Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
Titan Gym 800 North State College Blvd Fullerton, CA 92834
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.
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