for a venue tour, and there happened to be a basketball game going on, with the added perk of some jazz music playing during timeouts. A Boulevard brewery draft from the concession stand adds a nice local touch. Extras 2 The Kangaroos is an amazing nickname, although the next time I see a Kangaroo hopping around KC will be the first time. The mascot is named, of course, Kacey the Kangaroo. Interesting fact; the original Kacey the Kangaroo was drawn by a famous artist who grew up in the area. You’ve no doubt heard of him before, Mr. Walt Disney. Final Thoughts Municipal Auditorium is one of the most historic homes for basketball in the country, even eight decades since it opened. If you have a chance to see a hoops game here, you’ll be glad you made the journey.

Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Centre 200 481 George St. Sydney, NS B1P 6R7 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles website Centre 200 website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 5,000 The Centre of Cape Breton Centre 200 is named in honour of the 200th anniversary of the founding of Sydney. The arena opened in 1987, as the home of the Cape Breton Oilers of the American Hockey League (AHL). In their nine seasons in Sydney, the Oilers won the Calder Cup once (1993) before moving to Hamilton, Ontario; this was around the same time all AHL teams moved out of the Maritimes. That franchise is now the St. John’s Ice Caps. Hockey returned to Sydney when the Granby Predateurs moved prior to the 1997-98 season. The Screaming Eagles have won their division once and have reached the conference finals twice, but have not advanced further. Marc-Andre Fleury is celebrated as one of the greatest former Eagles players. His #29 jersey hangs in the rafters. Food & Beverage 3 Most concession stands in Centre 200 are located at one end of the arena in a large, open atrium with a high ceiling. The arena offers a basic array of food and drink options. Concessions are well organized with clear signage and with stanchions to avoid congestion at intermission. Quality of food is as expected at a stadium. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $2.75 for a hot dog, up to $5.75 for poutine. Other concessions offer snacks or cafe items. For vegetarians, your options for a high protein meal are non-existent. To quench your thirst, Pepsi products from the fountain or bottle are available. A small variety of Molson and Coors beer are sold by the can. Be sure to bring cash as concessions do not accept credit cards. Two ATM's are available on the concourse. Vendors do not walk the aisle, so you will need to visit a concession stand for a desired item. Overall, the concessions are well maintained and clean, with enough food and drink options to satisfy your cravings. Atmosphere 4 The game day atmosphere inside Centre 200 is exciting for the hockey enthusiast, however the exterior atmosphere is car-dependent and underwhelming. The arena is connected to a casino with bright lights, a well-designed parking area, and sidewalks for the pedestrians. In contrast, the arena's window wall entrance is basic, with poor pedestrian connectivity to the adjacent businesses, major streets, and parking areas. The arena is built with an appropriate symmetry and rhythm of brick, concrete, and glass on the bottom, and corrugated metal siding above. At the right angle, a fan can look through the glass and see the interior seating bowl, which adds to the anticipation of entering the arena. The brightness and openness inside the arena sends a chill of excitement for the event. The concourse runs around the rink with continuous views of the game. The lower seating bowl offers great viewing angles to catch all the action without fans in front obstructing the view. The rink is surrounded by eleven rows of seats except for seven rows at one of the ends. An upper level is located on one side of the rink. It consists of 15 rows with good viewing angles. However, avoid seats in the first two rows (row L & M) due to a railing obstructing the view, and the last five rows (V thru Z) because of poor sound quality and the inability to see the scoreboard. The blue plastic seats are in good shape but with no cup holders. Skyboxes are located on the opposite side of the rink and separate from the main concourse. The four-sided scoreboard hanging from centre ice is small and simple with a good video display. In-game promotions and entertainment is kept simple. Young kids get the chance to play hockey at the intermission to the delight of the crowd. The mascot, Screech, is seen during player introductions and seemingly disappears for the rest of the game. Arena acoustics are fairly poor, as sound from the PA announcer echos around the building. A simple, eclectic mix of music from classic maritime to the classic jock rock songs plays between whistles. Neighborhood 3 Sydney was a booming city back during the two World Wars as the local steel mills were vital to the success of the allied forces. Since then, the economy has been depressed. The steel mills have closed and the population has decreased significantly. Much of the downtown core is still stuck in the past, with out-of-date storefronts and vacant lots. However, a significant effort has made the waterfront a tourist destination. A boardwalk along the Sydney River provides a peaceful walk away from car traffic. The North End neighborhood of Sydney is a pleasant area to explore. Historic houses and churches line the streets dating back to the late 1700s. Centre 200 is located just off George Street, a major thoroughfare of the city, on the fringe of downtown Sydney. Though it is possible to walk from downtown to the arena, the pedestrian access is poor and dangerous, especially at night. George Street is lined with commercial areas including a few bars and restaurants. For lodging, the Cambridge Suites and Holiday Inn are located a few blocks away along the waterfront. For a good dining experience, head to the Governor's Pub & Eatery. Located in the home of Sydney's first mayor, it specializes in home cooked meals and fresh seafood. Fans 4 Screaming Eagle fans are some of the most knowledgeable and attentive fans in the QMJHL. The first seven years saw large crowds at Centre 200, with an average of around 67% of capacity. However, average attendance has steadily declined. Lately, Screaming Eagle games average just under 50% capacity. Fans are fairly quiet throughout the game, but let their feelings be known for good shifts by the home team or questionable calls by the referee. Even without ushers, fans know not to move to or from their seat during play. Overall, the fans are passionate in a unique way. Instead of yelling loudly, they concentrate on the plays and are respectful throughout the game's ups and downs. Access 4 Direct flights to Sydney are available from Toronto and Halifax. A road trip from Halifax takes a scenic 4 1/2 hours. This small city has a population of around 32,000, so the arena is convenient from everywhere in town. To arrive by foot requires a 10-15 minute walk from the downtown core. However, almost everyone drives or takes a taxi. Plenty of free parking spaces are available behind the arena. A CBRM Transit stop is located in front of the arena along George Street and connects Sydney with Cape Breton University, Glace Bay, along with other surrounding communities. A ticket cost $1.75 for a local ride or $3.25 from outlying areas. The main entry is clearly marked by a large illuminated "Centre 200" sign along a two-story window wall. Inside the atrium is the box office and will call. A second entrance is located on the opposite side of the rink. Once doors open, access around the arena is simple and straightforward. The concourse is open to the seating bowl with plenty of room to either walk around or relax during intermission. There are plenty of table seating areas or lounge around with friends in the artistic Adirondack chairs. The arena has plenty of restrooms throughout the concourse. Even during intermission, none of them has a line outside the door. Getting to your seat should not be a problem. With the open concourse, it is easy to see the section numbers, and visualize a route to get there. Very few ushers are available to help if you do happen to get lost. A few security personnel are around, but are not approachable, as most are focused on the game or their cell phone. Patrons in wheelchairs have only three sections to choose from. Unfortunately, all three are located at corners of the rink. Return on Investment 5 Prices for individual game tickets are reasonable for witnessing the highest level of junior hockey. Tickets are $16.75 for an adult, with discounts for seniors, youth, and children. Screaming Eagles offer a "build your own" half season ticket pack for those who can't make every home game. Family packs called "4 for $44" are offered on Sunday day games and includes a postgame skate on the ice. Birthday packages are available for a group of eight or more, including a birthday mention on the video board. The openness of the arena, along with reasonable prices and great viewing angles, help create a memorable overall experience for the fans. Centre 200 checks all of those boxes. Extras 4 +1 for the video booth replaying opponent goals. In-game operators realize that Screaming Eagle fans are also true hockey fans that enjoy seeing great plays, even if the opponent makes that play. +1 for the banners of the arena that celebrate former Screaming Eagles players (Fleury), teams (2003-04 Division Champs), and even the Cape Breton Oilers 1993 Calder Cup championship banner. +1 for Hockey Heritage Hall of Fame. Located in concessions atrium, past local players, referees, and announcers are celebrated with their picture and jersey encased in glass. +1 for the simplicity of the in-game experience. The focus is on the game, not on any theatrics or pyrotechnics. Final Thoughts If you are looking for a place that promotes the action on the ice without all the glitz and glamour you find in many arenas, this is a great venue to see a hockey game. Many arenas are loud, and try too hard to raise the energy of the fans. This becomes distracting and unappealing to the fan and hockey enthusiast. If you enjoy hockey at its purest, a visit to Centre 200 is a must.

Photos by Miles Markiewicz, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Caesars Superdome 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr New Orleans, LA 70112 Sugar Bowl website Caesars Superdome website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 72,003 The Sugar Bowl at the Superdome Note: Sports venue name changed from Mercedes-Benz Superdome to Caesars Superdome July, 2021. There is no greater spectacle in college football than thousands of fans from two schools coming together to play the most important game of the year on a neutral site. It was different last year because for one of the teams, the Allstate Sugar Bowl was the SECOND most important game of the year. It’s one of the many improvements that the College Football Playoff provided in this new era of the game. The great cities of Pasadena and New Orleans were privileged enough to be chosen to host the first “final four” of college football. New Orleans has all of the culture and festivities that make it one of the best destinations in the United States. Located in downtown New Orleans, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is the pride of the sports community. This venue has already hosted Super Bowls, NCAA Tournament Final Fours and BCS National Championship games. You will feel something special in the air walking from the French Quarter to the Superdome to the beat of thousands of college football fans competing rival cheers. In the case of the 2015 tilt, the exclamations of “O – H” were met with a response of “ROLL TIDE”. Hopefully, you get to see the Superdome for the first time at night because of the way the colors light up its silver exterior. It’s a beautiful sight next to the skyline of the city and leaves a great first impression. Food & Beverage 4 When the Superdome is not hosting the biggest events in sports, it is home to the New Orleans Saints. All of the NFL amenities are available upon any visit, including some excellent food and beverage options. If you have the time and the access, Copeland’s on the club level is “A Signature Blend of Hometown New Orleans” that offers some great seafood and jambalaya bowls famous to the area. After that, you can have a drink at the bar at Copeland’s. Rotolo’s Pizzeria is also a good option for some fantastic cheese sticks. There are also great options available at the concessions, but the lines get pretty long and you’ll end up missing some of the game because of the wait time. These items range from $5.50-$10.75 and include nacho fries (recommended), buffalo chicken sliders, and roast beef debris fries. Also authentic to Louisiana are the Po’ Boys. If you don’t catch one of these submarine sandwiches on Bourbon Street, make sure to try one at the stadium. The “specialty” concessions feature BBQ items at around $12 but may be the best food in the stadium. The pigskin Po’ Boy, pulled pork nachos and smoked BBQ wings are all great choices. The best place for adult beverages is Flavors & Flavors Daiquiris to indulge in some fun drink options authentic to the bayou, including the famous hurricane flavor. Other drink options include large draft beers ($9.50), regular soda ($4.75) and bottled water ($4). Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere really begins when the teams make their way onto the field through the tunnels for the official introductions. The noise that is generated under the dome is nothing compared to what is heard on television. For the Sugar Bowl, both sections of fans engage in a battle of their own: who can drown out the other with fight songs and eruptions after touchdowns are scored. Being under the roof creates an environment of escape, where there is nothing but the two teams battling for the College Football National Championship Game appearance and the pride of their school. The video boards are not very impressive because they are not proportionate to the immense size of the facility, so don’t expect to see helpful replays. Any seat in the stadium provides an adequate view of the action, even if you find yourself at the top of the bow of the upper deck. Neighborhood 5 New Orleans is home to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, one of the best areas to have a good time in the entire country. This area alone attracts millions of tourists every year for various events and festivities. The first thing you’ll notice are the large amounts of daiquiri/fried chicken bars located every few feet. Start the night with one of these New Orleans treats and you won’t switch to anything else (unless you’re brave enough to try the hand grenade at Tropical Isles). The most fun you’ll have is grabbing a drink at one of the local hangouts like My Bar @ 635 and making your way to the balcony in true New Orleans style. This is your best chance to get on SportsCenter if you’re in town for the Sugar Bowl (camera crews explore the streets at night looking for some good shots of crazy fans). If you’re in the mood for a brew, check out Huge A** Beers for some of the largest alcohol containers you will ever see. Passing by other fans with these large containers will remind you of why you love Bourbon Street. No trip to New Orleans is complete without a trip to Pat O’Brien’s Bar for the original hurricane. They also have a piano bar, but make sure to get there early because it fills up fast. Harrah’s is a fun time for some blackjack or slots after the game and offers first class service at the hotel for guests in town. Fans 5 Alabama and Ohio State have some of the best fans in college football. When these two fan bases combine their efforts at a game of this magnitude, the result is pure magic. It’s fun to see the student sections counter each other – Alabama with the storm of maroon and white pom-poms, Ohio State with a rendition of jumping and chanting to Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. Once the game begins the tension in the air could put the intensity in the heart of any fan. Every move that was made on the field came with a generous reaction from both sides. A venue like the Superdome creates this interaction between fans because it’s such a great place to watch a game. The facility has so many great moments in sports history and every fan is there to be able to say they witnessed the next one that made its mark – “I was there”. Everybody wants a story. Access 3 Everything in New Orleans is said to be walking distance, but the journey from Bourbon Street will still take about 40 minutes on foot. If you are driving to the game, the traffic is an absolute nightmare and the parking is overpriced ($20-$30). There’s so much congestion on game day that the stadium really isn’t that accessible unless you’re on foot. The Superdome is elevated. You will have to find your gate through massive amounts of people and it can get unsafe if you’re not careful. Arrive early and you shouldn’t have as much of a problem. Once inside the stadium, the concourses are too small to hold the large amount of people and the lines for concessions and restrooms never seem to shorten. You will miss some of the game if you venture to one of these lines. Plan accordingly. Return on Investment 5 It’s no secret that tickets to these big college football games are not cheap, but the Superdome creates a truly unforgettable experience for fans. You’ll never forget the roar of the crowd after your favorite team scores a touchdown or the agonizing feeling of watching the opposing team put six on the scoreboard. There are ways of managing your finances if you decide to throw down the money for a trip to the Superdome. Avoid parking by walking to the stadium, even if you have to spend a night in one of the hotels in the city. Spend your time drinking on Bourbon Street to avoid standing in line for a beer and get a basket of fried chicken before the game to avoid standing in line for food. No matter what you decide to do the experience will be worth it, whether it’s for the Sugar Bowl or a New Orleans Saints game. The atmosphere can’t be beat. Extras 5 One point for the comfortable temperature inside the stadium, especially on a chilly January night. The history of the venue earns another point because you will keep picturing all of the great moments that have happened in the Superdome. A night on Bourbon Street for New Year’s Eve deserves its own story. One more point for watching your alma mater hoist the Sugar Bowl trophy, though I guess this would be a 50-50 shot. Final Thoughts The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is an experience every major sports fan should have, especially if your school is participating in the Sugar Bowl. It will not be a semifinal game for the playoff again until 2018, but this would be the best time to check it out because it is college football at its best. The addition of the French Quarter and Bourbon Street just adds to the excitement. Arrive in town with the appropriate funds and you will have the time of your life.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Nissan Stadium 1 Titans Way Nashville, TN 37213 Music City Bowl website Nissan Stadium website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 69,143 Music City Football, College Style Nissan Stadium opened in 1999, and has hosted the Music City Bowl ever since. The stadium is also home to the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, as well as the FCS Tennessee State Tigers. The stadium is located on the east bank of the Cumberland River, right across the water from downtown Nashville, and has a capacity of 69,143. Besides football, the stadium is also used for concerts, soccer matches, and other events. The Music City Bowl pairs teams from the ACC and SEC, and is currently sponsored by Franklin American Mortgage Company. Food & Beverage 3 Nissan Stadium offers a wide variety of food and beverage options, including plenty of alcohol, but has been criticized for long lines during games. Prices are typical for pro stadium fare, but are more than you would pay at a college football venue. Concession choices include brand names such as Logan’s Roadhouse, Jack Daniels, Papa John’s, and Bojangles, as well as locally-themed restaurants such as Nashgrille and Titan Tavern, plus some generic stands. All of the typical fare is available, such as burgers, chicken sandwiches and tenders, barbecue, hot dogs, and pizza, as well as less common items such as fried shrimp and turkey legs – these items range in cost from $4.50 to $10. You can also find snack items such as nachos, cotton candy, pretzels, funnel cake, fries, and peanuts for around $4 to $6. Drink options include coffee, bottled water, soda from the fountain or in bottles (Coke products), and Gatorade – these cost $4 to $5, except for the souvenir cups, which are a little more. You can also get beer and a wide selection of cocktails, including frozen margaritas, starting at $9. They also sell non-alcoholic beer for $5. Atmosphere 3 The Music City Bowl is one of the more marquee games of the bowl season, and as such, draws a pretty good crowd. In addition, the game is played in a pro stadium, which means a great venue with comfortable seats, good sightlines, and lots of amenities. All of the seats at Nissan stadium are plastic, bucket-style chair backs with cup holders, so they are pretty comfortable. But the best thing about the stadium is the mammoth scoreboards in each zone – each is several stories high, and makes it easy to see replays, even if you are way up in the cheap seats. You will also see numerous Nissan automobiles on angled platforms above the entry gates, as well as in the end zones, and there are plenty of covered tables on the concourses below each scoreboard where you can recline while you dine. And of course you will see plenty of signage from Franklin American Mortgage Company, the bowl’s title sponsor. The entertainment during the Music City Bowl is a little underwhelming. As with most bowl games, you can watch both bands perform during halftime, and each team will do their usual display when they come onto the field before the game, including typical stunts like billowing smoke, running out of a giant inflatable helmet tunnel, and the usual mascot antics. There is also a bomber flyover, crewed by at least one alum from the participating schools. But there are no giveaways to be had, and souvenir stand prices are a little on the high side for items such as Music City Bowl pins, shirts, and hats. Neighborhood 5 Nissan Stadium is within walking distance of downtown Nashville, so there are plenty of great restaurants nearby, and more than enough to do if you come for the weekend, or even a week or more. It is very easy to get downtown via a pedestrian bridge over the river, where you will find plenty of restaurants, including Broadway Brewhouse and Wildhorse Saloon. Broadway Brewhouse has a huge beer selection and a lot of great food you wouldn’t expect from a bar, while Wildhorse Saloon offers live music, dancing, lots of great food and drinks, and a crazy atmosphere, especially after dark. But if you just want a quick snack before or after the game, there is actually a gas station in Nissan Stadium’s parking lot – not the greatest fare from a quality standpoint, but a lot cheaper than what you will pay inside. Nashville offers plenty to do if you want to spend some extra time before or after the game, including mainstays like the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (which actually includes quite a bit from Elvis). However, there are also some other attractions which may not be as well known, but are every bit as worthwhile, such as cruising down the river on the General Jackson Showboat, or visiting the Johnny Cash Museum, Centennial Park, or Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, which is actually a working cotton farm – you can even pick some as a souvenir. There are too many hotels to mention, but you will find plenty in the downtown area, or further away (closer to the airport) if you are looking to save some green. Getting to and from your hotel will be pretty simple, as the stadium is crisscrossed by a couple of different major freeways. Fans 4 Some teams from the ACC and SEC are closer than others, so depending on who is invited, you may see a little more of one color than the other. But whichever teams show up, the crowd is sure to be intense – you won’t necessarily see a sellout, but the fans will be very loud and very into the game. Nissan Stadium holds nearly seventy thousand at full capacity, and just before kickoff the Music City Bowl will be pretty packed with fans from both sides, perhaps forty or fifty thousand strong. You will see a lot of movement during the game as fans make their way to and from the concession stands and facilities, but there will still be plenty of crowd noise as both sides cheer their team on for the final game of the season. Access 4 Nissan Stadium is easy to get to, since it is located near several freeways, and there is a pedestrian bridge that goes to downtown. There is also a sidewalk on the I-24 overpass that you can use if you park on the same side of the river as the stadium. Parking in the lots right outside the stadium will cost $25, but I never recommend these, because they take too long to get out of after the game. You are probably better off parking on the other side of I-24 (on the east side of the stadium) or near downtown (on the other side of the river, to the west) where you can find spots for $10 or $15 – either of these locales are only a short 5-10 minute walk from the stadium. You may also be able to find free parking along the street in either area. There are entrances on all sides of Nissan Stadium; the ticket office is on the north end if you need will-call or did not purchase tickets in advance. Since there are so many entrances, the lines to get in are not very long, and move very quickly. Be aware that security is a little tighter at pro stadiums than at college venues, so you may have a problem if your bag or purse is too big. There are several ramps dotted around Nissan Stadium that take you to the upper levels, and there are also some pretty massive elevator complexes you can use to make the approximately seven-story climb. In line with the car theme, the elevators have giant pictures of tires marking their locations. Surprisingly, using the elevators is actually a lot quicker than you might think – there are multiple elevators in each bank, so there is rarely a line to get on. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to bowl games can be pretty expensive, especially if you want to sit in the lower level. But if your favorite team is in the game, it is generally worthwhile, depending on how far you have to travel. At the Music City Bowl, tickets in the upper deck start at under $40, including Ticketmaster fees, so you can save a little money by waiting to buy them at the door, which shouldn’t be a problem, as they won’t sell out. Unfortunately, the upper level seats aren’t that great, since they are so high up, and sneaking into a better section is a little hit or miss, at least until late in the game, since they do check tickets in some areas. In fact, they even check tickets before letting fans get on the elevators, which is one reason they don’t have much of a line there. That said, you are better off buying a lower-level ticket, which could be $100 or more. Or you could buy the cheap seats and try to stand on the plaza in one of the end zones. Extras 3 The ridiculously huge video boards are a big plus, and having the cars dotted around the stadium is interesting. Also, the location is very hard to beat, with so many great attractions within walking distance. Final Thoughts Attending the Music City Bowl is a great opportunity to visit Nashville, which would be well worth your time. You are also guaranteed a pretty good match-up between two Power 5 teams, so this is a great bowl game to choose when you are making your holiday football plans. Make sure you plan extra time to take in the sights, and remember to dress warmly for this night game under the lights.

