Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57
The Eagles' Nest 1266 Barclay Circle Marietta, GA 30060
Year Opened: 1991
Capacity: 2,200
Run Eagles Run
Known as being one of the top chiropractic schools in the United States, Life University in Marietta, Georgia has also built one of the top men’s basketball programs in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). After the college was founded in 1991 and athletic programs started play, Life men’s basketball wasted no time leaving their mark on the NAIA ranks, winning the men’s 1996 National Championship in just their fifth year of existence – the Eagles would also go on to win two more national championships, specifically back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000.
Originally playing as an NAIA independent program, Life University is now a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference.
Food & Beverage 0
There is a concession stand in the main lobby of The Eagles’ Nest, but despite appearing to be stocked, it was not open during multiple visits; it is unclear if that is due to poor game selections on my part, or if Life University simply chooses not to operate a concession stand during games.
Atmosphere 3
With many programs at the lower end of college basketball’s organizational structure, the facilities are often multi-purpose – The Eagle’s Nest follows a similar pattern where the gym is part of Life University’s student health and wellness center.
That said the gymnasium is rather pedestrian, consisting almost exclusively of plastic bleacher seating with a small section of individual seats at half court, opposite the scorer’s table. Large sections of bleachers also run up each end of the floor along the baseline. LED scoreboards hang from the ceiling in opposite corners of the gym, providing basic time, score, and foul information.
There is not a lot to fill breaks in the action other than an in-house DJ; while this might create a stale atmosphere at higher levels, because the basketball games at Life University are not nationally televised games, there are not excessive nor extended timeouts due to commercial breaks, so the game moves along at a steady clip. During the breaks it is not uncommon for fans, mostly students, to gather in groups and dance to the music being played. In addition, throughout the game Life’s mascot, Doc, works the sideline, getting fans to chant “Defense” or simply just get loud.
Neighborhood 3
The Eagle’s Nest is an on-campus facility on the Marietta campus of Life University, which is sandwiched between US Highway 41 to the north and South Cobb Drive to the south. Highway 41 is one of the most heavily populated areas of car dealerships in Cobb County, while South Cobb Drive serves mostly as an artery between eastern and southern Cobb County, in addition to creating the northern boundary of Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
Cobb Parkway has a handful of chain restaurants, so several familiar choices are available. If seeking more unique options, the Barclay Village strip mall at the entrance of Life University’s campus includes a pair of international restaurants that serve Middle Eastern and Venezuelan foods. The popular southern 24-hour breakfast diner, Waffle House, is also in that plaza, and just over a mile up Cobb Parkway is another 24-hour diner, Marietta Diner, which has been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. In the opposite direction, 4-miles to the south, is The Battery Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Braves, which has numerous restaurants as well.
Fans 2
Life University basketball fans do a decent job filling out the bleachers on either side of the court and are into the ebbs and flows of the game. They react as expected to big plays, celebrating three pointers in clutch moments and highlight reel-worthy dunks, and are quick to protest borderline calls with typical home court jeers.
Even though there does appear to be a designated student section and a decent number of students in attendance, the student body does seem fractured throughout the stands. There are enough that they could create a significant home court advantage, but they just do not seem to be organized enough to create an intimidating environment for visiting teams.
Life University’s basketball schedule does not seem to help much in filling the stands either, as most of their games are either weeknights or early Saturday afternoon games, both of which times can be challenging in attracting fans.
Access 3
Life University’s main entry is directly off US-41 (Cobb Parkway), parallel to Interstate 75 through Atlanta’s northwestern suburbs in Cobb County. The area is commonly known for challenging interstate traffic during the evening rush hour surge. Cobb County Transit does have a stop at the school’s main entrance on Cobb Parkway, but it is probably not the most efficient way to access the campus.
Parking lots are located at both the front and back of the gym – the lot closest to the gym is a bit small, so it may be full for late arrivers. The larger parking area along Barclay Circle does leave a bit of a walk across a skybridge through the tree canopy and over Rottenwood Creek, but that truly is a beautiful stroll. A third, but much smaller, lot is just down the hill from the front doors of The Eagles’ Nest.
Once in the wellness center, doors on both sides of the lobby access seats along the sidelines and baselines. Both sides have enough room to be passable, but do obstruct the view of those sitting in the lower rows of sideline seating. Given the layout of the gym, sitting higher up is no worse of a view than being in the first few rows.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets can be purchased upon entry for $10 or ahead of time online for $7. After accounting for service fees, buying online saves roughly $1.50 for a single ticket, or approximately 5% for each ticket purchased – this price seems to be in the neighborhood of what you would expect at other NAIA basketball games. With no charge for parking and a lack of concessions to be factored in, Life University does provide an affordable college basketball experience.
Extras 3
Life University’s eagle mascot, Doc, remains an active part of the game throughout, making its way around the court interacting with fans.
Life University also makes sure to recognize the accomplishments of their athletic programs with trophy cases proudly displaying championships won from many of the Eagles teams. In addition, a banner hangs from the gym’s rafters recognizing the Eagles three NAIA men’s basketball championships in four years (1997, 1999, and 2000).
A nature trail runs along Rottonwood Creek just outside of the wellness center, and the trail is also home to “The 19th-Century Village”, with an 1800s-style log cabin and grist mill. This area is a nice place simply to escape to for a bit, and explore nature before heading into the gym.
Final Thoughts
The Life University basketball experience is not one that provides a lot by way of extra pizzaz, but the Eagles are often a highly competitive team in the NAIA ranks, so there is a pretty good chance the game itself should be entertaining. Though some of the amenities found at similar sized programs seem to be lacking here, most notably concessions, there is certainly enough surrounding the game at The Eagles’ Nest to keep the interest of even the most passive of basketball fans.
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