Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 UCCU Center 800 W University Pkwy Orem, UT 84058 Utah Valley Wolverines website UCCU Center website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 8,500 Wolverine Valley Located on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, the UCCU Center is a microcosm of UVU itself. The school was known as Utah Valley State College until 2008, when it achieved four-year university status. A year later, UVU became a full Division I member after a seven-year provisional wait. The rapid rise of the program culminated with a naming rights deal for the former David O. McKay Events Center with Utah Community Credit Union in August 2010. Food & Beverage 3 There is a lot of space designated for concessions, but only one window was open for this game. Even so, you can get a lot in just one place. Entree-wise, you have pizza or a teriyaki chicken bowl on the high end ($5.50) followed by a $5 burger combo, a $3.50 BBQ pork sandwich and $3 for a “Chicago Dog.” Snack options include “Nachos Supreme” ($3.50; 50 cents more for extra cheese), not-as-supreme nachos ($3), popcorn, churros, pretzels or a jumbo candy bag (all $2.50) and a candy bar ($1.50). For drinks, you have Pepsi products ($2.50 reg., $3 jumbo), bottled juice, Gatorade or Exude, a locally-made sports drink ($2.50), a can of Rockstar ($2.50), bottled water ($2), milk ($1.50) or coffee ($1). Atmosphere 3 Attending a game at the UCCU Center has nearly all the elements of a quality college basketball experience; a small but supportive crowd, an army of enthusiastic cheerleaders, an interactive mascot in Willy the Wolverine and just the right amount of promotional tie-ins. For whatever reason, though, I felt like there was still something lacking. One is a pep band; the fight song is played over the loudspeaker, which diminishes the collegiate experience. The other, I believe, is beyond UVU’s control: its conference affiliation in the Great West. For starters, the schools are so spaced out (from UVU to the New Jersey Institute of Technology) that there are no natural in-conference rivals for fans to get excited over. Second, NCAA bylaws dictate that the Great West as presently constituted must wait until 2020 to qualify for an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. (The GWC tournament champion does get an automatic bid to the CIT tournament.) Without something more glamorous to play for, the games feel somewhat hollow. Neighborhood 2 UVU is the quintessential commuter college, bordered on the west by Interstate 15 and surrounded by major roadways. That limits, however, the ability to find good, unique eats close by. Unless, that is, you come to a Friday game. In that case, you can eat at Greg’s Restaurant, located in the UCCU Center’s lower level. Greg’s is where UVU’s culinary arts students put their skills to the test with a different cuisine style each week. Be aware that you can only get into Greg’s by reservation. Any other night, you’ll have to travel up the hill on University Parkway for pre or post-game grub. One unique sandwich shop is The Italian Place (1086 S. State; 2.3 miles away). It prides itself on its Philly cheesesteaks in either half, full or “Monster” sizes. You can either get just “Steak ‘n’ Cheese” or go with the “Steak ‘n’ Everything” with mushrooms, green peppers, onions and tomatoes. If you don’t want steak, they also have pastrami, turkey and ham sandwiches available. You can also get your steak or turkey in a salad, if you wish. Fans 3 As with any college team, the fan critique begins with the student section. UVU’s is named the MAWL (Mighty Athletic Wolverine League). You can’t miss them thanks to the giant MAWL banner overhead and the MAWL logo on the court in front of them. About 15 students were in place at tip-off, a number which about doubled midway through the first half. Almost each one was decked out in his or her green MAWL t-shirt, a positive sign the students were engaging themselves. I was surprised, though, that the MAWL didn’t make noise when the opponent had the ball until cued by the cheerleaders. The rest of the 1,313 in attendance did the right things at the right times, but UVU’s game-long domination kept things mostly mellow. One fan behind me seemed determined to be the loudest person in the arena on foul shots. Most of the time he had no competition, instead garnering looks and laughs from most of his fellow fans. Access 4 The lot closest to the UCCU Center costs $3 to get into. There are a vast number of student parking spaces nearby, but the hours of enforcement aren’t clearly marked, so park in those at your own risk depending on game day and time. Each end of the concourse has a set of perhaps the largest bathrooms I’ve seen in an arena. Even at full capacity, you have plenty of width to maneuver your way through without any hassle. Return on Investment 3 All of the components of a quality