Photo Courtesy UC Santa Barbara Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 UCSB Events Center University of California Santa Barbara Isla Vista, CA 93117 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos website UCSB Events Center website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 5,600 Five Men Enter The UCSB Events Center is so named only as a formality. In every capacity except official, the arena is known as the Thunderdome. The 5,600 seat multi-purpose arena was opened in 1979 and simply called the Campus Events Center. Its fierce reputation didn’t fully take shape until just under a decade later when the team started to see increased success and increasing crowds. In 1987, the team throttled Jim Valvano’s NC State team at home in front of a raucous crowd, and the stadium became known from then on as The Thunderdome. With a nickname like the Thunderdome written across the arena facade, the UCSB Events Center atmosphere had better not disappoint. Fortunately, it doesn’t. UC Santa Barbara itself is a general member of the University of California system and home to over 22,000 students. Located 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 8 miles northwest of Santa Barbara along US 101, the UCSB campus rests on the scenic coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Gauchos compete in the Big West in all sports and are better known for soccer and water polo, although their basketball program has had sustained periods of slight national relevancy. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at the Thunderdome consist of pretty average stadium food, so there’s not a whole lot of spectacular to report here. The variety is decent enough and the hot dogs are much better sized than average (and piping hot). Pricing is definitely reasonable, with nothing on the menu exceeding $5. It’s enough to meet standard expectations and the taste isn’t substandard, so you could do worse at a small school venue. But there’s nothing here to jump out of your seat for. Atmosphere 4 Let’s call this a very pleasant surprise. The atmosphere at the Thunderdome lives up to its name and rivals a lot of much bigger name basketball schools. Right away, the “Thunderdome” lettering above the door surrounded by two giant banners lets you know there is passion and energy ahead of you. And once the Thunderdome starts rocking, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the occasion. The arena itself has a very unique and decorated feel. From the giant banners at either end of the court identifying the Gaucho greats to the wooden rafters holding the scoreboard over mid court, the Thunderdome is anything but a cookie cutter arena. Surrounded by four sections of bleachers, the arena takes almost a cross shape with the court being the center. The bleachers on either side of the court are large and rise up to the height of the wooden rafters. The end court bleachers go back about half the distance of the sideline rafters and back up to wall length banners of Gaucho legends such as Richard Anderson, Don Ford, and Brian Shaw. The student section actually seems to surround the court on three sides, demonstrating the passion on campus for Gauchos basketball. The band sits behind one of the baskets and is very engaged throughout the game, but is often drowned out by the other students. A student leads the cheers and performs raps and chants that really work to get the crowd fired up. It’s truly a great small school atmosphere. Neighborhood 5 For a lot of people, Santa Barbara is a city from an 80’s soap opera. In real life, it’s a place where everyone and everything is beautiful. The city itself is a very expensive place to live or visit, but it’s more than worth it and there’s plenty to do. Make a long weekend out of this trip and enjoy this beach side paradise. Things to see in nearby Santa Barbara include the Old Mission, Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Art Museum, historic city hall, the Museum of Natural History and of course, the beach. Nearby you can catch a boat to the Channel Islands National Park. Wine country also surrounds Santa Barbara for those looking for some more rustic settings. And if nothing else, the mountain drives inland from the city are absolutely beautiful. Hotels are abundant in the area as well, but expect to pay a little bit more to stay in the immediate Santa Barbara area. For those looking for more affordable options, a 20 to 30 minute drive north and south along 101 will offer accommodations in the smaller surrounding towns. If you’re willing to spend the extra money I’d strongly recommend staying near the heart of town so you can walk the beautiful streets of Santa Barbara. Restaurants are incredibly easy to find. I could list an endless amount of excellent options, but one of my favorite parts of Santa Barbara is the random cozy cafes that line the streets downtown. Brunch is an art form on the main streets, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore. Fans 4 What make the Gaucho faithful so great are the students. The student section all but surrounds the court and extends all the way to the rafters on the sideline section. Gauchos basketball is the place to be on campus on game day. During the game, it’s loud and energetic. A student leads the chants, raps, dances and creates all around energy at every opportunity during the game. The fans chant, stomp the bleachers, cheer, make signs and generally make the moniker of the Thunderdome come to life. The band also engages continuously with the fans and has their own set of chants, cheers and actions. Overall, the Thunderdome boasts a pretty intimidating home court advantage. Access 3 Santa Barbara is pretty easy to navigate as the 101 hugs the coast through the city. UCSB is located about eight miles northwest of the city directly along 101. Traffic is light and it’s easy to get around the area. Potentially the only issue with access here is the distance to the major hub of Los Angeles. Because of the mountains and the coast, the only way to get anywhere is to follow the 101. Los Angeles is about 100 miles southeast which can make for a lengthy drive. There is really nothing to the north of Santa Barbara until you hit the Pismo Beach area. There is a smaller airport in Santa Barbara basically right next to campus, so there is an option to fly directly into the Santa Barbara area as well. But it’s likely to be a bit costlier than using the major hub of LAX. Once on campus, the stadium is easy to find and is a part of a larger athletic complex with shared parking. There are two lots immediately outside the arena and a parking garage if both lots fill. Parking is an inexpensive $3. Stadium access is easy as well. The gates nearest the parking structure are for students only, so you’ll want to circle around to the parking lot side and enter from the main gate below the Thunderdome logo. You enter at court level which makes any handicapped seating easy. The cheaper tickets are up a flight of stairs in the upper half of the bleachers. Restrooms and concessions can be found in the corners of the arena and are easily accessible from anywhere. Return on Investment 4 There are a lot of passionate fan bases and wild atmospheres in college basketball, but most of them can’t be had at this value. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not claiming this is Duke, UCLA, or Kentucky. But it is a very good atmosphere for the level of college basketball you’re getting. For a $12 ticket, $3 parking and $5 meal, you’re getting quite a show. Extras 3 For all the good things about a UC Santa Barbara game, it’s actually pretty straightforward and there aren’t a ton of frills. The setting of Santa Barbara is clearly a plus that not many schools can compete with. And the Thunderdome name and atmosphere definitely are worth the visit. Final Thoughts Basically, this is a prototypical great small school atmosphere. The passion, the venue and the setting combine to make a trip to UCSB to see the Gauchos a very worthwhile investment.

Photos by Martin McNelis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Hillsborough Hillsborough Stadium Sheffield, England S6 1SW Sheffield Wednesday website Hillsborough website Year Opened: 1899 Capacity: 39,812 A Traditional English Soccer Stadium Hillsborough is the home of Sheffield Wednesday in the Yorkshire district of Owlerton, which is where the club’s nickname of ‘the Owls’ is taken from. The club and its ground are steeped in history. The club have played here since 1899 and the modern day capacity is a couple of hundred short of 40,000. The team were relegated from the Premier League at the turn of the millennium and have suffered a number of highs and lows since, with the team even finding themselves in the third tier of English football in this time, under the tutelage of several managerial appointments. The club are presently in the Championship (second tier) in the 2015-2016 season, and have achieved some stability on and off the pitch in recent years. Hillsborough can boast being a popular choice with the English FA (Football Association) as a neutral venue for cup Semi Finals and for Internationals, most notably during the 1966 World Cup. It was also used during the 1996 UEFA European Championships, hosting three fixtures between Turkey, Denmark, Croatia and Portugal in group play. Hillsborough is synonymous with the 1989 disaster which saw 96 Liverpool fans lose their life due to crushing in the Leppings Lane end (known today as the West Stand) when they played Nottingham Forest in the F.A Cup Semi Final. The irony is, that for all the media and reporting on one of the most tragic events to take place at a soccer venue, Sheffield Wednesday were not even playing. The stadium has undergone a number of changes following the Taylor Report which saw all seater stadiums being compulsory in England following the events of April 1989. It would certainly not be out of place should Wednesday achieve promotion back to the top flight in the future. Food & Beverage 4 There are a number of food kiosks in each stand which are well staffed with easy access and minimum queueing. The concourses are wide to allow fans to pass through or stand at the side and eat. There are also a number of televisions mounted on the walls or suspended from the roof showing a mixture of old games and goals, along with the Sky Sports channels. There are plenty of options to choose from including burgers, hot dogs, pizza and a variety of different pies. A lot of English clubs seem to have a deal with ‘Pukka Pies’ and their advertisements can be found around the internal walls and the pitch side hoardings. There are also a number of different beverages to choose from, hot and cold, including different types of lager and beers. The prices are reasonable and in line with what you would pay in, say the city centre. Despite being served in the standard plastic tumbler for health & safety reasons, the lager is decent. Atmosphere 4 Hillsborough is a friendly venue, and this is noticeable from engagements with the stewards to the staff in the club store, programme sellers and food kiosks. All four stands are covered and provide a good view of the pitch, though there are two corners of the stadium that have had seats added to increase capacity and they are out in the open. Some English stadiums have one specific point where fans congregate and generate an atmosphere, but Hillsborough has two, the North Stand and the Spion Kop behind the home fans’ goal. Wednesday fans are also notoriously known for their drum and band that play a variety of instruments during games. They also follow the English national soccer team and can be heard during international matches. Hillsborough is impressive both inside and out, and is a must for any ‘ground hunter.’ Hillsborough has signs of both modern development and the past. The Main Stand has upper and lower tiers and was designed by Archibald Leitch, a famous architect known for his work in a lot of soccer grounds going back to the early 1900s. The Main Stand’s facade is very modern with a new roof, corporate/executive facilities and office space upgraded within the last twenty years. There is a large scoreboard which is elevated above a police control office and sits between the West and Main Stand. It displays the teams, subs, officials and during the match it provides advertising, announcements, old goals and re-runs of match action. The North Stand is single tiered, which runs the length of the pitch and has SWFC in white against the blue seats. Both the West and Kop Stands behind each goal are converted terraces, from standing areas to all seated and each have four supporting pillars, which may obscure your view. As the stadium is situated on the River Don, there is a small bridge that you need to negotiate to access the Main Stand. To the left of the bridge is where you will find the Hillsborough memorial to the fans who died there in 1989. It has become something of a shrine, with scarves and flags from many clubs up and down the country. ‘Ozzie the Owl’ is the club mascot and he can be seen pre match. There are announcements made before the match and at half time. During the match you will hear music played by the ‘fan band,’ which is not everyone’s preference, but it does add to the occasion. Tickets are available in all stands for just about every home game, with away supporters accommodated in the West Stand. The rows are spaced out well with decent leg room. The pitch is close to the stands which means you will get a more than reasonable view of the action. The two uncovered sections tend to be for overspill from the North and Kop ends and unsurprisingly are the cheapest areas within the stadium. Neighborhood 4 Wednesday’s neighbours and rivals, Sheffield United are based near the city centre, however, Hillsborough is approximately three miles further out. Along the way there are a number of pubs, shops, fast food outlets and a couple of cash lines/ATMs. There is a train, tram, and bus service which runs regularly and all of these will take you within a few minutes walk to the stadium. You can also get a taxi, which will set you back around £8. The Old Crown, Penistone Road is for home supporters and The New Barrack Tavern accommodates home and away fans. Both are about a five minute walk from Hillsborough. There are also a Burger King and McDonalds on route from the city. Fans 4 Hillsborough features vocal fans, with songs and music created throughout play, which adds to the atmosphere and occasion. Despite some hard times, Wednesday still attract a home gate of around 22,000 for home matches. Access 4 All entry points to the stadium flow well, with minimum queuing both internally and externally. There are plenty of transport options. Whether you arrive by bus, tram, or train it will not set you back any more than £3, and all options are minutes walking distance to the ground. A taxi journey varies from around £6-£8. There is also street parking and official parking areas in and around Hillsborough. Public transport is well served. Entry to the ground is by ticket (scanned at the gate upon entry), but the club have been experimenting with a designated cash turnstile for certain fixtures. Return on Investment 5 Tickets, merchandise, and refreshment prices are reasonable and competitive with other similar clubs. With a vibrant, friendly atmosphere, if you can get a decent game to entertain you, a visit to Hillsborough provides excellent value all round. Tickets for cup games are halved or discounted which encourages more families or young kids out to the games, as it can make it more affordable for the average family. Extras 4 The official match programme is a very good read, impressively edited and produced. The shop also sells some DVDs and books for between £1 and £5. Final Thoughts The site of Hillsborough is now more than a soccer venue due to the events of April 1989. The subsequent police cover up that has seen the families challenge the official findings, has seen it become something of a shrine, with the name of the stadium regularly in the limelight. It is something that Sheffield Wednesday will have to live with, but it is an impressive, nostalgic stadium which is memorable for soccer reasons, given that it has hosted many matches over the years. Many a ground hopper will take pleasure on ticking this one off their list.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Firestone Fieldhouse 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263 Pepperdine Waves website Firestone Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 3,104 Catch Some Waves Sitting atop a hill overlooking the ocean, Pepperdine University with its trees, grass, and other of nature’s beauty surrounding its campus, without a doubt has to be one of the most scenic campuses in the country. Should you find yourself driving north on Pacific Coast Highway, as you approach Pepperdine you may notice a tall tower marked with a cross overlooking PCH. That is Phillips Theme Tower, one of the more recognizable landmarks on campus. Though this holy landmark does its best to bring positive vibes, it has also been involved in its share of controversy. Not far from the tower and a stone’s throw from Firestone Fieldhouse is Alumni Park, a grassy hill overlooking the ocean that makes for a nice tranquil pregame destination. Just kick back, bring the picnic basket full of goodies along with the picnic blanket, and become one with the cool ocean breeze. Then, of course, there is Firestone Fieldhouse, an intimate venue with a capacity of just over 3,100, perfect for a school with a small student enrollment. That’s not to say that support for the local five is not in evidence, as crowds here can be vocal. Food & Beverage 3 There is only one concession stand that serves the entire venue. Your basic stadium fare is available including hot dogs ($3) bratwursts ($3.50), frozen lemonade ($3), popcorn ($2.50), and chips ($1.50). Aside from the standard fare, specialty sandwiches are also available, including a Caprese sandwich for any vegetarians ($7.50). Vending machines are also on site dispensing bottled Coke products for $1.50, the norm for what you would probably pay for a bottled soda at any vending machine. Kudos for not hiking up the prices on the sodas as most any venue would do. Atmosphere 4 Fans show a great amount of enthusiasm, often times stomping on the wooden floors of the bleachers during various moments to create added noise in their attempt to help halt the visiting team. One of the nice things about watching a game in such an intimate venue is that the seats are never too far away from the floor, and interactions between the coaches, players, and officials can definitely be heard. Because of the close proximity between the stands and the court, officials are never too far away from any in-game commentary fans may have. Neighborhood 5 Words just can’t describe the scenery that surrounds this intimate campus. One of my favorite on-campus sites is Alumni Park, a 30-acre grassy hill that overlooks the Pacific Ocean with breathtaking views of Pacific Coast Highway looking northward. The park is open to the general public so if you should have time to kill before a game (I highly recommend that you do), you may want to bring a picnic blanket, lay it out over the grass, and just soak in the local scenery. Alumni Park also makes for great recreational use, as evidenced by the locals playing a little soccer and football. Also nearby for those of you who are into ancient art and architecture is The Getty Villa, located about 10 minutes south of campus on Pacific Coast Highway. Duke’s Malibu is a popular spot among the locals. Various drink specials are offered every night after 4 PM for Aloha Hour. Depending on the time of year, with its beachside location, you may even see some of the ocean’s wildlife as whales and dolphins can be seen out onto the distant waves. Fans 4 During my most recent visit, it was an afternoon where no pep band or mascot would be spotted, but the fans that did show up proved that they would not need either to get them involved, as they made plenty of noise on the wooden bleachers throughout the entire contest. The fact these fans did not need much to maintain their high energy level throughout the contest speaks highly of those in attendance. Access 3 Though there is really only one major route to arrive by, the view driving along PCH, especially when driving in the afternoon, can be worth the drive to Malibu alone. Unfortunately, Malibu is far from any major locations in Los Angeles. With practically no lodging options nearby campus, chances are great that your drive will be quite a distant one. Also, because you will be arriving via PCH, if arriving from Los Angeles, Santa Monica or points south, traffic can also be an issue, especially if driving during the week, so be ready for your patience to be tested. As you do arrive on campus you will be driving up a hill toward the parking area. The lot, offering free and ample parking, is highlighted by the markings of numerous basketball courts on the black asphalt. I imagine the lot is also used for recreation as well with hoops set up on each court during non-game events. The seating areas are divided by two levels. The lower level is made up of wooden bleacher seating on both sides of the court. While the bleachers can be great for creating noise, the seating is pretty cramped and walking the aisles can also require quite an effort. The upper level, not far from the court, offers actual seats. However, some of those seats can be obstructed by television camera crews. Overall, the seats up here offer a great value and are the best choice. On the south end is a crystal clear video board that also acts as the main scoreboard. While there are scoreboards located on each end of the court, the one on the south end is the most informative, displaying player stats throughout the game. Return on Investment 3 With tickets ranging from $15-$25 the costs, especially for the $15 general admission seats in the upper level, are pretty reasonable. While its scenic location may be worth the drive, the downside to that is that for many, the drive will be quite a distance. Should you make the effort to catch a game here at Pepperdine, I highly recommend that you make a day of it by taking in some of the local pre/postgame spots mentioned. This would be a great way of rewarding your effort in coming out to Malibu. Extras 3 Inside the venue, as you walk through the lobby is a display of Pepperdine’s National Championships, mostly accomplished by their men’s volleyball teams. Banners of their National Title accomplishments are also displayed on the south end inside the arena. If there was ever a category for originality, the pep squad would definitely rank high just for the fact that they come dressed in orange jumpsuits. Final Thoughts I left impressed by the school’s spirit squads, from their yell squad decked out in orange jumpsuits to the dance team, known as the Pom Squad. Of the various dance teams I’ve had the chance to observe, not including USC or UCLA, Pepperdine’s Pom Squad would rank at the top when it comes to originality in both dance routines and presentation. Given the venue’s small capacity, you will never be far from the action. While the commute to Firestone Fieldhouse can take a toll if done regularly, the scenery surrounding the campus and an enthusiastic atmosphere for the home team will certainly be a more than rewarding experience.