game experience were in place, but the feeling surrounding the program (and, thus, its home) isn’t as energized as it could be if UVU were in a different league. UVU has done well throughout its time in the Great West, but I believe a change of scenery would bring more life in the program. As a result, the UCCU Center experience would become more valuable and worthwhile to both the casual and rabid Wolverine fan. Extras 1 One point for UVU’s “lights out” player introductions. Even though it’s a “small-time” program, adding this special touch makes players and fans get that much more excited. Just one small step from small-time to big-time. Final Thoughts As UVU continues to carve out its niche in the Utah sports scene, the UCCU Center has the potential to become a consistently exciting venue. The best-case scenario is if UVU becomes a member of an established conference such as the WAC (as has been rumored) and establishes significant natural rivalries. That combination would significantly elevate both the program and its home. In other words, a good experience now is on the brink of becoming great soon. Editors Note: Utah Valley Wolverines have since moved to the WAC (Western Athletic Conference).

Photo Courtesy of Bucknell Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium 701 Moore Ave Lewisburg, PA 17837 Bucknell Bison website Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 13,100 Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, Home of the Bucknell Bison There are few things better than taking a drive through the rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania on a cool autumn day for some football. In the middle of scenic Lewisburg is Bucknell University, and the Bison play football at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. It has been awhile since the team has seen success as their one and only Patriot League title came in 1996. Though you can find a better overall football and stadium experience at rivals Lehigh and Lafayette a couple hours to the east, a trip to Bucknell is worth a visit to the town and scenic region. Food & Beverage 2 Not too much is offered, and though I would recommend eating in-town before or after the game, there are enough options to keep you full. Hot Dogs ($2.25), Cheeseburgers ($4) and Italian Sausages are the main foods, while the rest are primarily snacks. There was a Pulled Pork Sandwich ($3.75), but it was gross, bad enough for me to throw out. The hot dog I had however was good and filling. It was great seeing a “soup of the day” on the menu as that came in handy for many on a chilly day. There are several drink options available like ice tea, hot chocolate, PowerAde, and fountain soda. Atmosphere 2 Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium isn’t the coziest of venues as a track keeps fans a little further back from the football field. The seating design is a partial horseshoe and that leads to seats in the corners being quite far away. Given that there is not too much of a crowd, nobody sits out here. Bleachers make up most of the seats, while closer to midfield, there are several sections that have small, blue chairs. Sitting on the west side stands (the home side) provides a nice view of some campus buildings along with overhanging trees. A great touch was at the south end of the stadium, where landscaping was filled in during a late-’80s renovation and shrubs were cut so they spell out “Bucknell”. Crowd noise during the game was minimal and though it was nice to have a pep band, they played way too much and could be heard after just about every play in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th quarters. Neighborhood 4 Lewisburg is a quaint borough and worth a stroll through the center of town on Market Street. One could even take a long walk from downtown to Bucknell’s campus. Market Street is charming with several great local places to eat, drink, and hang out. The Lewisburg Hotel is a great place whether going for a nice dinner or out for a drink and a bite at the bar. Another one of the several great options around town is the Town Tavern, a local place more geared towards the bar scene. Fans 2 The amount of fans was lacking when you compare it to similar schools within the Patriot League. The game I attended was both Homecoming and Senior Day. Though the announced paid attendance was over 6,000, I would estimate only 3,000 or so were actually there as only the middle stands (between the 30-yard lines) filled up on one side of the stadium. They were there for support, but I would say most were only mildly interested. The crowd noise during a huge defensive third-down play towards the end of the game did not generate much more noise than what you would hear at other points in the game. Access 2 Bucknell and the stadium is easy to get to as it is right off of U.S. Route 15. If you’re coming from Interstate 80, the trip is only about 10 minutes