Photo Courtesy of Jose Carlos Fajardo, Contra Costa Times Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 University Credit Union Pavilion 1928 Saint Mary’s Rd. Moraga, CA 94556 Saint Mary’s Gaels website University Credit Union Pavilion website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 3,500 Moraga Hoops McKeon Pavilion (pronounced mc-CUE-in) is the home gym for the Saint Mary’s Gaels men and women basketball teams. The men’s team has been a top “mid-major” team over the last decade and has made some noise in the NCAA Tournament. Overall, Saint Mary’s has appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments after winning three conference tournaments and six conference regular seasons. Their best showing was making the Elite Eight in 1959. Additionally, they made the Sweet Sixteen in 2010. McKeon Pavilion has served as the home court for the Gaels since 1978 and has a capacity of 3,500 fans. Saint Mary’s has plans to renovate the aging facility to accommodate 500 additional fans, luxury suites and video boards as well as an athletic training facility. In the meantime, the Gaels still enjoy a great home court advantage. A game at McKeon Pavilion is one of the best college basketball experiences in Northern California thanks to quality of play and the intimate setting for a game. Note: The venue's name changed from McKeon Pavilion to University Credit Union Pavilion in Dec 2019. Food & Beverage 2 There is one main concession stand on the entry level concourse. Here you will find hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and other staples. Upstairs, you’ll find snacks like chips and candy. Both concession areas serve bottled water and soft drinks. In short, eat prior to getting to McKeon Pavilion and just supplement it with a snack or a soda. Atmosphere 4 There is not a better college basketball atmosphere in Northern California going right now than a Saint Mary’s home game. If California or Stanford have a good year it’s possible either of them could supplant the Gaels in this category. However, year in and year out, my money’s on McKeon. The seating is the one downside. Everything in the upper level is bleacher seating in hard, plastic form. One side of the gym has no seat pads, while the other side does ($10 more). There is very little leg room between benches which can make for an uncomfortable experience at times, but certainly serves to pack 3,500 spectators as close to the court as possible. You cannot access the lower level at anytime without a ticket for that area. Being almost 40 years old, McKeon Pavilion feels its age. There is no video screen showing replays or advertisements but that furthers the gym-like vibe. There is one small scoreboard at one end of the court and a larger one, complete with stats, at the other. “Gael Force,” the Saint Mary’s student section, stands on the bleachers opposite the team benches. Clad in all red, they keep the energy level high throughout. Though the students are raucous, it’s just as likely to see older couples and families with small children at McKeon. McKeon Pavilion is split into two main sections; lower and upper levels to your right and lower and upper levels to your left upon entry. The one exception to the mirror image is the Hall of Fame Lounge with its seats hanging over one end of the court, giving a unique perspective. Since Randy Bennett arrived in Moraga there has been an influx of Australian talent (e.g., Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova amongst others) and they now display an Australian flag in the gym. This, and the “Aussie-Aussie-Aussie” chants are sure to make these players right at home. Neighborhood 3 McKeon Pavilion is located on the Saint Mary’s campus in the town of Moraga, just 15 miles from Oakland. However, as most games are on weeknights during rush hour, it can take up to an hour to get to Moraga from the more urban areas of the Bay Area. Moraga has a population of less than 20,000 and is a quiet, but beautiful place. Rolling hills and tall redwoods allow for beautiful day hikes in the area. Being located on campus, though scenic, is not conducive to grabbing food or drink prior to or after a Gaels basketball game. Your best options are in downtown Moraga or Rheem Valley. Here you can find Lamorinda Pizza, Italian restaurant Amaroma, and Asia Palace (mostly Chinese). Regardless of where you eat prior to the game, you will be getting back into your car to get to McKeon. Since you’re driving, maybe check out nearby Orinda for La Piazza or Hanazen for sushi. Moraga is a mostly sleepy community where you can enjoy being outside or catching a movie. This portion is one of the more affluent of the Bay Area so you’re options for dining reflect that. You won’t find a row of sports bars where you can catch a game on a big screen. Fans 4 Like many students sections in college basketball, Gael Force remains standing for the duration of the game. They lead chants that the whole gym gets involved with and are the catalysts for big runs by the hometown team. The Gaels seem to benefit from playing in a small town, somewhat secluded from the otherwise busy and bustling Bay Area. They are not only the hot ticket in town, but the only. The community seems to embrace them as their own, with many members of the community alumnus of SMC. There is a perception about the fans being a little uppity at SMC. This may be true but I didn’t find it to negatively affect my experience. Access 2 Moraga is somewhat secluded from the rest of the Bay Area. The nearest freeways (13 and 24) are more than 5 miles away, accessible only by winding roads, with one lane going each direction. That doesn’t begin to tell the story of getting to McKeon. Though it’s only 20 miles away from San Francisco, it can take well over an hour to get to Moraga during rush hour. This is not unique to the Moraga/Lafayette area but certainly affects a trip to see the game. It’s not only an issue of getting out of the city as it backs up on the other side of the bay on 580 and 24. Keep traffic in mind as most college basketball games are held on weeknights. For many Bay Area residents avoiding traffic can be solved by taking a BART train. Unfortunately the nearest station is 5 miles away, so it is not walkable. Riding a bicycle is an option from the train station and would be a nice ride through the rolling hills, but isn’t advisable as there aren’t many street lights from the station into town. It’s not much easier when you get inside the venue. The bleacher seating in the general admission area leaves literally no room for people to pass in front of seated spectators. Even standing up to let fans by is tricky as there really is only room for one person to stand at a time. Other seating looks to be more accessible. Even the parking lots, though inexpensive at $5, are a good walk away from the venue. Return on Investment 3 Tickets have increased in recent years. A general admission ticket is now $15, with an identical seat across the court with seat cushion going for $25. These are starting points and go up depending on the opponent. Largely, single game seats in the lower level are unavailable as they are swooped up by season ticket holders. It would be nice to see them lower the price for sparsely attended non-conference games like when I saw the Gaels take on Morgan State. Concessions, though limited, and parking at a great value bump up the overall return a point. Extras 3 There aren’t many state-of-the-art extras at McKeon Pavilion. Rather, the extras consist of the historical value, the nostalgic nature of the gym and the atmosphere of this elite mid-major squad. The elevated area behind one backboard for some season ticket holders is cool, albeit strange, aesthetic. This area has risers filled with comfy folding chairs and plenty of legroom. They have typical contests throughout the game including a 3-point shooting contest which, on the night I attended, was won by a young man with use of only one of his arms. Very impressive. Lastly, the Gaels proudly display their retired numbers and championship banners for men’s and women’s hoops as well as the full trophy case in the main entrance concourse.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 UW Milwaukee Panther Arena 400 W Kilbourn Ave Milwaukee, WI 53203 Milwaukee Wave website UW Milwaukee Panther Arena website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 9,652 The Big Black Wave in Milwaukee The Milwaukee Wave holds the honor of being the United States’s oldest professional soccer team, debuting in 1984 as members of the American Indoor Soccer Association. Throughout six different indoor leagues, three venue changes, six retired jersey numbers, and six championships, the Wave have played continuously in the city of Milwaukee since the Reagan administration. The Wave joined the Major Arena Soccer League in 2014 in the renamed UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The arena opened in 1950 as the Milwaukee Arena and has been known by multiple names that include the MECCA Arena and the U.S. Cellular Arena. The 9,500-seat capacity for the Wave creates an ideal canvas for one of indoor soccer’s biggest draws in attendance figures. The arena saw a $10.5 million renovation in 1998 that included a new video scoreboard, refurbished seats, wider concourses, and lighting and sound improvement. For a facility that was built in the mid 20th century, it holds up quite impressively with unobstructed views and excellent sightlines. The Wave has played in six major indoor soccer leagues, but continue to be a popular entity within the sports community of Milwaukee with an educational outreach program that has reached 70 schools, popular kids club packages, and being a child-friendly destination. The team and the arena make for a perfect setting for spending an afternoon or evening watching indoor soccer. Food & Beverage 3 There is a nice selection of menu options at the arena, with many of them including a type of sausage sandwich, but then again this is Milwaukee, so what do you expect? The hot dog, bratwurst, and Italian sausage sandwiches are well worth the price of between $4.50-$5. They are fresh, tasty, and come with the option of grilled peppers and sausages. There are more exotic sausage varieties that include apple and gouda and chipotle cheddar that are priced at $7. The arena also serves hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, pizza and ice cream cones for fair prices. RC Cola, 7Up, Big Red and Sun Drop soft drinks are served at the concession stands and beer prices start at $7 for domestic bottles. All of the products are hot, fresh, and quite delicious. Perhaps a basket of cheese curds added to the menu sometime in the future? Atmosphere 4 The Wave has been one of the better teams in terms of attendance in indoor soccer and continually draw well to their home games. It is amazing how much the atmosphere can be altered when you have 3,000 plus fans rooting for the home side. However, there is much more to the atmosphere than just the sheer presence of fans and supporters. The Wave does a great job creating theme nights for their 10 home games that include Ghostbusters Night, Hot Wheels Night, and Superheroes and Princesses Night. During breaks between periods and halftime, there are activities on the field that you would find in many minor league baseball stadiums. There are three-minute games of bubble soccer during halftime for fans, dancing contests, dizzy soccer shootouts, and t-shirt tosses into the crowd. Then there is the all black turf that has been well received by players and fans. The synthetic playing surface was installed before the start of the 2014-15 MASL season and results have been positive. The color of the surface grabs your attention and creates another vibe for the sport of indoor soccer. There is also an array of music played throughout the game that runs the gamut from Metallica, Van Halen, Taylor Swift, and Spice Girls.“Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis is played after every Wave goal scored, and a lucky fan receives an autographed soccer ball that is kicked into the stands after each goal scored. After each game, the Wave tour around the field and allow fans to walk on the turf to seek autographs from players. There is a rich history with the club and the six championship banners adorn the wall of the coliseum behind the goal, along with banner honoring six retired numbers. There is a section on the main concourse for merchandise featuring the Wave’s colors of black, neon green, and light blue. The team sells a commemorative neon yellow arm sleeve that the Wave players wear in honor of former teammate Brett Wiesner who passed away in 2014. A portion of sales of arm sleeves goes towards a fund in his name. Neighborhood 5 The arena is located in the downtown section of Milwaukee and near many of the city’s eclectic neighborhoods of bars, restaurants, museums, shops, and other points of retail. The Historic Third Ward, Fifth Ward, and Waterfront districts are a short walk or taxi ride from the facility. The Milwaukee Brat House is an ideal spot for a bratwurst sandwich and fried cheese curds, and the Wisconsin Cheese Mart allows visitors to sample numerous types of cheeses and enjoy a few pints in the Uber House next door with many of the beers priced around the $4 mark. The Ale Asylum is located on the waterfront and features Cuban tacos and curry chicken sandwiches. In Red Arrow Park, take a break from eating and drinking, and enjoy some ice skating with the friends, family, or that special someone. In the Historic Third Ward District are Cafe Benelux, Water Buffalo, and the Wicked Hop that offers amazing options for brunch or just enjoying some great atmosphere. Across the street is the Milwaukee Public Market that is home to fresh fish, meats, a wine and beer bar, cafes, retail, and other culinary delights. Down the road in the Fifth Ward is the Milwaukee Brewing Company that offers tours on Saturdays and the Central Standard Craft Distillery for $4 Bloody Mary’s done the old-fashion way on Sundays. A little further away by car, Honey Pie Cafe serves one of the best pies anywhere. The bourbon fudge and blueberry cream pies are worth ruining your diet. Fans 4 The Wave has a truly dedicated brass of supporters who have been attending games since 1984.These are not your ordinary fans.They cheer, shout, and scream when things are not going their way on the black turf.The Wave faithful are concentrated on the action on the field and do a great job of creating much of the atmosphere here at the arena.They will also serenade the team after a victory at home and pay respect to former players who make appearances at games.The MASL needs more fans like them at every city in the league. Access 4 The downtown setting makes it rather simple to get off of I-94 and find the arena. Parking is $5-$10 and if it is a Sunday or after 6 PM, meter parking is free. The closer you are to the arena, the more of the chance that the parking price will be around $10. Once inside the facility, it easy to get around to the bathrooms and concession stands. You will not be able to completely walk around the seating area without bumping into seating and railings, but for a building that was built in 1950, it is still a great gathering spot for the 21st-century sports fan. Return on Investment 3 The price options for tickets range from $16.50, $21.50, $26.50, $31.50, $46.50, and $56.50. The $16.50 price point is well worth the admission price to the Wave, but a $46 and $56 price tag seems somewhat high for indoor soccer, even though it is for seating in the first three rows of the arena. Compared to other teams in the league, the Wave ticket prices are somewhat on the higher side. However, the team is a first-class organization and worthy of a visit to any stadium traveler. Extras 4 The Wave receive extra points for their black field surface, another point for the admiration the team gives to its fans during the game that includes kicking autograph soccer balls into the stands, a third point for its user-friendly website to find out about tickets and schedules, and a fourth and final point for being the longest-running professional soccer team in the United States. Final Thoughts All indoor soccer games should be like a Milwaukee Wave game experience. The sport has seen its up and downs since the original Major Indoor Soccer League ceased operations in 1992, but the Wave have managed to be an anomaly in a sea of defunct indoor soccer franchises. Attending a Wave game should be on a list for any sports enthusiast who may or may not enjoy soccer. I have to commend the Wave for being a top level organization and if I ever find myself back in Milwaukee, I look forward to attending another game.

Photos by Paul Donaldson, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Turpin Stadium 468 Caspari St Natchitoches, LA 71457 Northwestern State Demons website Turpin Stadium website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 15,971 Fork ‘Em Demons! Turpin Stadium, home of the Northwestern State Demons football team, provides a great environment for NCAA DI-FCS football. Though times have been rough for the Demons on the field as of late, the combination of a great stadium experience and being located in one of the best small towns in America makes attending a Northwestern State football game a memorable experience regardless of the overall record. Turpin Stadium was constructed in 1975 and has a current seating capacity of 15,971. The stadium layout features an east and west grandstand with a video scoreboard in the north end zone and the Jack Clayton Plaza and fieldhouse in the south end zone. The overall experience is highlighted by a great pre-game and halftime performance from the Spirit of Northwestern (SON) marching band and spirit squads as well as a nice tailgating atmosphere in Donald’s Demon Alley. Food & Beverage 2 Turpin Stadium offers the basic stadium fare but is a little light in terms of variety or specialty items. Permanent concession stands are located on both the east and west sides of the stadium under the grandstands. Traditional game day grub includes hot dogs ($3.50, $4 with chili & cheese), hamburgers ($4), nachos ($4), and Frito pies ($4). Snacks are available ranging from popcorn to peanuts, plus a few other typical items like chips and candy. You’ll also notice a Domino’s pizza cart in the concourse serving up sliced pizza. The clear favorite at Turpin is the loaded nachos, which comes with a heaping pile of chili, cheese and peppers. Your beverage options are headlined by bottled Coca-Cola products and PowerAde for $3.50. Alcoholic beverages are not sold at Turpin Stadium. The main stands accept debit/credit card, but you may want to bring along some cash for the Domino’s pizza cart. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at Turpin Stadium for a Northwestern State Demon football game has lost some luster as the program has experienced some rough stretches on the field. However, Turpin Stadium is still a great venue for FCS football and there are several game day elements which help make it one of the better environments in the Southland Conference. Turpin Stadium has the traditional west and east grandstands with no seating behind the end zones. The west grandstand offers two tiers of seating. The best seats are along the 50 yard line on the west side in the lower deck. Visiting fans will find friendlies in the northwest side of the lower deck in Sections J & K. The student section and the band will be located on the east side of the stadium. The Turpin Stadium scoreboard is equipped with a small video replay screen located in the north end zone. The south end zone holds the Jack Clayton Plaza and fieldhouse. While almost every college football program features spirit squads and a marching band, Northwestern State comes through with one of the best programs in the conference. The Spirit of Northwestern (SON) Marching Band nearly fills the entire playing surface during their excellent performances. They are complemented by the Demon Dazzlers dance team and Demon Heat color guard. Vic the Demon is NSU’s costumed mascot. You’ll notice him making his way around the stadium posing with fans. ROTC members man a canon in the north end zone, which is fired after Demon scores. On third downs, the sound of a belting bell is played which fires up the home crowd. The tailgating scene outside Turpin Stadium is definitely a highlight of the overall experience. Also, the Demons do a great job of memorializing past legends and historic moments through the west side concourse. Neighborhood 4 Turpin Stadium is located on the campus of Northwestern State University in the beautiful small city of Natchitoches, Louisiana (pronounced “Nack-a-tish”). While there’s not much immediately surrounding the stadium outside of college buildings, the stadium is located just two miles from the historic downtown area along the Cane River. While in town, be sure to try the unique regional dish of Natchitoches, the meat pie. And your best bet for a classic one is at Lasyone’s. The Pioneer Pub is a great stop after the game for a few local brews and a pub style menu. Mama’s and Papa’s are two separate restaurants located next to each other on Front Street and feature two different styles of menus and atmospheres. Try Mama’s for some good fried seafood. While in Natchitoches, a stroll down the river side in the historic downtown area is a must. The streets are decorated with potted flowers along the sidewalks and the Cane River is in view. This provides for a beautiful and relaxing stroll. There’s a great small town feel here that justifies the title of “Best Southern Small Town” bestowed by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice award. While Natchitoches isn’t littered with amazing attractions, there are a few good stops for entertainment while in town, outside of the scenic views. Be sure to stop by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Bayou Pierre Alligator Park. Natchitoches is locally known as the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Louisiana. One of the more popular stays is the historic Steel Magnolias House, the original site of the famous movie filmed locally. The Front Street Inn offers a comfortable stay in the downtown area, and the Best Western by I-49 offers a good value. Fans 3 The Demons haven’t given fans much to cheer about lately. Though it may seem like decades to some NSU faithful, it wasn’t that long ago that Northwestern State was a perennial conference title contender. Despite a somewhat diminished on-field product, Demon fans still turn out to support their team (though in lesser numbers than in years past). Typical attendance is around 10,000, but can dip to around 6,000 at the tail end of tough years. There are a few neat fan traditions at Demon football games. For one, you’ll definitely notice the NSU “fork ’em” hand signal, as fans proudly put it high in the air during the fight song and after big plays. Also, near the end of the fight song, fans join together in belting “beat the hell outta (insert opponent name).” The student section is known as the “Inferno” and can be a raucous group to deal with when the Demons are winning. However, with the recent rough stretch on the field, the Inferno has been a few flames short of the fire it once was and has the potential to be. As the only game in a small town, Northwestern State seems to have a ton of untapped potential for an amazing fan-made environment. If the Demons can find a way to string together a few conference title contending seasons, the Turpin Stadium experience will likely burst back onto the Southland Conference scene as one of the best. Access 4 Turpin Stadium is very accessible both in terms of getting to the stadium and moving around once inside. The Northwestern State University campus and Turpin Stadium are located just off I-49. One of the few drawbacks is the rural location of Natchitoches (not conveniently located near any major cities or airports). Several of the parking lots around the stadium are reserved, but you can find paid parking close by in the Prather Coliseum lot ($10) and, if you don’t mind a short walk, there’s plenty of free on-campus parking north of Turpin. Two ticket booths are located on both ends of the west grandstand. You’ll want to make sure to enter on the side you plan to sit since there isn’t a way to cross over to the other grandstand once inside. You may experience a short line at the ticket window, but it moves quickly. You’ll walk through the entrance without much of a hassle. Once inside the stadium, there is plenty of room to move around from the spacious concourse underneath the grandstand to the aisles and rows in the stadium. If you’re planning to sit in the upper level on the west side, there are two ramps leading up on both sides of the concourse and an elevator in the center. Restrooms are a bit dated, but large enough to handle typical crowds. Be sure to check out NSU’s game day guide on their website for tips on navigating Turpin Stadium and enjoying your game day experience. Return on Investment 4 NSU Demon football provides a minimal overall investment and the return is great. The price for premier seating at Turpin is one of the lowest in the Southland Conference at only $20. General admission is available for $15, which is about middle of the road within the Southland. Though the concessions menu is limited, the price is manageable. Nearby parking is $10, but free parking is available within walking distance. It’s hard to beat the value of Southland Conference match-up or in-state battle for the overall cost. Extras 2 Demon football games at Turpin Stadium feature a few extra elements which help to elevate the overall fan experience. Northwestern State does an excellent job in memorializing the past under the west grandstand. The columns along the concourse are decorated with pictures of Demon football legends including Mark Duper, Terrence McGee, Marcus Spears, Jackie Smith, and Bobby Hebert. You’ll also notice historic team pictures and shots from legendary games. Donald’s Demon Alley is the place to be during pre-game. Complemented by the recently constructed Collins Family Pavilion, you’ll find plenty of purple-clad fans cooking up pots of jambalaya, grilling boudin, and firing up barbecue pits in front of a festive scene that includes a live band.

Photos by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Holt Arena 550 Memorial Dr Pocatello, ID 83209 Idaho State Bengals website Holt Arena website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 12,000 The Dome That Time Forgot Here’s a trivia question: What is the oldest indoor football stadium still in use? The answer, of course, is Idaho State University’s Holt Arena; home of the Bengals. Holt Arena opened in 1970 as the nation’s first indoor football stadium on a college campus and is predated only by the Houston Astrodome. The arena also houses the home court of the Idaho State Bengals men’s basketball team, ISU’s indoor track and field programs, and it hosts concerts, track meets, rodeos, trade shows and many other events. Originally called the Mini Dome, Holt Arena isn’t really a dome at all. It’s an arched roof structure sitting right on top of the ground like a giant quonset hut. The shape is not unlike the numerous potato warehouses scattered all over southeastern Idaho. The building was the inspiration of former ISU athletic director Milton “Dubby” Holt who it might be said, was way ahead of his time. What the building lacks in architectural beauty it makes up in versatility. Idaho State is a charter member of the Big Sky Conference and competes in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of Division I college football. Food & Beverage 2 Concession stands are located in the entrance corridors behind the grandstands on either side of the arena. The offerings are very basic, but prices are a bargain compared to any other division one college sports venue I’ve been to. A huge bucket of popcorn is $3, a hot dog is only $2, and a small soda is $2. There’s no beer on sale inside the arena, but there was beer available at a stand in the parking lot. Fans can exit and re-enter the arena with their ticket stub to enjoy some tailgating at halftime. Atmosphere 2 Walking into Holt Arena feels like entering a time warp. The late sixties and early seventies utilitarian motif has not changed. The molded plastic seats throughout the arena colored in drab orange, green, and gold will take you back to the Brady Bunch days. However, one huge noticeable improvement is the modern artificial turf that replaced the thinly padded brillo like surface that made Holt Arena feared by opposing teams. The current surface is the same used by the Dallas Cowboys. Another unusual feature is the goal posts hang from the ceiling, so that is one less obstruction for the players to run into. There are equally sized grandstands along both sidelines and no end zone seating. The seating is close to the action. There’s adequate leg room between rows and the plastic seats are more comfortable than the typical metal bleachers found in most college stadiums. The students and band occupy the south side. Visiting fans are located in Section M, also on the south side. With the Bengals struggling, the arena is a little more than half full, but even a small crowd can generate some good noise under the enclosed roof. The PA announcer does a good job of keeping the crowd informed on down and distance and tries hard to get everyone excited on 3rd downs with mixed results. Neighborhood 3 The setting around Holt Arena on the north side of the ISU campus is very parklike with wide expanses of trees and green space. In fact it would be quite a lovely setting for an outdoor stadium. This sentiment is reinforced by viewing ISU’s new practice field just south of the arena among the trees, grass, campus buildings, and the hills overlooking Pocatello. Unfortunately, the beauty of Pocatello’s surroundings is hidden under the ugly roof of Holt Arena during the game. Pocatello, with a population of about 54,000, is a nice clean town in southeast Idaho. There are an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities in the area including big game and bird hunting, fishing, and skiing. If touring the area, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, an ancient volcanic feature, is well worth checking out. The ISU campus is located in a residential section of Pocatello just off of I-15. It’s convenient for visiting fans to stay at one of the many hotels off Pocatello Creek Road at exit 71 (one exit north of the ISU exit) such as the Clarion, Super 8, or Red Lion. There are also several restaurants there including Perkins and the Sandpiper. Downtown Pocatello is about 8 blocks west of Holt Arena via tree lined streets. When downtown, check out the Portneuf Valley Brew Pub, a nice find in a part of the country where brew pubs aren’t so common. Fans 2 Idaho State fans have been longsuffering as the Bengals haven’t won a lot of games over the years. But when the Bengals do have a winning season, such as their fantastic run in 2014, and the fans show up in greater numbers, Holt Arena becomes a significant home field advantage. But even in the midst of a tough losing season, the Bengal fans that make it to Holt Arena wear their Bengal gear with pride and cheer with enthusiasm. I’ve always found Bengal fans to be polite and friendly to visiting fans. They’re just out to have a good time and don’t seem to take things too seriously. Access 3 In the far flung, widespread Big Sky Conference, Idaho State might be the easiest road trip for the most of the Big Sky teams. Pocatello is located at the junction of I-86 and I-15. Holt Arena is right off I-15. Take exit 69, follow Clark Street to S. 15th Avenue and you’ll come right to the huge paved Holt Arena parking lot. There is plenty of room in the large parking lot and the cost to park is only $5. The parking lot is immediately adjacent to the arena so it’s a short walk from your car to the entrances. The area around the arena appears to very walkable and bikeable from the rest of the ISU campus and the residential part of Pocatello. The two sides of the arena mirror each other with twin entry corridors. Once inside, the concession stands and restrooms are in the corridor with several portals leading inside the arena. Section numbers are well marked above the entrances. Pay attention to what section you plan to sit in. If you enter on the wrong side you will have to leave the building and go around on the outside. There is not a concourse inside the building to take you all the way around the field. Restrooms are clean and functional and there aren’t any significant lines or crowding. The staff at the entry doors and the entry portals into the arena are polite, friendly, and helpful. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $17 to $24, parking is $5, and the concession prices are very reasonable. ISU football is a relative bargain compared to other division one football locations, and no matter how bad the weather is outside, it’s always warm and dry inside the dome. Extras 1 A bonus point for the kicking tee-fetching dog, all decked out in a Bengal jersey. The dog flawlessly retrieves the kicking tee off the field after every Bengal kickoff to a big round of applause from both home and visiting fans. Final Thoughts Holt Arena was built at a time when multi-purpose stadiums were all the rage. As the years have gone on, the multi-purpose stadium is fading into history. Holt Arena used to be ahead of its time. It could easily accommodate all of ISU’s sports teams in climate controlled comfort if scheduling would allow. But some sports just need to be played outside, and the building has fallen behind as other college teams spruce up their arenas and stadiums. Holt Arena is in need of some multi-million dollar renovations to bring it up-to-date. Perhaps opening up the sides to allow in natural light would help. Or better yet, construct a new, more reasonably sized basketball arena next door and then rip the roof off and have an outdoor stadium. I’m sure these ideas have passed through ISU – it’s just that such changes would cost tens of millions of dollars. And other than appearances, the building seems to be working just fine.

Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Ewigleben Arena 210 Sports Dr Big Rapids, MI 49307 Ferris State Bulldogs hockey website Ewigleben Arena website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 2,493 Ferris State Hockey at Ewigleben Robert L. Ewigleben Ice Arena opened in 1976, a year after the Ferris State Bulldogs joined the ranks of the NAIA hockey. In 1979, the program made the jump to NCAA Division I. The first thing you need to know is how to pronounce that mouthful of a name. I am told that it is AVA-globe-in. Get that down and you’ll fit right in. Ferris State University is found in Big Rapids, Michigan – about an hour north of Grand Rapids. I was told that this is very much a hockey town, and it doesn’t take long to verify that. The arena itself is tiny, and this is a very good thing. The students fill the student end, complete with the pep band. The low ceilings and capacity of 2,493 seats make for an intimate and loud experience, especially when an intrastate rival is in town. Food & Beverage 4 The food selection is consistent with the no-frills approach of the entire arena experience, but there is still enough to get you through the contest. On the positive side, the prices are very affordable. I tried the hot dog ($2), and it was tastier than most that you’ll find at a small arena like this. I also tried the pizza ($2.50) which you will want to skip. The concession was pretty slow when I ordered about 40 minutes before the puck dropped. I asked what the Wing Dings were, and I was told they would take 30 minutes to make. OK, no wing dings then. I’m usually up for a hot beverage at a hockey game, and Ferris State offers coffee, cocoa, and cappuccino ($1.50/$2). I was also glad to see that you could get a donut with your coffee (75 cents). Slush puppies ($2), and Coca-Cola fountain drinks round out the menu ($1.50/$2). You can also buy a refillable travel mug ($4). There is no alcohol served at the game as this is an on-campus facility. Atmosphere 3 There is nothing remarkable about the building as you approach Ewigleben Ice Arena. Once inside, you won’t be blown away either. There is one large hallway that serves as the bridge between the ice arena and the basketball arena, Jim Wink Arena. All seats inside the arena are maroon plastic bleachers with adequate legroom and no cup holders. Only 11 rows deep, there is no doubt that you will have a good view of the action no matter where you end up. Aim for center ice as high up as you can. There are seats on three sides; the two ends and along the side opposite the team benches and penalty box. It is certainly unusual to only have seats on three sides, but it only adds to the intimacy of the facility. As the National Anthem winds down, you’ll hear the student section sing along with the line, …the land of the free, and the home of the DAWGS! The arena is too small to have a scoreboard hanging over the center. Instead, there are two fairly basic scoreboards on each end that give you just the necessary information; time, score, penalty information, shots on goal, and period. There is also a clock behind the penalty box. Neighborhood 4 During my visit, there was a pre-game party being held at the nearby Buffalo Wild Wings. I was told that this happens from time to time, and it certainly adds to the overall experience if you’re able to spend some time with the fans before a game. They have plenty of Ferris State sports memorabilia on the walls, so this is a good place to begin to build that bulldog spirit and ingest some delicious wings while you’re at it. Closer to downtown is The Gate & 7-10 Bar and Grill. This is also a good place to spend some time before or after the game, especially if you have your bowling ball and shoes with you. Fans 4 The doors open 60 minutes before the game begins. Fifty-five minutes before the game, the student section is already half full. You know it’s going to be a great atmosphere when the students are that anxious to get into the game. I would guess that the students take up 1/3 of the seating area, and they are standing throughout and doing a good job of leading the energy in the arena. The student section is known as the Dawg Pound, and they are engaged throughout the contest. There is also a pep band that sits near the students, helping to add to that collegiate atmosphere. The middle section of the crowd tends to be alumni and season, ticket holders. They are also very engaged, shouting encouraging words and referring to the players by their first names. The end opposite the students tends to be fans with families, or who more irregularly attend. This is the quieter end, and a bit less rowdy if that’s what you prefer. Access 4 There is only one main concourse with one large bathroom for each gender. It is adequately clean and I noticed no lines during the game. One minor inconvenience is that you need to keep your ticket on you as you will need to show it when going from the concourse back into the arena. Just make sure you keep it in your pocket and it won’t be a big deal. Parking is only $5, and there are plenty of spots. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for a premium game are only $16. This would include intrastate rivals like Michigan and Michigan State. In most games, the tickets are only $12, and with an arena this small there are certainly no bad seats. Food prices are much below average cost, and while there aren’t any amazing food items, the pricing is very fair. With parking at only $5, you can easily have a spot to park, a ticket, and something to eat and drink and still stay under $25 for the night. It is a great value, and well worth it. Extras 4 There’s a nice pro shop offering Ferris State apparel and hockey gear. The prices are quite fair, including jerseys for just $80, much less than what you will find in most arenas. Near the Ferris State bench, there is an area set up as “Date Night with the Dawgs.” It’s a table for two with a chef on duty right along the glass. The school gives away the date night of each home game to a season ticket holder. The Ferris State staff does a good job of injecting innovative ideas into the media time-outs and intermissions. My favorite was the first intermission shootout where kids got to have a breakaway opportunity against the FSU mascot. On the opposite end, members of the student section shot against the buffalo from Buffalo Wild Wings. A student with a Michigan State t-shirt was thoroughly booed, which was rather good fun. Speaking of the staff, this is one of those places where everyone you run into goes above and beyond. It is a simple premise to be friendly to your fans, but it is still difficult to execute with consistency. Tip of the cap to the game day staff for pulling it off.