down Route 15. It takes a little longer if you’re arriving from the south and using the Pennsylvania Turnpike or I-81. The biggest problem with the stadium experience here is the total lack of direction when it comes to parking. There is nobody directing you where to go when you arrive at the stadium and no signage either. So, you are forced to drive around looking for parking on a campus that is limited in that regard. I ended up in a lot behind Fraternity Row, hoping it was fine to park there. Even looking online, the parking map gives you no direction as it only displays the locations of certain tailgates. As for bathrooms, though there is only two of each, they are surprisingly spacious and halftime didn’t feature any lines for men or women. Return on Investment 4 A Bison football game is very affordable with a general admission ticket going for $8 and a reserved seat only $10. Combine that with free parking and cheap concessions, a football afternoon in Lewisburg is quite reasonable. The quality of football and atmosphere may not be great, but it’s worth spending a serene fall afternoon in Bucknell and Lewisburg. Extras 1 Right at the main entrance of the stadium is a stand-alone plaque recognizing and describing Christy Mathewson, whom the stadium is named after. Mathewson was a Bucknell alum who went on to become part of the first class entered into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Additionally, famous Bison coaches are honored with similar plaques and descriptions in the landscaped area towards the South end zone.

Photos by Paul Derrick, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 NRG Stadium One Reliant Park Houston, TX 77054 Texas Bowl website NRG Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 71,795 A Look at the Texas Bowl Originally called the Texas Bowl back in 2006, Meineke became the title sponsor for 2011, changing the name of the bowl to the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. Since 2010 the bowl has been played between middle tier Big 10 and Big 12 schools, with the 2011 game pitting the Northwestern Wildcats against the Texas A&M Aggies. The game is hosted at NRG Stadium which is home of the NFL Houston Texans and is a more than ample location for a bowl game. The Bowl advocates have been pretty good about hosting one of the local Texas Big 12 schools for this game which always makes for a pretty good size crowd. Food & Beverage 3 When you head to NRG Stadium for the Texas Bowl you will notice that not as many stadium concessions are open as there are at the Texans games, however there are still plenty of options. You will find an array of options from chopped beef sandwiches, nachos grande, corn dogs, hamburgers, etc., as well as a variety of Coca-Cola products and alcoholic beverage choices. Unfortunately for fans the prices don’t decrease any for this game from the NFL prices so expect to fork out some dough if you’re real hungry or thirsty. Atmosphere 4 Even though the Texas Bowl is between two teams in the middle of the pack in their conferences that doesn’t take anything away from the atmosphere. The atmosphere for the game is great and even though NRG Stadium might be a tad big for this type of game, the closed roof helps keep the noise in making for a rowdy location. Since College Station is only an hour and a half from Houston, Aggie fans were there in abundance and made this game almost a home game for the Aggies. The atmosphere may not be BCS bowl quality but it makes the Texas Bowl definitely worth checking out. Neighborhood 5 Houston is the biggest city in Texas and 4th largest city in the United States and definitely provides an ample amount of options for things to do. NRG Stadium may not be in downtown Houston like its Houston siblings Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center but there are still plenty of great options nearby. My favorite nearby option is Ruchi’s which is an excellent Tex-Mex place located off of Main. They give you a great amount of food and at a fair price. I highly recommend Ruchi’s fajitas and guacamole which I think is some of the best in Houston. A visit to Ruchi’s will definitely not leave you disappointed. Another nearby favorite of mine is Mama’s Oven; if Soul food is your cup of tea then this is your place. Mama’s Oven has all your soul food favorites like pork chops, meat loaf, greens, and sweet potatoes. The prices I think are more than generous and the customer service is always top notch, which makes a trip to Mama’s Oven always worth it. Fans 4 The Texas Bowl selection committee has been good about picking one of the more local Texas teams to play in the bowl since they took over which makes for a Texas size crowd. The 2011 game brought in many of the College Station rowdies making the fan base a majority of Aggies. The fans were great throughout the game cheering on the Aggies and there were even Texas Longhorn fans to play devil’s advocates. Overall the Texas Bowl provides a great fan base, but if you’re a non Texas team be ready for hostile territory. Access 4 NRG Stadium isn’t downtown like its Houston counterparts, but that can be an advantage as traffic is a little less congested. I was pleasantly surprised that traffic for the Texas Bowl was not nearly as bad as it is for Texans games. Parking will cost you anywhere from $10-$25, depending on how close you want to be to the stadium. I recommend getting a parking pass before showing up to ease the decision making process and ensure that you have the spot you want. Return on Investment 3 You will find tickets for the Texas Bowl range anywhere from $25-$100, depending on exactly where you would like to sit at NRG. Luckily for fans, NRG Stadium doesn’t really have any bad seats so I would recommend just paying the $25 for a seat. Unfortunately you’re going to be paying more for parking and food if you plan on consuming anything inside NRG, so you may as well save a bit on the ticket itself. Overall it’s not a real bad deal, but to watch two mid tier teams, I think it is a tad on the expensive side. Extras 2 The Texas Bowl gets one point for hosting their game at NRG Stadium, this place is a must-see beauty for any football fan. My second point goes to the Texas Bowl committee for choosing local Texas teams to play in this bowl; it not only helps the fan base but also makes for a great trip for local alumni. Final Thoughts The atmosphere for the game is great and even though NRG Stadium might be a tad big for this type of game, the closed roof helps keep the noise in making for a rowdy location.

Photos by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadows Corona Park Flushing Meadows, NY 11368 US Open website Billie Jean King National Tennis Center website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 46,900 Aces in the Big Apple The US Open is exactly what it's cracked up to be: the biggest matches on the biggest stage, loud, massive hype, long lines, and best of all, drama under the lights! While steroids in the game of tennis may be illegal, tennis itself is all jacked up on steroids in New York City. In more ways than one, the Open fits in very well with the persona and lifestyle of the city in which it resides. The United States Open is one of four prestigious ATP and WTA Grand Slam events where the winner is awarded 2,000 points towards their overall world ranking. The event is held at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, a spectacular tennis facility, which includes a grand total of 28 hard courts, nuzzled right into Flushing Meadows Park. The heart of the property is Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis specific stadium in the world with a capacity of 23,700. Previous center court, Louis Armstrong Stadium, is just to the east of Ashe and it seats 10,200, with the lower bowl reserved for individual ticket sales. Literally in the shadows of Armstrong, Grandstand Court offers the coziest feel where a fan can seemingly be right in the action. The fourth largest stadium and newest, court 17, will boast the ability to host big matches in a very small area. Grandstand and court 17 have capacities of 6,000 and 3,000 respectively. Most impressively, the facility offers 4 additional small 1,000-seat stadium courts which accommodate good crowds for matches all over the grounds. Food & Beverage 4 There is absolutely no way that a person would have trouble finding a number of delicious options for any meal or time of the day. The selection and variety of food is absolutely spectacular. As you would anticipate, the only issue is the price. One should expect to pay a minimum of $15 per meal, and it can go as high as you can imagine depending on hunger, atmosphere, and classiness. The list of places to eat is never-ending, including: a deli, Chinese, a burger stand, Mexican, a franks stand, seafood, Italian, BBQ, crepes, and ice cream stands everywhere. In addition, they offer public and private, indoor and outdoor, dining plazas, which offer a range of menus. Not sure that you can go thirsty either, with a unique bar, lounge, or patio at every turn, serving unique cocktails only found at the tournament, along with the traditional sodas, water, beer, wine, and even flutes of champagne. Atmosphere 4 Overall, the atmosphere was exactly what I expected except for the monstrosity of the facility. Photos and site maps give you no idea of what it feels like when you're walking the grounds or sitting atop of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Every detail of the tournament is supersized and is given the utmost attention. Even during week two, one will hear uproars of fans from outer match courts where the next big star is battling their way through a dramatic fifth set. This creates a feel of excitement, energy, and everlasting memories. Fans will be hard-pressed to match the paramount of vitality found on the grounds of the US Open. Neighborhood 2 When looking at what directly surrounds the tournament, one will find things very sparse. There is virtually nothing in the direct surroundings of the tournament site other than Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. With that being said, the good news is that the tournament is only a short cab ride outside of Manhattan, New York City, home to thousands of brilliant opportunities to eat, drink, relax, dance, mingle, or to just awe at the aura that is New York life. Fans 5 It can't be expressed enough, this is the most populated sporting event of all sports for a reason. Ultimately, as the players would admit, the fans make this event all that it is. People from every walk of life and nationality come together to dress up, paint signs, scream at the top of their lungs and pump their fist in unison with their favorite player after a huge forehand winner up the line. Giant tennis balls, markers, and autograph frenzies are the highlight of a lifetime even for the biggest kids in attendance. Access 4 The three airports in which you have to choose from are John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, and the closest and most convenient to the tournament, LaGuardia. The access into the park is relatively easy no matter which part of the city you are coming from. If you plan to fly, try to book your flight to New York City as early as possible for cheap flights. The Long Island Rail Road and the Metro 7 are the most cost efficient modes of travel right to the doorstep. Be sure to confirm whether or not your hotel offers a tournament shuttle, extremely convenient. One should be very wary of their surroundings as they travel to and from the facility itself. While the public transit is very safe and monitored, it is important that one does not get too comfortable with those around them. The last option, and least appealing, is driving to the tournament. To put it lightly, driving throughout NYC is not the easiest or relaxing task in the world, however, if you're determined, the parking near the site is respectable. The best options that I would recommend are lot H, lots 1-7, and when there isn't a Mets game, the Citi Field parking areas (all around $20). With the Citi Field option you are able to walk to the East gate very easily, public lots 1-7 have shuttles to the East Gate, and lot H to the South Gate. Here's the link to the Parking Map. The biggest thing that will stand out to the ordinary sports fan once they are ready to find their seat inside Arthur Ashe Stadium is the difficult initial access into the stadium. No matter where your seat is, you will enter through one main gate on the south end of the stadium. From there you will want to figure out just how high you will be taking the escalators. Once you reach your appropriate deck you will look for your gate, which may still be a decent walk depending on which end you are sitting. When it comes to restrooms, be prepared to stand in line (what's new?), but there must be a very large deficit in number of restrooms compared to the number of fans on site. This becomes extremely inconvenient and this is where the deduction comes from. Bottom line, if you are expecting to get from your hotel to your seat in time for the match give yourself a minimum of an hour and a half or more, especially on your first journey to the facility (you'll want plenty of time for trial and error, moments to stop and say "WOW", explore, get food and drinks, enter the stadium, and most of all to wait in lines at every step). Return on Investment 3 Even though tennis fans have come to expect high prices overall for the sport, I'm not sure if you're getting the most for your money here. The cheapest ticket to get you in the gate is a grounds pass for $60, which doesn't get you into Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, for only an extra $10-$20, you can sit in the upper decks of Ashe and still get access to all of the other courts on site. The last option to the general public is a ticket to Louis Armstrong Stadium in the lower bowl for around $100. This has pros and cons. While it's more expensive than a nosebleed seat in Ashe, it does get you a reserved seat very close to the top action, but it's also substantially pricier than a grounds pass, which gives you similar access. The biggest problem of all with paying the big bucks for tickets to Armstrong is that since it's such a dated facility, the access is tough with large crowds, and the legroom at the seats is very difficult with long legs. It's all about preference and which court your favorites are playing on during each session. Food and beverage prices inside the grounds of the tournament reflect those of similar products in NYC, very high. Depending on how long you plan to spend at the tournament each day may impact which meals you plan to eat in advance. However, the tournament offers excellent cuisine, I recommend giving it a try. Similarly to everything else, the souvenirs are very pricey. Having said that, the selection of retail outlets within the grounds is unbelievable. In addition to the official tournament souvenir booths, there are at least 30 more individual vendors scattered about. It all depends on what you're looking for and what you're willing to spend, you'll find more than you can afford for sure! Bottom line here: if you plan to spend a few days at the tournament, budget your funds wisely, and be sure to spend at least one session in Ashe, you won't regret it. Extras 5 Unlike similar Grand Slam events, tickets are fairly easy to obtain in advance through multiple outlets online and at the ticket office. The Smash Zone presented by the USTA is an air-conditioned indoor facility designed specifically to promote tennis and entertainment to kids of all ages. The facility includes a half court, table tennis, photo opportunities, tennis video games, and contests and giveaways of all sorts. The inner-kid is sure to come out in anyone upon entering this wonderful area. The Court of Champions and Avenue of Aces are the two phenomenal main entryways in which you have the opportunity to observe as you enter and exit the park. Each celebrates examples of the deep history that this tournament has to offer. It's worth spending a few minutes to learn a thing or two. In addition to the food village there are numerous shaded courtside patios where one can enjoy a cold cocktail and some tennis. These make for a very unique tennis experience, unlike any other. Final Thoughts Whether you're a tennis enthusiast, a club player, or you can only name a few of the top players, you will get goose bumps and gain an even higher appreciation for the sport after attending a match in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Overall, the US Open is a spectacular event and a definite addition to your bucket list.

Photos by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Wake Forest Tennis Center 100 W 32nd St Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Winston-Salem Open website Wake Forest Tennis Center website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 3,400 Tennis Tailgating In the many years that I've followed tennis I never would have thought I'd see people tailgating before a tennis tournament. I couldn't believe my eyes! However, this was the first of many indications that the people of North Carolina love their tennis. In a span of just under a year, the vision of a pro tennis tournament came to fruition this August in the inaugural Winston-Salem Open, ATP World Tour 250 Professional Tennis Tournament. The brand new Wake Forest Tennis Center facility includes a nice stadium with a capacity of 3,400, 4 additional match courts, and 8 practice courts, totaling 13 courts located on the beautiful campus of Wake Forest University. The new facility will be utilized by the Wake Forest Men's and Women's Varsity Tennis programs for the rest of the year. Food & Beverage 4 The deduction of one point goes solely to the lack of variety. The food that was offered was exceptional, and very classy. Specialty drinks included: strawberry lemonade and southern sweet tea priced at $5, and a range of beer and wine were available from $6-$8. In addition to the classic stadium treats, one could get a chicken or salmon salad ($8), a pulled pork sandwich ($8), or even a whole BBQ turkey leg ($6). Great desserts were on hand ranging from Dippin' Dots and ice cream bars to fresh gelato from $4- $6. With the addition of outstanding customer service and a nice food court with live music, the overall food and beverage experience was excellent. Atmosphere 4 Generally, the atmosphere was wonderful. The facility was very nicely decorated and had a fresh and classy tennis feel. It has a very cozy and quaint feel that larger tournaments could never offer, which I really appreciated. The closeness to the action is incredible. They offered plenty of activities for kids of all ages and some creative promotional events. One included a contest in which fans are encouraged to throw tennis balls from the stands towards trashcans, placed on the courts, and one lucky individual who made it won a prize. In addition, each session included the opportunity for fans to win unique prizes from a raffle. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their time at the tournament. Overall it was a very relaxed but excited crowd of people; clearly amped to have this event in their backyard. Neighborhood 3 While it's not fair to be too hard on the tournament, there is room for improvement in this category. Even though there are some exceptional choices for pre and post match food and drink, there's nothing very close. It is, however, very worth the short ten-minute drive to downtown Winston-Salem where there is a long list of great one-of-a-kind traditional southern style restaurants located. Unfortunately for me, I was only lucky enough to spend one evening in town so I was only able to experience a few of these. A great little spot called 6th and Vine Wine Bar and Cafe offers a very unique atmosphere and a menu loaded with a range of delicious options. In addition to a great menu, they also offered a very extensive wine selection both by the glass and bottle. The best thing about this local favorite is the outdoor back patio, which featured a neat bar and tons of tables to have dinner under the stars. Every weekend the restaurant hosts great local bands with all kinds of southern flavor. Meals range from $9-$26. If you are able to stay for a few days you are encouraged to try other gems located in the downtown Winston-Salem Arts District such as: Finnigan's Wake (Irish), Hutch &Harris; (Continental), Mellow Mushroom (Pizza), Sweet Potatoes (American), Twin City Chop House (Steakhouse), Downtown Thai & Sushi (Thai), or The West End Cafe (American). If you still have some energy after tennis and dinner and would like to catch a bit of the unique W-S nightlife there are a couple of nearby pubs that have a neat feel. Tate's and Noma are two great places to grab a drink and check out the city. All of these options are located in very close proximity to two of the tournament hotels: The Marriott downtown and the Embassy Suites directly across the street; both being exceptional places to stay. There is a Marriott Courtyard within 5 minutes of the tournament site, however, you would miss out on being so close to all of the added entertainment that W-S has to offer. There are three reasonably close airports if you are flying in for the tournament including Piedmont Triad International Airport (33 miles away), Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (87 miles), or Raleigh-Durham International Airport (100 miles). Fans 5 When this tournament was in the early stages of planning, the biggest thing that was mentioned was that the tennis fans in Winston-Salem are like no other, and they deserve an event like this because of their love of the game; I couldn't agree more. During the finals of the event you could hear chants of the crowd's favorite player from miles away. I've never seen an entire stadium pulling for one player as much as I did during this match. People made custom shirts, cried out for him to win, and even professed their love aloud in front of everyone; quite a spectacle. I would have to consider these fans to be some of the best I've ever seen in tennis. Access 5 The access deserves a full score based on proximity and creativity. The construction of the facility was brilliantly placed in the shadows of BB&T; Field, The Wake Forest football stadium. Since the football season and week of the tournament do not coincide, the tournament is able to fully utilize the amenities in which the football stadium offers including: parking, restrooms, ticket office, concession stands, and hospitality areas. Although I found the parking to be a bit steep at first ($10), but later realized that it was more than worth it when you consider the proximity to the facility. The restrooms are first class all around; extremely clean and festively decorated. Return on Investment 5 Surprisingly the only way to buy tickets in advance is through their website and then print it out yourself. If you're old school like me and love the feel of a real ticket as opposed to the print out you won't enjoy this. But, it's the only way to go if you want to attend. I would especially appreciate a real card stock ticket for the price of admission (ranges depending on day of the week: $10-58 for grandstand level and $575-625 for lower level box seats only sold in week long increments). Also I didn't really appreciate paying $58 for upper level finals tickets which are tight benches. For most tennis tournaments you get spoiled and expect permanent seats. Maybe for next year they will install something more comfortable. Food and drinks, however, were priced very similarly to other ATP World Tour events of its kind, which is very common. Other souvenirs such as programs ($5), t-shirts ($25), and jackets ($45) were reasonably priced for the quality you receive. Extras 3 All staff and volunteer members were extraordinarily helpful, professional, and outgoing; everyone from the ticket-takers to the concessionaires to the ball kids to even the tournament director taking the time to stand out front and thank visitors for coming. Overall, the event is tremendously fan oriented and it shows in every aspect. Final Thoughts Whether you're from the Triad, NC area or hundreds of miles away, I would highly suggest visiting this beauty of an event for a relaxed but exciting getaway. The city of Winston-Salem clearly takes great pride in the event and you will undoubtedly notice the effort and have a great tennis experience.

Photo Courtesy of GoZags.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Patterson Baseball Complex E Spokane Falls Boulevard and N Cincinnati St Spokane, WA 99202 Gonzaga Bulldogs website Patterson Baseball Complex website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 1,300 The Little Brother to Gonzaga Basketball Gonzaga baseball finally found a home on its native campus with Patterson Field, opening for the 2007 baseball season after the previous stadium had been torn down in 2003. The new stadium is located on the very southeastern tip of the Gonzaga campus. Despite Gonzaga baseball doing exceptionally well in the past few seasons, often being ranked in the low 20’s in national standings, the program has never had the same love and attention that Gonzaga’s basketball program has. Gonzaga baseball continually finds itself in the shadow of the Bulldog’s big successes in basketball ; Gonzaga students focus so much on the culture and hype surrounding basketball that the baseball team is often neglected entirely. However, this is not all bad news. Gonzaga baseball has quickly become a favorite for locals in the area as Spokane doesn’t have its own major league team. For many fans, Gonzaga fills that role. As a result, even without a large student presence, games are often packed with dedicated and enthusiastic fans who make the experience fun and unique and perfect for a family outing. Food & Beverage 3 While Patterson shows its strength in many ways, food is not one of them. Meal options here never stray from standard baseball fare. A meal here will run you about $5-$8 as most of the food is reasonably priced. A small food window on the lower floor of the stadium offers hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, nachos, pizza, candy and sodas. However, there is a great little kettle korn stand run by a few Spokane locals that sets up shop inside the fenced area of the stadium and delivers a good snack for a reasonable price. Atmosphere 3 Patterson Field is more than adequate as a baseball stadium but nothing to write home about. Ten rows of seating run around the field from first base to just before third base and can seat about 1,300 people. However, from third base running all the way to the end of the field is a nice, well manicured lawn where families with younger kids often bring a picnic and watch the game while enjoying a lunch on the grass. Its a nice touch to an otherwise average field. There is little in the way of entertainment between innings aside from the occasional commentary from the announcers. Neighborhood 3 Patterson Field is situated on the very southeastern tip of Gonzaga’s campus and rests right on the outskirts of one of Spokane’s industrial districts. While it’s clear from the moment you arrive that you are on a college campus, it’s far from the heart of Gonzaga and sits in the looming shadow of Gonzaga’s basketball stadium, making it feel as if Patterson was a bit more of an afterthought than anything. If the food here doesn’t suit your fancy, there are several great options located just a few blocks north of the ballpark where you can grab a quick bite before or after the game. Jack and Dan’s, a long running sports bar and a local Gonzaga favorite is just a quick walk up the street and is a great place for a beer. Fans 4 While students at Patterson may not show the same enthusiasm they have for the basketball program, the local fans here are as good and enthusiastic as you can find at any other top tier college baseball venue. The stadium is rated to hold 1,300 people, but even on a good day the ballpark sees roughly half of that. The stadium is usually filled with easy going fans and families looking for a fun afternoon outing. Passionate supporters of both the home and away teams come to cheer and cheer loudly and generally make the experience more enjoyable. The weather at the beginning of the season can often be brutally cold, but the local Spokanites are seasoned veterans of harsh Eastern Washington winters and regularly brave the cold to see their favorite baseball team play. Access 4 Just a short drive out of downtown Spokane, Patterson Field is as centrally located as it gets. With a free parking lot built for the basketball stadium just next door, parking is never an issue. The entrance to the stadium sits just on the edge of the parking lot, making the entire trip from home to ballpark as easy as possible. Return on Investment 4 While tickets are always free for Gonzaga students, a trip to Patterson will run you $5 for every adult and $3 for kids. All seating is general admission so everything is on a first come, first served basis. Compared to other venues, this is a steal. An entire outing for a family of four can cost as little as $16, making it clear why Gonzaga baseball is a Spokane favorite. If you are looking for a fun, inexpensive family outing, Patterson Field is a great place to come and watch an up and coming baseball team. Extras 2 There is a nice kiosk for Gonzaga baseball apparel that sells shirts, hats, jackets and the occasional pair of socks. Prices are reasonable and the options are similar to anything you might find from rival teams. There is a great walking/biking path that goes from downtown right to the stadium that can make getting to the ballpark a fun day trip just by itself.