Photos by Ryan Norris, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 CEFCU Stadium 1257 S 10th St San Jose, CA 95112 San Jose State Spartans website CEFCU Stadium website Year Opened: 1933 Capacity: 30,456 The Other Spartan Stadium Editor's Note: The stadium's name changed from Spartan Stadium to CEFCU Stadium in mid-2016. San Jose State has fielded a football team since 1893 and won 16 conference championships in that time. Though they may be the third program you think of when thinking of Bay Area college football, the Spartans have a rich player and coach history that includes Bill Walsh, Dick Vermeil, Jeff Garcia, Joe Nedney, Steve DeBerg and perhaps most famous, Glenn “Pop” Warner. Spartan Stadium opened in 1933 and it has primarily been used for San Jose State football. Aside from the Spartans, the stadium has hosted various other minor and professional sports such as lacrosse and men’s and women’s soccer. Most recently, they hosted the San Jose Earthquakes of the original NASL (1974-84) and for their first stint in MLS (1996-2005). The stadium also hosted the Silicon Valley Football Classic from 2000-04 which was a bowl game that pitted schools from the WAC and the then Pac-10. 2013 turned out to be a transitional year for the Spartans. First, San Jose State moved into the Mountain West Conference. This creates greater television coverage and they play tougher competition, fit for a team looking to be nationally-relevant. In addition, their coach Mike MacIntyre left the school to take the job at the University of Colorado. MacIntyre had a very successful tenure at SJSU going 1-10 in 2010 and finishing 11-2 with a Military Bowl victory in 2012. Coach Ron Caragher has taken the reigns for the new phase of Spartans football. To continue this progression to the upper-echelon of Division I football, the university has approved the privately-financed Vermeil-Walsh Athletic Complex. This facility will house new locker rooms, coaches offices, meeting rooms, a hall of fame and athletic training facilities. It will be accessible from outside and inside Spartan Stadium. Food & Beverage 4 The food at Spartan Stadium has been much improved in recent years. They now have a more extensive menu to match their bigger crowds. At the main concession stands the offerings include tri-tip sandwiches ($8), nachos ($4.50) supreme ($6.50), chicken tenders ($8), Polish and Italian sausages ($6), linguica ($6), hot links and jumbo hot dogs ($6). Snacks ($4.50) include Craker Jacks, peanuts, sunflower seeds and soft pretzels. Candy ($3), churros ($3.50) and frozen lemonade ($4.50) are also available. Local Mexican chain Una Mas has a permanent stand near the south end zone and there are two local food trucks parked on the east side of the stadium. Bottled soda and water ($4) and coffee and hot chocolate ($3.50, $5) are the beverage options. Alcohol is not served at Spartan Stadium. Atmosphere 4 A small change has greatly upgraded the atmosphere at Spartan Stadium. A lot of the gray or taupe accents around the stadium have been painted the vibrant blue that the team uses in its uniforms. This has made a huge difference and makes it the stadium more identifiable with team that plays there. All along the very top of the seating are honorees from Spartans teams gone by. Names like Bill Walsh, Pop Warner, Jack Elway and Jeff Garcia highlight this list. A unique aspect of the stadium layout is that the west stands are a traditional boxed-off two deck layout while the east side has a gradual rounded facade. The bleachers, particularly the end zone ones, are certainly showing their age as the seating is bolted into the cement-covered hillside. Another quirky quality of Spartan Stadium is the column-like structure separating the fans from the field. I like the distinct railing as that is how I determined whether the Earthquakes were home or away when watching on TV as a kid. Neighborhood 2 The immediate neighborhood is mostly industrial, pretty vacant for a college football Saturday. The only crowd you’ll find is in the parking lot at the rambunctious tailgates. Spartan Stadium is located two blocks away from San Jose Municipal Stadium which is home to both the San Jose Giants and the Spartans baseball team. Unlike the Spartans basketball team that benefits from being on campus and near downtown, Spartan Stadium needs to be a destination for students. Since they aren’t on campus and aren’t near the bustling downtown area, its pedestrian pregame environment suffers. Driving to good bars and restaurants is a viable option, just ten minutes away. Fans 3 There are a good amount of diehard fans that attend Spartan football games. They are coupled with a resurgence of casual fans have returned to the fray with the successful program. It seems that the upward trend in attendance will continue once the North End Zone project and athletic complex is completed. The one unfortunate aspect is there are about 10,000 seats that are rarely filled on the second deck of the west side of the stadium. Perhaps they will begin to fill out on a consistent basis once SJSU is established in the MWC. In the Bay Area there are two NFL teams and two Pac-12 football schools so San Jose State can sometimes feel like a fifth wheel. However, playing in the Mountain West Conference and the school being a part of the CSU system, it has the chance to carve out its own identity in an area that has been dominated by the other four teams. Where in some regions the school becomes part of the community, it seems that the fans of San Jose State are almost exclusively alumnus. Access 3 Spartan Stadium is easily accessible from either 101 or 280 as exits are only a few blocks away. Parking lots are available on both sides of the stadium for a $20 fee. Getting around inside the stadium is easy as there is plenty of room to walk around most of the stadium. The one exception to this is the narrow walkway that goes up the gradual hill on the east side of the stadium. If your seats are in the middle of those stands, I’d recommend going around the backside and climb the steep stairs to the middle of the section. Unfortunately, the nearest train station is beyond a walk away. It would greatly benefit fans to have a viable public transportation option nearby like they do at Cal or Stanford. Return on Investment 3 $20 gets you a general admission ticket and you can sit near either end zone (I’ve found secondary market tickets for $2). $5 more gets you a reserved seat and a seat back. Chair seating is available in the center section on the west side and are mostly occupied by season ticket holders. Food, though expensive, has improved and you can now get a decent meal at Spartan Stadium. If you’re up for walking (the neighborhood is plenty safe) you can park a few blocks away to avoid the $20 parking charge. On a nice day, I’d actually recommend the walk that way you can stop in the student tailgating areas, complete with two DJs and games. Extras 2 The great football players from the program are honored at the top of the second level on the west side while the bowl wins are acknowledged at the top of the first level. It seems that there has been more acknowledgment of the history of the program in the last few years. I believe that those acknowledgments help to cultivate fan passion. Near where the Vermeil-Walsh Athletic Complex will be there is the Jeff Garcia Hall of Champions. On its website it says it opens 3 hours before kickoff and closes 1 hour before. Unfortunately, on my most recent trip it was closed at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Final Thoughts I have really enjoyed how much the stadium and fan base have improved over the last few years and look to continue attending games here and see the final product when the new athletic complex is completed.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 University Stadium 1111 University Boulevard SE Albuquerque, NM 87131 New Mexico Lobos website University Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 39,224 This Way to Albuquerque! Editors Note: The venue name changed from DreamStyle Stadium to University Stadium in Sept 2020. Home of the New Mexico Lobos football team, DreamStyle Stadium opened in 1960, has a capacity of just over 39,000, and sits not quite a mile above sea level (a mere 5,100 feet). The previous stadium, Zimmerman, held only 16,000, and was demolished to make way for the expanding UNM campus. Attendance at DreamStyle Stadium has been on the upswing for the past decade, and Lobos football has boasted average attendance over 30,000 in each of the past four years. See a brief tour of the stadium here: Food & Beverage 5 DreamStyle Stadium’s concessions offer everything you could ask for and then some, including stadium basics, local fare, and even traditional fair food, such as fried Twinkies. So where to begin? The main stands on the east and west sides offer basics, such as burgers (three varieties, all served with chips), hot dogs, corn dogs, and brats, but you can find additional items on the plaza along the north side, including pizza, pulled pork, boneless and traditional wings, turkey legs, sausage sandwiches (with or without pulled pork), chicken tenders, and even Navajo tacos. These items range in price from $5 all the way to $12 for the largest items. However, if you are more into snacks and desserts, you will find traditional items such as nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, and glazed nuts, as well as more exotic fare such as ribbon fries, fry bread, fried Twinkies, fried Oreos, fried ice cream, dessert nachos, caramel apples, root beer floats, and even roasted corn-on-the-cob. These items will cost between $4 and $7. Drink options are not as numerous, but provide a good selection. Note that like many college venues, no alcohol is sold on-site. However, you will find coffee, hot cocoa, and cappuccino, as well as Pepsi products, Gatorade, bottled water, and fresh-squeezed lemonade (about $4 to $7 per item). Atmosphere 3 DreamStyle Stadium has a modern feel, with premium seating on the south side, and regular seating on the north, east, and west. All of the seats are metal bleachers except the premium seating, which are plastic bucket-style seats. The mountains provide a nice backdrop, and the scoreboard above the north end zone is large enough to be seen by all fans. The east side has some nice landscaping on each end, including a stepped garden complete with local vegetation. The experience at DreamStyle Stadium includes the normal amenities, such as fireworks and the cheer squad running around with flags after home team scores, as well as two mascots (male and female). The band also does some unique formations, such as forming the letters U-N-M. There are ramps all the way around the stadium, so you can take in the game from multiple vantage points. You will also see flags from all of the Mountain West schools above the east grandstand. Neighborhood 3 There are several good restaurants near DreamStyle Stadium, as well as some local attractions nearby (mostly of the outdoorsy type). Traditional fare in the area is, of course, Mexican, and there are plenty of these restaurants near the stadium, such as El Modelo or Pasion Latin Fusion. However, if you are looking for something less traditional, you might try Kellys Brew Pub on Central Ave. Kellys is located in a converted body shop, and features house brews and a large menu. The number one attraction in Albuquerque is the Sandia Peak Tramway, which takes you across canyons and other beautiful terrain, providing fantastic views of the local landscape. The Tram is generally open daily from 9 am to 8 pm, but is closed occasionally in the fall for maintenance, so be sure to check the schedule. Fans 3 Fans at New Mexico are loud and involved, and wear team colors, but won’t always fill the stadium, depending on how their team is doing, or if the weather is too cold or too windy. In recent years average attendance has been over 30,000, but the crowd tends to get smaller late in the year as the weather gets colder. And if the Lobos do not have a winning record, the attendance also tends to drop. You will hear a lot of howling during the game (recorded wolf songs played through the loudspeakers) – for example, before the game, or after big plays, or during opposing third downs. You will also hear the crowd, who stay loud throughout the game, and cheer (or boo) at the appropriate times. Access 4 Depending on where you are coming from, Albuquerque could be a long drive up a lonely road, but DreamStyle Stadium is very easy to find. The stadium is right off I-25, and there is plenty of parking right off the freeway, for about $10 per car. There are entrances all around the stadium, and the east, west, and south sides are all connected by a long pathway/ramp that goes all the way around, so no matter where you park, it should be easy to get to your seat. The concourse is easy to move around, and most of it faces the field, so you can easily see the game while you walk to and from your seat. There are plenty of bathrooms, which are all very spacious, and there are plenty of concession stands, so the lines are not too long. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Lobos game is a great value for the money – concessions are reasonable, depending on what items you purchase, and parking is fair. Ticket prices are also very reasonable – tickets for adults start at only $16 ($11 for fans aged 2-18), and do not vary by opponent, like at many football venues. Tickets cost $5 more on game day, however, so be sure to purchase in advance. Extras 3 The mountains provide a nice backdrop, and the stadium is very well laid out and easy to move around. There is also a lot of school color, and the presence of the state flag and Mountain West Conference flags add to the effect. Final Thoughts This is a great stadium to visit if you are in the area. Be sure to check out the Tramway while you are in town to truly experience the mountain scenery.

Photo Credit Randy Bergeron, Sports Information Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 University Center W University Ave. Hammond, LA 70402 Southeastern Louisiana Lions website University Center website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 7,500 Get a Room at the University Center In Washington, D.C. there’s the Pentagon. Located in Hammond, LA there is an octagon where Southeastern Louisiana University basketball teams play their games in an arena called the University Center. The University Center opened in 1982 and seats a little over 7,500 fans. But, on my visit there I’d lose money to bet if over 500 people attended the game. Despite being a small university, competing in the Southland Conference, SLU lays it out for its fans to enjoy a basketball game. The SLU mascot is called Roomie the Lion. With a name like that it’s obvious the school likes to make things comfortable for its fans. The Lions aren’t really known for much, other than being the alma mater of Good Morning America anchor, Robin Roberts. However, through the use of the University Center, the Lions can charm you. Food & Beverage 2 The University Center doesn’t have any concession items that will amaze you, but the choices they have to offer are what you’d minimally expect anywhere. You get the basics: nachos, hot dog, popcorn, peanuts, and candy. Your drink selections are Coca-Cola products. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere here is really relaxing. Almost to the point to where you might dose off for a quick nap. However, it wasn’t necessarily dull or boring because the university’s band entertains during media timeouts. The band plays traditional basketball music and you’ll hear the school’s fight song often. The setup is pretty unique. There is a courtside section for the “Top Cats” where the area is set up like a lounge bar and has a couple bar tables with high chairs. There is a platform with two lazy boys on it and not to mention the courtside seats that put your toes almost on the court. I’m pretty sure that area is for the prestigious season ticket holders. It looked worth the investment though. Neighborhood 4 Hammond may not be a famous city in Louisiana or the United States, but the downtown area is very unique and offers a lot. There are some really good bars and pubs there that serve good beverages and food. I’d recommend going to the Cate Street Pub, you might even catch them on a karaoke night and really have a good time. The University Center is a little over a mile from the downtown area and I highly recommend going to check it out. If you are looking for more of a sit-down restaurant, go to a Mexican restaurant called La Carretta and you’ll be in for a real treat there as well. If the downtown area is too much for you then there are other spots you can go that are even closer. You can choose between pizza, seafood, and barbecue within a reasonable distance. Fans 1 I was really disappointed with the fan support. The courtside fans were older people who were probably alumni. Maybe it was because the students were out on break that attendance was so low when I visited the University Center. However it was a conference matchup and I thought it would have some good support, but I was wrong. The Athletic Department tried to make the game entertaining with games like: test your TV show knowledge and shooting contests, but the fans never hyped up much. Access 3 Finding Hammond and the University Center was very easy. I hopped right off the interstate and drove straight to it from the exit. You can’t miss running into the campus with the arena sitting to the left and the campus to the right. It’s a huge green octagon! The parking was free, which always deserves an extra star. The parking lot is plenty spacious and convenient. I parked front row after showing up for the game a few minutes late. There weren’t many fans in attendance, but still even when the lot is full the walk to the arena isn’t a workout. Return on Investment 3 Southland Conference competition isn’t bad, especially the game I went to because it was two teams from south Louisiana going at it – a little pride on the line. The tickets, of course, aren’t expensive at all. You can get a seat for about $8. This is easily a $15 night if you’re out by yourself, but I really recommend taking that extra mile or so to the downtown of Hammond. Extras 1 I was really impressed with the “Top Cat” area and how it was set up. Next time I go, I will make sure to get a seat there and experience the Lions game from there. I feel that would be worth the investment. Final Thoughts All in all, the University Center is a clean, home-feeling arena that can really make you feel comfortable. Maybe even as comfortable as Roomie the Lion.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Blaik Field at Michie Stadium 700 Mills Rd West Point, NY 10996 Army Black Knights website Blaik Field at Michie Stadium website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 38,000 The Greatest Gameday in America Virtually every sports fan has a bucket list of venues they would like to visit. Chances are there are some legendary names on these lists, such as Fenway Park, Lambeau Field, St. Andrews or Wimbledon. Some venues that should be on any sports fan’s bucket list lie further off the beaten path. In quaint West Point, New York, a town of only 6,763 people, is a venue that should be on any sports fan’s short list of places to go as you explore the planet. The people who work at Sports Illustrated agree, and they have been to a few places. In 1999 the magazine published a list of their top twenty sports venues of the 20th Century. In third place, behind only the old Yankee Stadium and Augusta National Golf Course, is Blaik Field at Michie Stadium, a small football stadium that seats only 38,000 people, and lacks many modern amenities present in other stadia around the world. In 2007 Sports Illustrated ranked their top college venues for all sports, and again Michie Stadium made the cut, coming in seventh place on this list. How does Michie Stadium find itself in such heady company? Simply put, this is the greatest game day experience in America. Watching an Army football game at Michie Stadium is more than just a game. It is part history lesson, part sporting event, part Fourth of July. Michie Stadium was named after Dennis Michie, class of 1892, who organized, coached, and managed the first football team at West Point in 1890. He was killed in action in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Yes, that is how far back Army football goes, it predates the Spanish-American War. The 2015 season will mark the 125th year that football has been played at West Point. In 1999 the field was named after Earl “Red” Blaik, who coached Army to 3 consecutive national titles from 1944-46. Blaik Field at Michie Stadium celebrated its 100th season in 2014. Only 15 FBS stadiums in the nation, and only six east of the Mississippi, are older than Michie Stadium. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at Michie Stadium do not stray very far from the basics. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the concessions is that every stand in the stadium is staffed by cadets, who work the stands to raise money for their various extracurricular groups Virtually every concession stand at Michie Stadium has the same menu, featuring hot dogs, nachos, and various snacks such as pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, and cracker jacks. Coca-Cola products are featured at Michie Stadium, and can be purchased in popular souvenir mugs which feature free refills throughout the game. Fans looking for a little variety can find unique items at temporary stands located in the southeast entry plaza, where cheesesteaks, pizza, and sausage sandwiches can be purchased. Concessions stands tucked in behind the north end zone feature chicken nuggets, pulled pork sandwiches, French fries, and onion rings. Overall, the quality of the food at Michie Stadium is good, and the prices are comparable to other venues in the area. Atmosphere 5 The gameday atmosphere here at the Army academy takes a back seat to no other venue in the nation. It all starts six hours before kickoff, when the parking lots open for fans. Many fans do indeed arrive as early as six a.m. to set up their tailgates and begin the day’s festivities. While the tailgating scene at West Point is an active one, the experience is not the party atmosphere that you may experience at other schools in the country. This is a military base, after all. Many fans arrive early to watch the Cadet Review on “The Plain.” A full-dress cadet parade takes place three hours before every home game, weather permitting. Other fans opt to explore areas of the campus such as Fort Putnam, one of a series of forts and redoubts which date all the way back to the Revolutionary War. Another pregame option for Army football fans is Black Knights Alley, a fan fest which runs along Mills Road between Michie Stadium and Lusk Reservoir. Black Knights Alley features live music, an inflatable park, food and beer tents, the Army Football Tailgate Show, and other vendors. It’s a popular gathering spot for fans before the game, and watching the Army band and football team enter the stadium through a gauntlet of cadets is a highlight of the festivities. Things really get going about a half hour before kickoff. If visiting Michie Stadium for the first time, you will definitely want to be in your seat to witness the pregame show the Army puts on. To begin, the Cadet Regiment marches onto the field. Over 1,000 cadets take the field in formation to accompany the Cadet Glee Club and Army Band in the playing of the national anthem. The highlight for many fans comes next, as several Cadet Paratroopers jump from a helicopter, delivering the game ball and flags to Michie Stadium. Once the parachuters arrive, the Army football team takes the field, accompanied by the Army Rabble Rousers, mascots, American flag, and the week’s unit flag. Every week the team honors a different unit by wearing their patch on the game jerseys. As the team takes the field, they head over to the cadet seating section, where the team and fans salute each other before the game begins. The energy level does not wane throughout the game, thanks in large part to the efforts of the cadets who pack the east stands dressed in fatigues. The sight of 4,000 cadets standing throughout the game is a sight to behold. Every score by the Army team sets off a celebration, which includes the firing of the cannon located on the far shore of Lusk Reservoir, and the cheerleading squad taking the field to do push-ups. The greater the score of the game, the more push-ups the squad must perform. Neighborhood 4 The town of West Point is a small, quaint town of under 7,000 residents. Located about an hour’s drive north of New York City, the town of West Point is dominated by the Military Academy. Fans traveling from out of town will find no shortage of places to stay in the towns surrounding the Academy. Beyond the Military Academy, the Hudson Valley area surrounding West Point is a favorite spot in the fall to take in some incredible foliage. Bear Mountain State Park is a destination for hiking and other outdoor activities, and tours of the West Point campus are popular with sports fans and history buffs alike. Fans 5 Fans at Army football games are a mix of cadets, families, veterans, and football fans. Visiting fans travel from across the country to take in an Army football game, and it’s not unusual to find yourself sitting among families of cadets featuring generations of army vets from all over the country. Even if there was not a single civilian football fan in attendance, Michie Stadium would still rate well in this category due solely to the outstanding presence of the student body. The cadets, over 4,000 strong, pack the east stands and bring constant noise and energy to the stadium. The cadets stand throughout the game, taking a break only at halftime. The cadet section is so entertaining that at times it is easy to be so distracted as to forget all about the action taking place on the field. Access 4 With West Point’s rural location and necessary security measures, expect entering the Academy to take a little extra time. All things considered, the security measures in place can hardly be considered intrusive. Parking lots are scattered throughout the campus, some of which are located some distance from Michie Stadium. Lots are color coded, with different roads providing access to the different colored lots. Detailed directions can be found here. Numerous shuttles roam the campus taking fans from their respective lots to Michie Stadium. With the West Point campus located only 50 miles from New York City, there are no shortage of methods to arrive at the Army Academy. If driving, the campus is near I-87 and the Palisades Parkway. Bus service is available from the New York City Port Authority to the West Point Visitors Center, and rail service is available from Grand Central Station to Garrison, NY, right across the Hudson River from the campus. For fans looking for a unique method of transportation to an Army football game, ferries depart from greater New York to the West Point campus every game day. The seating area at Michie Stadium consists entirely of bleacher seating without backs. Seat cushions and chairbacks are available for rental. While walking around the stadium it is clear to see that it was expanded in a piecemeal fashion, as the different sections do not flow seamlessly. There are concourses underneath the stands in parts of the stadium, but to get around one must navigate a walkway located at the front of the seating bowl. If sitting in the first few rows, expect your view to be blocked by a steady stream of pedestrians. Opt for seats a little higher up for a better view. There are many concession stands and restrooms located throughout the stadium, and dare I say that lines move with military precision throughout the game, even at halftime. Still, many fans try and avoid these areas during these peak times. Unfortunately, getting back to your vehicle after the game can be most problematic. There are marked areas around the stadium at which fans can take shuttle buses back to their respective parking lots. With the limited roads around the stadium and the crush of fans all trying to get out simultaneously, the system bogs down easily. With the age of Michie Stadium and the organized nature of the Army, one might think the system would work more smoothly. With only a few ways off the base, departing your parking lot may also take a little while. Be sure to give yourself enough time to leave West Point after the game. Return on Investment 4 Army football utilizes variable pricing for their home games, with prices ranging from $35 to $50 for upper level or corner seats. Lower level seats range in price from $45 to $55. Parking in the various lots around campus costs $15 when purchased in advance, and $20 on game day. Purchasing in advance increases your odds of parking in a lot closer to Michie Stadium. Extras 5 Few, if any, sports venues in the country can match the history and pageantry that go along with a football game at West Point. First time visitors to Michie Stadium should be sure to set aside enough time to tour some of the campus, and to be sure to be inside the stadium in time to catch the pregame festivities. Visiting this area during the fall when the leaves are changing color makes for a most breathtaking view, and it’s no wonder that the area is a popular destination this time of year. From the pregame paratroopers dropping from the sky to deliver the game ball to the finale, where both teams gather in front of their respective fan bases to sing their fight songs, an Army football game is full of traditions that just cannot be found elsewhere. It is truly a special place in the world of college football. Final Thoughts “There is nothing like being at Michie Stadium on the banks of the Hudson River with the leaves changing during the third weekend in October. The scenery is incredible. And how about the inspiration drawn from being at such a historic landmark? You see the statues of MacArthur, Patton and Eisenhower. Then on game day morning, you have the pleasure of witnessing the Cadet Parade. And how about when the cadets sing ‘On Brave Old Army Team’? That is an unbelievable moment.” –Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com “West Point is all about chills, goosebumps and sentimentality. When you enter one of the Academy’s four gates, be prepared for a battle of the senses that is sure to be fought on several emotional levels. Army is power and strength, patriotism and pride, sad memories and hope-presented in a pastoral masterpiece.” –The Sporting News It’s almost surreal how the two disparate worlds of the military and typical college life intersect here at Michie Stadium. Take away the military fatigues and the historic surroundings, and those cadets dancing in the Black Knights Alley could be just another group of 18-22 year old students at State U. That group of cadets cheering on a young boy trying to reach the summit of the inflatable rock wall are just trying to enjoy a day of harmless distractions away from the responsibilities of the classroom. The difference here is that these young men and women have signed up to defend our nation and are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. Win or lose, one is sure to leave Michie Stadium with a renewed sense of pride and confidence in the future of America. “I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission. I want a West Point football player.” –Gen. George C. Marshall Follow Paul Baker’s Stadium Journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI.