http://www.stadiumjourney.com Reviews of sporting venues across the globe. 2011 Stadium Journey LLC All rights reserved. http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/fXTBLehDWK4/westman-place-s1045 The arena for the Western Hockey League Brandon Wheat Kings is called the Westman Communications Group Place, a mouthful of a corporate name, which is a 6,042 seat arena built as part of a larger convention/exhibition complex called the Keystone Centre. It was built in 1972 and has undergone numerous renovations.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:49:49 GMT Andrew Kulyk http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/westman-place-s1045 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/dPchEPg8yzQ/general-motors-centre-s1042 Industry has made its way into the naming of sports franchises a few times. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers come to mind where the teams were named after the workers of the main industries of the city: meat packers and steel workers, respectively. Add to that the Oshawa Generals. Located 60 km east of Toronto, Oshawa has been the Canadian headquarters of General Motors, including their main manufacturing plant, for over 100 years. The Oshawa Generals were founded in 1937 and named after their main sponsor. In 1953, Oshawa's Hambly's Arena caught fire and left the Generals homeless and disbanded. Fast forward to 2012, and the Oshawa Generals are alive and well. Upon arriving at the sparkling new General Motors Centre, I was told that there was a high school in Oshawa named after hockey legend Bobby Orr. I was perplexed by this idea, as Orr played his professional hockey in Boston and is from the Northern Ontario town of Parry Sound. Orr did play 3 years of junior hockey in Oshawa, but I didn't think that was a big deal. "Bobby Orr is a god here." When Bobby Orr was 14 years old, he was discovered and heavily recruited, and eventually signed by the Boston Bruins. In 1962, Orr was to be the centrepiece of a plan to rebuild the Oshawa Generals, as well as a new arena, which would eventually be the Oshawa Civic Auditorium. General Manager Wren Blair discovered Orr, and negotiated with the Boston Bruins the idea of the team owning a second junior team. (they already owned the team in Niagara Falls). Eventually, the Bruins would agree and Bobby Orr would play with some very successful Oshawa General teams between 1962 and 1966, after which he began his legendary career with the Boston Bruins. The Generals have been successful over the years, and become one of the most stable franchises in the OHL. In 2006, they left the Oshawa Civic Auditorium to the brand new, city owned, General Motors Centre, which is currently the second-newest building in the OHL. The Generals are currently owned by Rocco Tullio, star Adam Graves, and current New Jersey Devils head coach Peter DeBoer. In 2012, they celebrated 75 years of junior hockey, and look to continue their success.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:44:58 GMT Dave Cottenie http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/general-motors-centre-s1042 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/cauHepOxcvs/mts-centre-s955 Sometimes the Hockey Gods get it right. The Winnipeg Jets, one of the mainstay NHL franchises brought over from the old WHA, was brutally ripped away from this community in 1996. Despite broad fan support and a culture that was ravenous about hockey, financial problems exacerbated by a then weak Canadian dollar, coupled with the leagueâ??s â??Southern Strategyâ?? to base more teams in the southern USA, doomed the Jets to Phoenix. But the dream here never died. The community built the new MTS Centre in downtown Winnipeg to replace the old and dated Winnipeg Arena. A new AHL franchise, the Manitoba Moose, began play here. Grassroots support grew and grew for the return of the NHL. The dreams were realized in the 2011 offseason, when the Atlanta Thrashers were bought and relocated here. The Winnipeg Jets are back again. All seems right with the world.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:26:04 GMT Andrew Kulyk http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/mts-centre-s955 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/VkKFG20-vLY/auburn-arena-s590 Throughout the years, Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum was the home of the Auburn Tigers. The arena usually saw the Tigers win and was home to many memorable events, ranging from basketball games to concerts to graduations. As time passed, however, the Coliseum became old and Auburn knew it had to build a new home soon or else their current home would collapse right on top of them at some point. Thusly, after an emotional goodbye to Beard-Eaves, the Tigers headed to Auburn Arena, the SECâ??s most technologically-advanced coliseum. The Tigersâ?? new home includes an upper deck, a museum and other forms of sports entertainment.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:13:32 GMT Nathan Deal http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/auburn-arena-s590 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/NPzOCk0CuYA/goggin-ice-center-s1043 Hidden in a rural part of southwestern Ohio sits one of the jewels of college hockey. Steve Cady Arena (named after the programâ??s first coach), part of the Goggin Ice Center, has helped to signify the maturation of a hockey program that, though it has existed since 1978, managed only 3 NCAA tournament visits before the opening of their new facility in 2006. Since then, Miami has turned into a powerhouse, currently on a stretch of six consecutive NCAA tourneys. Not just a hockey arena, the home of â??the brotherhoodâ?? is an important piece of this college community.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:58:18 GMT Brandon Gee http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/goggin-ice-center-s1043 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/TCxwjZalUOc/landon-arena-s1044 The Topeka Roadrunners of the NAHL call Landon Arena at the Kansas Expocentrre home. Built in 1987, Landon has a 10,000 seat capacity, but fills up at 7,777 for hockey. Landon Arena is also home to the Kansas Koyotes Indoor Football team.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:30 GMT Jack Winter http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/landon-arena-s1044 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/CMeYJPNxeO0/bridgestone-arena-s49 Many critics said hockey couldn't survive in the South back in 1998 when the Nashville Predators joined the NHL, but the great Predators fans have proven them wrong. When you attend a hockey game at Bridgestone Arena, you get a unique NHL game experience. When Bridgestone Arena is at a packed house of just over 17,000, there are few places louder or more intimidating in the NHL. It gives the Predators a valuable home-ice advantage that some teams aren't lucky enough to enjoy.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:51:41 GMT Chad Minton http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/bridgestone-arena-s49 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/vBTzD0T3aZI/the-pavilion-s827 The Pavilion at ARC is a beautiful facility on the campus of UC Davis,  15 miles west of Sacramento. The "at ARC" addition to the name happened when the school finished the attached the Activities & Recreation Center, where many students go to get their daily work out in. When walking up to the box office at The Pavilion, the ARC looks far more imposing. The windowed walls reveal an elevated track, a climbing wall, and table tennis, as well as opportunities for many other activities. Back in 1977, the then Recreation Hall, opened its doors for intercollegiate and intramural competition. Though the Aggies recently began play in Division I, the basketball team was Division II National Champions in 1998. Since joining the NCAA's top division they have had mixed success. They are currently struggling through a season in which they've only registered one win. Perhaps the most infamous event held at The Pavilion is the yearly Doxie Derby, held on the school's "Picnic Day". Thousands of spectators crowd into The Pavilion to watch the lovable dachshunds during the most popular day-drinking day of the year for students, residents, and fun-seekers. Officially it's the campus' open house, a day for parents to come and visit with their kids and for prospectus students to check out the school.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:09:14 GMT Ryan Norris http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/the-pavilion-s827 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/hOtVX5anvjQ/michael-j-hagan-arena-s726 Hagan Arena, short for Michael J. Hagan â??85 Arena, opened for the 2009-10 season after the expansion and renovation of the Alumni Memorial Field House. Hagan Arena now seats 4,200 â?? an increase of 1,000 seats. The arena is home to the St. Josephâ??s Hawks menâ??s basketball team. St. Josephâ??s has a strong basketball tradition which includes 19 appearances in the NCAA basketball tournament, and one Final Four appearance (1961).   Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:17:43 GMT Andrew Van Cleve http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/michael-j-hagan-arena-s726 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/ek1fTneG2wY/americanairlines-arena-s100 "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach." Never before in sports history have nine words had such a profound effect on a franchise. On July 8, 2010, in front of a national television audience, free-agent phenom LeBron James uttered those nine life-changing words. He instantly became the most polarizing force in all of sport, and changed the perception of the Miami Heat forever. The Heat are not a franchise that have been around that long. An expansion team in 1988 along with the former Charlotte Hornets, the Heat have seen success in their limited time in the NBA. Currently owned by heir to the Carnival Cruise Line empire, Micky Arison, the Heat have always been driven by star power, and have a 2006 NBA Champion banner to show for their efforts. Success with the Heat has always been linked with the amount of star power, and if you think about it, the Heat fits Miami's personality: glitzy, showy, glamorous â?? all about the optics. Star power has shown itself in many ways, whether it was bringing in a flashy coach or executive like Pat Riley, growing their own star like Dwayne Wade, making a big trade for a star like Shaquille O'Neal, or a big glitzy, fog machine enhanced free-agent signing like Chris Bosh and LeBron James. The Heat fit Miami like a custom-made glove. The Heat show off their glitz and glamor at the AmericanAirlines Arena, or Triple- A to the locals. Opening in 1999, the AAA is fairly unique in that it only houses an NBA team while the local NHL team, the Florida Panthers, play in a different venue all together. (Other similar situations include the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons; Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Timberwolves; and Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Coyotes). Although this is not typically a great recipe for success for either the teams or the counties that usually own the buildings, the Heat have continued in this fashion, and would arguably be more of a financial success than their cross-county hockey brothers. The Triple-A is owned by a local board known as the Miami Sports and Entertainment Authority, and do not charge the Heat to use the building.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:27:06 GMT Dave Cottenie http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/americanairlines-arena-s100 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/jPmeldLork4/cintas-center-s835 The Cintas center is a 10,250 seat multipurpose arena located just west of I-71 in the heart of the Xavier University campus. This $46 million arena, primarily serves as the home to the Xavier menâ??s and womenâ??s basketball teams, as well as the schoolâ??s volleyball team. In addition to athletics, the complex has seen its fair share of big concerts, speakers, conventions and other corporate events, trade shows, commencements, and even weddings. The facility can be easily transformed to accommodate any size event. This state-of-the-art venue opened its doors in 2000 and features some of the most innovative and ahead of its time amenities. In addition to the arena itself, the center provides a full size practice gym, training room, and strength and conditioning room available not only for varsity athletes, but students as well. The center is also home to the majority of the athletic offices and a fully functional conference center. Read on to find out what makes this much more than a nice gathering complex.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:26:52 GMT Conrad Klank http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cintas-center-s835 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/PDAOLzwijA0/peter-w-stott-center-s815 Located in the heart of Portland State University, the Peter Stott Center is home to several Vikings athletic teams including Men's and Women's Basketball as well as volleyball. Surrounded by trees, a multipurpose field, a library and multiple lecture halls, it definitely has the feel of a campus environment. It opened in 1966, and has seen crowds reach near 3,000, which is surprisingly large for its 2,000 seat capacity. There are plans for a new athletic facility, and a new building is under construction, but it is uncertain when the teams will official move locations.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:52:58 GMT Alex Shoemaker http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/peter-w-stott-center-s815 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/KNruR7EYVKg/donald-reynolds-center-s573 The Donald W. Reynolds Center is home to the University of Tulsaâ??s Golden Hurricane basketball and volleyball teams in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The multi-purpose arena is 138,000 square feet and was first built in 1998. The 8,355-seat capacity of the arena makes it the sixth-largest basketball arena in Conference USA.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:22:17 GMT Bradlee Ross http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/donald-reynolds-center-s573 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/kt1C_cg9lo0/compuware-arena-s1041 The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is a premier league for young up-and-coming talent, as well as a hotbed for hard core hockey junkies. You can expect to find some of the most knowledgeable fans in hockey when you attend an OHL game, whether you are in Ontario, or visiting one of the three US-based teams. Plymouth, Michigan is just a stoneâ??s throw north of Ann Arbor and a half hour west of Detroit. It is in Plymouth, at Compuware Arena, where you will find one of the two teams in the state of Michigan offering OHL games during the winter months. Compuware Arena is one of those great little hockey arenas, perfectly sized for an OHL game. The Plymouth Whalers were originally known as the Detroit Whalers, but changed their name a year after the move to Plymouth. The Whalers won the OHL championship in 2007, their lone title in 20+ seasons of existence. The team is owned by Peter Kamanos, who is also the owner of the NHLâ??s Carolina Hurricanes. The team can boast to have sent 48 players along to the NHL. You are bound to see some future NHL talent when you attend a Plymouth Whalers game.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:32:38 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/compuware-arena-s1041 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/rWP0AGmHN2A/mcguirk-arena-s842 In 2010, Central Michigan Universityâ??s Rose Center became McGuirk Arena after the completion of a renovation which included a new exterior, redesigned seating, a practice facility, and a student fitness center. McGuirk Arena is named for the McGuirk family who own real estate properties in Mt Pleasant and made a $2.5 million donation to help fund the project. The facility seats 5,300 fans with the majority of the seating being maroon plastic chairs, but the top 10 rows are plastic bleachers. The most unique feature of McGuirk Arena is that there is no center court overhang scoreboard, which makes for a very clean view of the action of the court.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:57:27 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/mcguirk-arena-s842 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/mXHP8T4vWLg/peterborough-memorial-centre-s1040 Not since goaltender Denis Lemieux asked the famous question, in his thick French accent, "Who owns de Chiefs?" has a question stumped hockey fans around the world. Who owns the Peterborough Petes? Now this is not "Slapshot." (BTW if you have yet to see the movie Slapshot, what are you waiting for?) The answer to this question is complicated and perplexing. Nobody owns the Petes. The Peterborough Petes, are the oldest, continually running franchise in the OHL. Founded in 1956, after a previous life as the Kitchener Canucks, the Petes are steeped in tradition, and have a who's-who of hockey legends that have graced their halls. There is no team, outside of the Green Bay Packers, that have as strong a tie to the community as the Petes do. Nobody owns the Petes. The Petes are a not-for-profit organization that is run by a Board of Directors. I guess, technically the Pete's are owned by the six-member board. However, the board takes no profits, and members take no salary, and it would probably take an act of God to get them out of the Central Ontario city. The former owner of the Petes, the Montreal Canadiens, left the team in the hands of the Board of Directors. The Petes alumni list is littered with hockey legends. Their coaches alone include legends Scotty Bowman, Roger Neilson and Mike Keenan. The Petes also boast 4 members of the Hockey Hall of Fame as players. They include Larry Murphy, Bob Gainey, Steve Yzerman and Wayne Gretzky, who played 3 games for the Petes as an emergency call-up before being drafted by Sault Ste. Marie.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:39:54 GMT Dave Cottenie http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/peterborough-memorial-centre-s1040 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/ORV3-AprzNg/james-h-hilton-coliseum-s850 Believe it or not, despite seeming a little more up-to-date than in-state rival Iowaâ??s Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa Stateâ??s Hilton Coliseum is the oldest Division I menâ??s basketball facility still in use in the state of Iowa, and has been the proud home of Cyclone basketball since 1971. Just like the large, spread out campus surrounding it, over the years Hilton Coliseum has gained a reputation as an unfriendly and tough arena, giving the Cyclones one of the best home court advantages in the state. And while the Cyclones, especially recently, arenâ??t usually thought of as a college basketball dynasty or perennial power, Hilton Coliseum has remained a quality college basketball arena offering Big 12 talent, spirited competition, and a legitimate college basketball atmosphere for a price considerably lower than most of its competitors.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:34:31 GMT Tige Hutcheson http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/james-h-hilton-coliseum-s850 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/1C_ICtg3fY0/raymond-james-stadium-s84 Tampa Bay has had a long, diverse pro football past, from the winless inaugural season and 0-23 start under John McKay to the Super Bowl-winning team under John Gruden. Currently, the team is struggling to find an identity in the marketplace, but that wonâ??t prevent you from having a fantastic time at a Buccaneers game. Raymond James Stadium offers a little bit of everything in a venue such as large open areas for gathering, character touches that offer variety, and an overwhelming sensation that will provide a swashbuckling good time. In being the final stop in my lengthy pursuit to see a pro football game in each NFL venue, Raymond James Stadium lies among my top ten of places to attend a pro football game.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:25:38 GMT Dennis Morrell http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/raymond-james-stadium-s84 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/BXgINux3ZCA/lincoln-financial-field-s80 Lincoln Financial Field is smashed in between several NFL venues built along the East Coast within the past 15 years. But, Lincoln Financial Field puts together the best game day experience for all fan types â?? both those who want to tailgate, those who want to hit a bar or restaurant before the game or those who want to enter the stadium early. Consider this of the four competing East Coast NFL stadiums - MetLife Stadium (built in 2010), Gillette Stadium (built in 2002) and FedEx Field (built in 1997) are built far away from their respective cities. The only option is to tailgate and that is if you are able to buy your way into a parking lot. Plus, food and drinks are expensive once inside. On the contrary, M&T Bank Stadium (built in 1998) is located in downtown Baltimore. Thus, the only pre-game option is to eat at a restaurant before the game unless you know someone who has a parking permit or buy one on the secondary market. However, Lincoln Financial Field gives you the best of both worlds and could be the best NFL venue in the Northeast. There are a handful of bars and restaurants to choose from within the immediate vicinity and, if you want, you can plan a tailgate late Saturday night and actually pay for parking on the day of the game. Plus, food and drinks are relatively cheap once you enter the stadium.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:07:39 GMT Andrew Van Cleve http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/lincoln-financial-field-s80 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/cIPYE7Gvpx4/sports-authority-field-at-mile-high-s66 Mile High Magic used to happen seemingly every weekend at the old Mile High Stadium, as John Elway led the Broncos to unbelievable comebacks over and over again. Yes, for the first 50 years of the Denver Broncos, they called one stadium home, Mile High (originally Bears' Stadium), and so many memories occurred there that fans wish the ancient, rickety, smelly and at times scary behemoth of a stadium still stood and housed their Broncos. Alas, 53 years was too much for the old Mile High, which was originally build atop the Denver landfill, and it had to be replaced. And the people of Denver and the surrounding counties built owner Pat Bowlen a football palace, fit for Kings, but what about the peons? Yes, with Sports Authority Field at Mile High comes wider aisles, more bathrooms (especially women's), more amenities in terms of food and drinkâ??but some argue it attracts the wrong crowd. Mile High Stadium offered extremely affordable seatsâ??at $20 apiece for anywhere in the fabled South Standsâ??while New Mile High's seats have priced out blue collar Denver die-hards as the â??wine and cheese crowdâ?? fills the new stadium. Some can be seen chatting on cell phones instead of watching the game, though this is likely true of any major sporting venue these days, while others simply leave before contests are decided. That being said, Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium is a wonderful place to watch a game. Three jumbotrons are smartly located in the South endzone and in the Northeast and Northwest corners, giving any attendee a chance to catch replays easily. Concourses are huge, with a plethora of food and drink vendors and bathrooms, making quick breaks a possibility. And the addition of steel floorsâ??called â??Rocky Mountain Thunderâ??â??are a tribute to Mile High and allow fans to get the new stadium shaking and noisy. In 2011, INVESCO was dropped as the sponsor, and Sports Authority took over. It makes more sense because as â??sportsâ?? is in the name and the Denver-based Gart Brothers was bought by Sports Authority in recent years, bringing it full-circle. Fans seem to be more in favor of the new name, though many still call it either â??New Mile Highâ?? or simply â??Mile High.â?? Facts: The new stadium holds 76,125 fans, just two less than the old one, and due to its massive size, chairs and aisles are wider, making for a better experience for fans. In its first 10 years of existence, SAF at Mile High has hosted three NFL playoff games, with the Broncos going 2-1, including the overtime thriller versus Pittsburgh on January 8, 2012. The stadium also hosted Barack Obama's 2008 Democratic National Convention in which 84,000 people were in attendance.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:24:26 GMT Rich Kurtzman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/sports-authority-field-at-mile-high-s66 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/cHt18FjlgzQ/ford-field-s1038 The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is played at Ford Field. The game was originally known as the Motor City, but Little Caesars became in the title sponsor in 2009. The game generally pits a team from the MAC against the 8th bowl eligible Big Ten team. For our 2011 visit, the match-up featured the Purdue Boilermakers and the Western Michigan Broncos.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:25:14 GMT Joshua Guiher http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/ford-field-s1038 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/ECiryg5YzwY/verizon-wireless-arena-s1037 Opened in the year 2001, the 9,852-seat Verizon Wireless Arena is located on the edge of downtown Manchester. The AHL affiliate of the LA Kings, the Manchester Monarchs, is the arenaâ??s main tenant. The University of New Hampshire menâ??s hockey team also typically plays a couple of home games at â??The Verizonâ?? each season, including an annual contest with Dartmouth College.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:39:08 GMT Jeffrey Werner http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/verizon-wireless-arena-s1037 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/pkCgTa_hl4c/sun-life-stadium-s67 There remains only one team in the NFL that can claim to have completed the perfect season. The 1972 Miami Dolphins still get together to crack the champagne once the final NFL team loses. Long gone is the Orange Bowl, now replaced with the new ballpark for the Miami (née Florida) Marlins, but the tradition of Dolphins football lives on. Home for the Dolphins is the former Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphin/Dolphins/Land Shark Stadium currently known as Sun Life Stadium. Built in 1987 as a replacement for the iconic Orange Bowl, Sun Life Stadium has been home for the Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes football team, the Orange Bowl game and until 2011, the Florida Marlins. It has also hosted numerous Super Bowls, National Championships in NCAA football, and will host 2012's version of Wrestlemania. Sun Life Stadium was the project of Dolphins founder Joe Robbie, who worked on the finance deal and had the foresight to insist that it be ready for Major League Baseball years before the Marlins would christen South Florida. Unlike many NFL stadiums, Sun Life Stadium is owned by the current majority owners of the Dolphins, Stephen Ross and Wayne Huizenga. Founded in 1966 by Joe Robbie, the Dolphins have seen moderate success, with 2 Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973 and a total of 5 conference championships. In 1995, the estate of Joe Robbie sold the Dolphins to Wayne Huizenga, who sold the majority share to Stephen Ross in 2009. In moves that seem to be more about star power than anything else, Ross has sold small percentages of the Dolphins to numerous celebrities including Fergie, Venus and Serena Williams, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Jimmy Buffett. The most recent naming rights deal for "the stadium with a thousand names" was a five-year deal signed with Sun Life Insurance Company.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:41:53 GMT Dave Cottenie http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/sun-life-stadium-s67 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/U6SVdR-Dago/angel-stadium-of-anaheim-s1035 While Angel Stadium is predominately known for its MLB tenant, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, it holds a second â??opening dayâ?? each year with its kickoff of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Supercross races are no stranger to Southern California as the name of the sport was coined here when Michael Goodwin held the â??Superbowl of Motorcrossâ?? at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1972. Just four years later (1976), Anaheim would host its first AMA Supercross race with Marty Smith being the inaugural winner. From 2001 through 2010, Anaheim hosted three races per year, with most other cities holding just one. In 2011, Dodger Stadium finally held its first race, and now Angel Stadium holds just two annually, but still currently holds the record for hosting the most AMA Supercross races. An important race it is, as through 2011, the winner of the opening race in Anaheim has gone on to win the AMA Championship 18 times. Jeremy McGrath, Chad Reed, and Josh Grant all scored their first Supercross class wins in Anaheim.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:19:29 GMT Drew Cieszynski http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/angel-stadium-of-anaheim-s1035 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/5dJjuQR9UBI/compton-family-ice-arena-s1036 When you think of Notre Dame, you probably think of football. As well you should. Notre Dame is one of those historic programs with an absolutely historic home in Notre Dame Stadium. You should go see a Notre Dame football game if you ever have a chance. However, Notre Dame hockey is not without its tradition. The founder of the program, as well as the first head coach, was Charles â??Leftyâ?? Smith. Smith guided the program into NCAA Division I play in 1968. Smith sadly passed away in early January 2012, but not before the University decided to honor him by naming the ice at Compton Family Ice Arena, Lefty Smith Rink. Prior to Smith, Notre Dame also maintained a hockey squad that played from 1919-1927, as well as one season in 1912-1913. The program has never won an NCAA championship in hockey, but appearances in the Frozen Four in 2008 and 2010 have raised expectations in South Bend. The new ice and the new $50 million facility are both immaculate, and you can certainly add a trip to Compton Family Ice Arena to your must see list if you are a fan of college hockey. In fact, it may very well be possible to see a football game at Notre Dame Stadium as well as a hockey game in the same day. Check the schedules carefully in October and November.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:12:39 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/compton-family-ice-arena-s1036 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/GGEdalwlJJw/alaska-airlines-arena-s809 Built in 1927 and renovated in 2000, the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion is a staple to University of Washington Athletics. Not to mention a favorite destination for fans across Western Washington. The decade-old renovations not only brought the venue into the modern age, they created a much more intimate experience for every fan who walks through the doors, allowing almost everyone to feel like they're sitting courtside to the ever-exciting U-dub basketball program no matter where they are seated. On the shores of beautiful Lake Washington, it's not exactly hard on the eyes, either. While Washington's basketball program may not be quite what it used to be, there's always demand for a game in Seattle since the Clay Bennett debacle that saw the Sonics leave for Oklahoma City in 2008. The arena still brings in the crowds and hosts legions of loyal fans throughout the winter months, making it not only a great addition to a beautiful campus, but a great (and now one of a kind) experience for basketball fans across the region.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:40:34 GMT Sean Babcock http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/alaska-airlines-arena-s809 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/8GFy-9vSnuU/white-hart-lane-s514 White Hart Lane has been home to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club since 1899 having previously played games on Tottenham Marshes and at Northumberland Park. The land was previously a disused nursery owned by the brewery chain Charringtons. Spurs, as they are more commonly known, were founded in 1882 as Hotspur FC before changing their name to the current title two years later. They were elected to the Football League in 1908 having previously been members of the short lived Southern Alliance (1892/93) and Southern League (1896-1908). At present, the capacity of the stadium is too small for Spurs, but following an unsuccessful bid to take over the 2012 Olympic Stadium, they have plans to redevelop the present site and build a stadium that would hold in the region of 56,250 spectators. More details can be found on the clubâ??s official website.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:33:55 GMT Rob Campion http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/white-hart-lane-s514 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/_l6FB8qWxwk/siu-arena-s796 In Carbondale, Illinois, what is old is new again. SIU Arena, which originally opened in 1964, has a new lease on life. In 2010, Southern Illinois University completed a $29.9 million renovation that included new seating throughout the lower and upper areas, improved accessibility and entrances to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, middle handrails at all aisles, improved concessions, additional restrooms and fan amenities on the upper level, a new scoreboard and other aesthetic and functional improvements. The biggest improvement to the 8,339 seat facility is the newly constructed atrium on the east side of the facility. Inside the atrium, which is now the main entrance to SIU Arena, fans can visit the SIU Team Store, take a stroll down memory lane with the SIU Hall of Fame, or sit back and watch the children play with the inflatable basketball goals. Once inside the main walkway of the arena, fans are treated to painted murals of famous moments in SIU Basketball history. Inside the bowl area, all seats are either newly furnished chair backs or newly installed bleachers that are made with a soft feel and strong support behind your back.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:50:31 GMT Jordan Baer http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/siu-arena-s796 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/yfHEC8Hf_AI/stroh-center-s841 The Stroh Center opened in September of 2011, in the sports complex area of the campus of Bowling Green State University, near the football teamâ??s Doyt L Perry Stadium. The Falcons havenâ??t made the NCAA tournament since Bill Fitch was the head coach, way back in 1968. The hope is that the new $30 million arena with seating for just under 5,000 will help change those fortunes as the Falcons look to return to relevance in the Mid-American Conference. The venue will also be one of the host facilities for the 2012 NCAA Womenâ??s 1st and 2nd round Tournament games.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:04:49 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/stroh-center-s841 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/YD_1yBqGaL0/john-m-belk-arena-s696 John M. Belk Arena, the centerpiece of the Baker Sports Complex, is nestled into a tree-filled corner of the gorgeous Davidson College campus. The Baker Sports Complex is an impressive multi-use athletic complex. In addition to the basketball arena, the complex includes an indoor tennis center, a natatorium, a wrestling center, racquetball & squash courts, a weight room, and many of the athletic administration offices. Opened in time for the 1989 season, Belk Arena is named in honor of former Charlotte mayor, and a former Wildcat basketball captain himself, John M. Belk. With a basketball seating capacity of 5,223, Belk Arena is big enough to pack in a good crowd but small enough to remain very intimate and intimidating to those visiting teams venturing into Belk to play the Wildcats. This home court advantage shows in the statistics. In the previous twenty seasons in Belk Arena, coming into this season, the Wildcats sport a winning percentage of almost 77%. Over the past decade, that number is even more impressive, with the home team winning 117 of 136 games on the hardwood at Belk.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:53:42 GMT Norman Cook http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/john-m-belk-arena-s696 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/tAHjy4zGpS4/breslin-center-s832 They are known as the Izzone, the student section that can has come to define the basketball experience at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on the campus of Michigan State University. There is a line to get into the building hours before the tip time and much of the student section is full within minutes of when the doors open an hour and a half before the scheduled game begins. Gray concrete with accents of green is what you see when you enter the building. This would be just an ordinary looking arena without these students â?? nothing special. However, since Tom Izzo took over the program from the legendary Judd Heathcote, the program has gone from solid to superb. It only feels like Michigan State is one of the most historic programs in college basketball history. In truth, prior to Izzoâ??s arrival, the Spartans only reached the Final Four twice (in 1957 and 1979), winning the iconic championship with Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser in â??79. Since Izzo, the program has reached the Final Four on 6 occasions (â??99, â??00, â??01, â??05, â??09, and â??10), winning the title in 2000 behind Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson. You are bound to see a quality team and a fantastic crowd when you see MSU at the Breslin Center. Go grab a turkey drumstick, find your seat, and enjoy the experience!  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:55:46 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/breslin-center-s832 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/7s0E4ibCI9o/husky-stadium-s420 A college football program can be the heart of a University. It is the driving force for school spirit and the breeding ground for die-hard fans. But if the team is the heart of the program, then the stadium they play in, is the soul. For the Washington Huskies, Husky Stadium is the crown jewel of the campus located right on the edge of Lake Washington with stunning views of the Cascades, including Mt. Rainier. But even the view wasnâ??t enough to distract me from the towering stands which bear down on the turf field. With over 20,000 seats in the upper deck alone, Husky Stadium is one of the most intimidating stadiums in college football. But before we get into the details of what makes Husky Stadium great, we have to establish a system to base it on.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:52:14 GMT Maiah Hollander http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/husky-stadium-s420 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/bcGBnkcWxQw/kimmel-arena-s681 Kimmel Arena, on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, is a 3,800 seat multipurpose facility which is part of the larger North Carolina Center for Health & Wellness, or the Sherrill Center, which opened to the public for the first time in the fall of 2011. Seating approximately 3,200 for basketball games, Kimmel Arena is named in honor of local Asheville businessman and Bulldog supporter, Joe Kimmel. Kimmel Arena replaces the nearby 1,100 seat Justice Center, opened in 1963, as the home court for Bulldog basketball. The arena is designed to serve the UNC-Asheville community in various ways, from hosting concerts (the arena recently hosted contemporary Christian artists, Casting Crowns), speakers, conferences, and even graduation ceremonies.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:31:27 GMT Norman Cook http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/kimmel-arena-s681 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/8YpOF_jS1ls/sharp-gymnasium-s576 The Houston Baptist Huskies are located in downtown Houston and are currently a member of the Great West Conference, but will be moving to the Southland Conference in 2013. The Huskies play their home games at Sharp Gymnasium which was built in 1964 and isnâ??t much bigger than your local high school gym with the capacity to hold only 1,500. However, the small size can make a small rowdy student section seem a lot bigger than they are. Houston Baptist is one of the smallest division one schools in the nation with only about 2,200 students so Sharp Gymnasium does fit them to a T.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:28:50 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/sharp-gymnasium-s576 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/5lMcmzaAENk/lavietes-pavilion-s713 When one thinks of Harvard, there are a number of things that likely come to mind before basketball. History. Intellectualism. Famous alumni (a kid named Gates went there, and a kid named Zuckerberg, too. They both dropped out, but did okay for themselves). East-coast, highbrow, blue blazers and boat shoes. Whatever images the school in Cambridge conjures up for you, in 2012 thereâ??s a little secret Iâ??d like to share: within these hallowed halls lives a darn good basketball team. Tommy Amaker has quietly built a very strong program since taking over in 2007, and Lavietes Pavilion, a compact and cozy arena, offers great value for your sports dollar.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:40:18 GMT Jonah Berman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/lavietes-pavilion-s713 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/_DSpqB5PWbM/rose-bowl-s1032 The 98th edition of the Rose Bowl gave fans a special treat as the game featured the two teams that had lost the previous two Rose Bowl games.  Therefore, one of the two would get their vindication.   On one side, Wisconsin was returning for a back to back appearance, hoping to avenge a loss to TCU in a game that they were favored to win.  On the other, Oregon was coming off of back to back BCS losses during their rise to prominence. With cities nationwide clamoring for new stadiums every 20 years, it is rather amazing that this facility has been hosting events since 1922 with no end in sight.  In fact, the stadium recently released plans to renovate the stadium and set the tone for the next 100 years.  Some of the noticeable changes were new videoboards, a third scoreboard, new pressbox, and new bucket seats. 2012 would mark the 98th edition of this memorable experience, with the Wisconsin Badgers making their eighth appearance and the Oregon Ducks making their sixth.  The game typically occurs on New Yearâ??s Day, but when that date falls on a Sunday (13 times), the game is moved to the 2nd. The site is a National Historic Landmark as even the United States has recognized it as an important part of this countryâ??s history.  The stadium now has a capacity of over 92,000, and year after year those seats get filled (and then some) because the Rose Bowl Game is an experience like none other.  Below is commentary on the 98th edition of the game in a Stadium Journey language.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:04:59 GMT Drew Cieszynski http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/rose-bowl-s1032 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/afl2VCUemlI/bankunited-center-s636 Overshadowed by basketball powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, and overshadowed by their own tumultuous football program, the Miami Hurricanes Men's Basketball Program chugs along. Upon moving to the ACC in 2004, the Hurricanes have been looking for their place in a basketball-mad conference filled with perennial National Championship competitors. Finishing only .500 in conference play one year, the Hurricanes struggle in all senses of the word. However, even before that, Miami only boasts one regular season conference title, in which they tied for first and made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Hurricanes basketball has actually come a long way. The program was shut down in 1971 due to poor attendance and inadequate facilities. The Canes made their resurgence for the 1985 season and eventually joined the Big East for the 1991 season. Since then, Hurricanes basketball has plodded along, eventually leaving the Big East for the ACC. In 2003, the University of Miami opened their own basketball facility on campus, which was eventually named the BankUnited Center. This facility answered all questions about a proper facility and was built with a modest attendance in mind. Although great success has not been found in Coral Gables, the program continues and the die-hard fans continue to support their team, and the measuring stick for success is merely a berth in the NCAA tournament.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:06:36 GMT Dave Cottenie http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/bankunited-center-s636 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/SKZzT4UxGsM/emirates-stadium-s500 The Emirates is huge. As you make your way across the Ken Friar Bridge, passing the pictures of Cesc Fabregas, Patrick Vieira and Charlie George, you come to a set of stairs that lead down to the stadium. You are immediately confronted with the amazing sight of the front of the stadium. There is a giant Arsenal symbol that looks out over the bridge. To each side of the symbol the backs of greats such as Parlour, Henry, Brady and Bastin standing in a line provide an impressive, classy title. Immediately you know you are in for a treat in North London today. As an Arsenal fan you are filled with pride at this stadium whose exterior and interior is arguably one of the best in England. As a neutral or even a hater of the Gunners, one cannot help feel respect and admiration over this magnificent monument. The Emirates, which has a capacity of 60,361, is one of the biggest grounds in England, which is epitomized as the line for the nearby toilets stretch far out the door.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:16:06 GMT Callum D'Souza http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/emirates-stadium-s500 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/PbkfI1InuSg/pan-american-center-s805 The NCAA Tournament is where college basketball programs build their reputations. Few mid-majors boast an NCAA Tournament history better than that of New Mexico State University. The Aggies are the only current member of the WAC with a Final Four appearance (1970). NMSU has won more NCAA Tournament games than any other WAC team (10). Those aren't the only historical points of pride for NMSU. More recently, the Aggies achieved a winning percentage of .728 in the 1990s, a number better than elite programs such as Syracuse, Indiana and Michigan State during that decade. That winning percentage was also better than that of more well known mid-majors, Xavier and UNLV. Today, Aggie sneakers squeak on Lou Henson Court inside the Pan American Center. Henson, who has more wins than all but 10 coaches in Division I basketball history, was an NMSU guard in the early 1950s before leading the Aggies to national prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. That history has helped make the Pan American Center an energetic arena at times, and one that has a reputation of being a difficult place for visitors. If the Aggies are competitive, the local fans seem to feel a connection to that history. They show up, and they get loud. When the Aggies are bland, basketball sounds can echo there.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:13:23 GMT James Staley http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/pan-american-center-s805 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/h-acNngMOb8/cotton-bowl-s1034 Itâ??s called the Cotton Bowl, but to some itâ??s simply known as, â??The House that Doak Built.â?? This is mainly due to the massive crowds that running back Doak Walker drew into the stadium during his stellar college career at SMU during the late 1940s. The Cotton Bowl was originally called the Fair Park Bowl because it was located in Fair Park, the site of the Texas State Fair. The Cotton Bowl has been around since 1930 and is one of college footballâ??s most historic landmarks; it also has the capacity since its latest renovation to hold 92,100 people. Throughout the years the Cotton Bowl has been the home of many franchises and teams including the Dallas Cowboys, SMU Mustangs, and the MLS team FC Dallas. The Cotton Bowl also hosted the historic Cotton Bowl classic from 1939 until 2009 when it was moved to the newly built Cowboys Stadium. The Cotton Bowl is also the annual host to one of college footballâ??s biggest rivalries, the Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas, which always occurs during the Texas State Fair. Since the Cotton Bowl classic has left the Cotton Bowl, the venue has been searching for a new bowl, and in 2010 they found that with the TicketCity Bowl. The 2012 edition was the 2nd year for the TicketCity Bowl, and I am glad to see it being held in the Cotton Bowl and that the venue is not being left to waste.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:07:02 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cotton-bowl-s1034 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/nayKjxQxshg/lp-field-s1033 The Music City Bowl has been around since 1998, existing under a number of different sponsors, the most recent being Franklin American Mortgage. Set in Nashville, Tennessee, the bowl game gives fans a taste of the heart of country music, with plenty of events and things to do in a city that is already a great destination. The 2011 matchup saw Wake Forest (ACC) square off against Mississippi State (SEC) in a 23-17 win for the Bulldogs.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:06:29 GMT Martin Rickman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/lp-field-s1033 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/35RniXZjhRo/pepsi-center-s52 The Pepsi Center is a magnificent arena that makes any Mile High City resident proud. Located in the heart of downtown Denver, Colorado, Pepsi Center is a state-of-the art facility and the home of not only the Colorado Avalanche but the NBA's Denver Nuggets and NLL's Colorado Mammoth. Opened in 1999, the Pepsi Center doesn't seem to have aged at all, as its modern design of smooth curves juxtaposed with a sharp angles jutting away from the main structure create the great atrium. The glass facades invite any and all passersby to peek inside of the Pepsi Center and they show off the interesting interior of the arena. Pepsi Center is one of a few shining stars of Denver's downtown, and its location in the center of the city places â??The Canâ?? within walking distance of up-scale shopping and dining in the 16th Street Mall, hundreds of bars and restaurants in LoDo, next door to Six Flags at Elich Gardens and near the convention center and performing arts complex. And Pepsi Center even has shopping and restaurants within its walls, in Altitude Authenticsâ??where fans can purchase official team-related merchandiseâ??and three restaurants in Blue Sky Grill, The Denver Post Newsroom and The Ridgeline. Make sure to check out the Pepsi Center website for all the need-to-know information on the world class arena.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:25:33 GMT Rich Kurtzman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/pepsi-center-s52 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/fox85pJSdOk/quicken-loans-arena-s104 The Cleveland Cavaliers have seen a lot of changes since a certain player made a certain decision in July of 2010. Most notably, the product on the court got pretty bad â?? and fast. Fortunately for Cavs fans, help was on the way. After trading Mo Williams and Jamario Moon for Baron Davisâ??s albatross of a contract and the Clippersâ?? first round pick, and owning the second-worst record in the league, the Cavs netted the first and fourth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Those two picks became Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, and the rebuild was on. Although there will be growing pains, and lots of them, the future is bright in Cleveland. And, it will play out at Quicken Loans Arena, home to the youth-filled Cavaliers. The Q is a top-flight arena, and shows owner Dan Gilbertâ??s commitment to providing a slick and exciting product as the team on the court grows into a playoff contender once again.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:38:07 GMT Martin Rickman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/quicken-loans-arena-s104 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Y4_UqT64MXs/jon-m-huntsman-center-s540 Welcome to the place where March went mad. For college basketball fanatics everywhere, the Jon M. Huntsman Center is remembered as the site of the 1979 National Championship game pitting Larry Birdâ??s Indiana State squad against Magic Johnson and Michigan State. Back then, it was known as the Special Events Center. Utahâ??s recent move to Pac-12 means the JMHC is now known primarily as the conferenceâ??s largest basketball venue. But is it among the Pac-12â??s best?  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:18:28 GMT David Mortimer http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/jon-m-huntsman-center-s540 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/X14IuMEoscg/centurylink-center-s859 Located in beautiful downtown Omaha, the CenturyLink Center is located just a few blocks from the historic Old Market and within walking distance from campus. Thanks to a corporate purchase the citizens of the Omaha area are still learning to say CenturyLink Center after eight years of calling it the Qwest Center. Make no mistake about it, the CenturyLink Center is a hockey arena, but they do a great job hiding that and getting the fans down close to the court. I have seen where some people have said the CenturyLink Center is like an NBA arena. Thankfully, it is really not like a mammoth generic NBA arena. It is a little less corporate, smaller and it retains the best parts of the college experience, while adding a little more than normal comfort for the fans.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:49:46 GMT Bill Kintner http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/centurylink-center-s859 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/NSeKYYeAyCo/spanos-center-s826 The Alex G. Spanos Center is located on the University of the Pacific campus in Stockton, California. It opened in 1981 and now seats over 6,000 spectators and is named after the owner of the San Diego Chargers, a UOP alumn. From 1981 to the opening of Stockton Arena in 2005, the Spanos Center was the premiere entertainment destination in Stockton as the facility is expandable to accommodate 8,000 people. When entering the Spanos Center you notice the chair backed seats on one side of the court, wrapping around the backboards on both sides. The opposite side of the court has wooden bleachers, without backs. The game I went to was against, currently out of conference, Hawaii. However starting next year, Hawaii will be joining the Big West in every sport except football.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:53:30 GMT Ryan Norris http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/spanos-center-s826 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Dw60HfE34es/tom-gola-arena-s725 While Philadelphia might be currently known for basketball powerhouses Temple and Villanova, the other three Big 5 schools arenâ??t exactly slackers, either. La Salle has a national title to their name â?? albeit in 1954 â?? as part of back-to-back title game appearances, though the Explorers havenâ??t made the NCAA tournament since 1992. The Explorers played on-campus back in 1954 at Wister Hall, but spent the next 33 years playing away from 19th and Olney, moving back to the Tom Gola Arena when it was opened back in 1998. Part of the schoolâ??s Hayman Center, the home of the schoolâ??s athletic department, Gola seats 4000 in a clean, well-lit gym, though with very few bells-and-whistles.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:53:49 GMT Josh Verlin http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/tom-gola-arena-s725 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/2Nnru2j_vGQ/prudential-center-s94 For now, the New Jersey Nets are calling the Prudential Center in Newark home. The seven-acre, $375 million arena opened in October 2007, but the Nets did not start playing games their until the 2010-2011 season. The team used to play at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford in the Izod Center (formerly known as Continental Airlines Arena). The 2011-2012 season will be the Netsâ?? final season in New Jersey as the team prepares to move to Brooklyn. The 675,000-square foot, $4.9 billion Barclays Center complex will be complete for the start of the 2012-2013 season. It will mark the first time since the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957 that Brooklyn will have a professional sports team. The Netsâ??who play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conferenceâ??are currently celebrating their 35th season as an NBA franchise. The team previously existed as the New York Americans and New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. The Prudential Center is nicknamed â??The Rockâ?? since Prudential Financialâ??s symbol is the Rock of Gibraltar. The arena is owned by the Newark Housing Authority and seats 18,711 fans for basketball games. The stadium has a main and upper concourse as well as 76 luxury suites. The New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall University Pirates (basketball) also play their home games at â??The Rock.â?? The arena is also the temporary home of the New York Liberty, since Madison Square Garden will undergo further renovations during the teamâ??s season. The past decade for the Nets has only yielded four playoff appearances after reaching back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. The team has many different faces as it hopes to clear salary cap space to make a run at a few high-profile free agents to lead the team to Brooklyn. As the Nets play out their final season at the Prudential Center, the team is â??Jersey Strong, Brooklyn Ready.â??  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:00:24 GMT Jim Mancari http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/prudential-center-s94 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/TLdzI5sUAnI/reliant-stadium-s75 Reliant Stadium was one of the first of its kind and is what many newly built NFL stadiums like Cowboys Stadium and MetLife Stadium have used as a blueprint. Reliant Stadium opened in 2002 and is the home of the Houston Texans. Reliant Stadium has the capacity to hold 71,500 and was the host of Super Bowl XXXVII. The total square footage of Reliant amasses to a tad less than two million square feet with 97,000 of that being natural grass surface. Even though the Texans have only been around since 2002, they have a great group of fans that fill Reliant every game day and are known to be one of the rowdiest crowds throughout the league. Texan fans are not only some of the best fans in the NFL, but also are some of the best tailgaters who can be seen outside every home game hours before game time.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:38:29 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/reliant-stadium-s75 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/5WrgMR_UROs/wallace-wade-stadium-s494 Wallace Wade Stadium was built in 1929 and lights were added in 1984. The stadium is built as a horseshoe design, with the scoreboard located at the open end of the stadium. The largest crowd ever was on November 19, 1949 when 57,500 watched Duke play North Carolina. The current configuration of the stadium holds 33,941.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:00:30 GMT Joshua Guiher http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/wallace-wade-stadium-s494 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/O4HGkcnx-ao/dix-stadium-s404 Kent State starting playing in Dix Stadium in 1969. Dix Stadium is similar to just about every Mid-American Conference Stadium; nothing flashy, just a basic football stadium that seats 20,500 fans.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:02:49 GMT Joshua Guiher http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/dix-stadium-s404 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/ebFkH9WhaDU/crisler-center-s831 Thereâ??s a new name of the arena that is home to Michigan basketball in Ann Arbor. Opened as Crisler Arena in 1967, it is now known as the Crisler Center, as renovations continue through 2012. New seating has been completed, including railing in the aisles, and upgraded views for handicap seating, but the continued gate closures may cause some delays for fans entering Crisler Center for the 2011-2012 season. Crisler Center is part of a great sports complex which includes iconic Michigan Stadium, and the wonderful Yost Arena. A trip to a Michigan basketball game seems to be getting better each year, and the renovations should only help to aid the rise of this venue as a top-notch facility for Big Ten, and college basketball fans.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:56:45 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/crisler-center-s831 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Zxee3CZPupY/alamodome-s1031 Originally built to hopefully lure an NFL franchise to San Antonio, the Alamodome has been a city staple since its opening in 1993. Even though the Alamodome was unsuccessful in landing an NFL franchise, it was the home of the NBAâ??s San Antonio Spurs from 1993 to 2002 until the Spurs moved into the newly built AT&T Center. The Alamodome has hosted one thing throughout its existence in 1993 and that is the Alamo Bowl. The Alamo Bowl has been sponsored by a variety of companies from Builders Square, Sylvania, and Mastercard to now Valero who has been sponsoring the bowl since 2007. The conference tie-ins for the Alamo Bowl have changed over the years, but currently it pits a PAC-12 and Big 12 conference school against each other. The Alamo Bowl always seems to be a closely contested matchup with every game but one since 2005 finishing with a margin of victory of 10 points or fewer. The Alamo Bowl is usually a definite watch game come bowl season and the 2011 Alamo Bowl definitely didnâ??t disappoint.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:18:05 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/alamodome-s1031 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/xqwIYQQEPVI/rfk-stadium-s1030 â??Historicâ?? RFK Stadium, as some people in Washington D.C. would call Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, is code for an old stadium that has character but none of the current amenities you would find in modern stadiums. However, if you grew up in Washington and went to RFK Stadium for Redskins games then you would welcome any opportunity to return when you can â?? especially for football. This is one of the classic old stadiums left in the United States where you still have an opportunity to attend a live sporting event. As such, the Military Bowl is your last chance to see a football game played in this iconic venue.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:49:10 GMT Andrew Van Cleve http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/rfk-stadium-s1030 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/oXQZ2F-0vTA/rose-hill-gymnasium-s1029 New York City has a multitude of professional sports teams, which often causes the fanbase to overlook the cityâ??s collegiate teams. But the city also has a few historic venues that its college teams call home. One of these is located in the Fordham section of the Bronx on the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University. Rose Hill Gymnasium is the oldest NCAA Division I on-campus basketball arena in the United States. The 3,470-seat stadium opened its doors on Jan. 16, 1925. At the time it was built, Rose Hill Gym was one of the largest on-campus facilities in the country, which earned it the nickname â??The Prairieâ?? since it was so big. However, today the arena seems moderately-sized compared to some other Division I stadiums. The gymnasium is located right on Fordhamâ??s beautiful and historic campus. It blends right in with the other campus buildings â?? all of which have a traditional Gothic architectural look. It was also used as barracks during World War II. Fordham is a Catholic institution with 8,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. Notable alumni include legendary coach Vince Lombardi, MLB Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch, and long-time Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully. The Fordham Rams are members of the Atlantic-10 Conference with teams such as Temple University, Xavier University and the University of Dayton. Rose Hill Gym was named by ESPN as one of the â??Four Cathedralsâ?? in college basketball. The other three are the Palestra (University of Pennsylvania), the Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler University) and Payne Whitney Gym (Yale University).  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:46:35 GMT Jim Mancari http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/rose-hill-gymnasium-s1029 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Id2q7yD76l8/savage-arena-s847 Originally known as Centennial Hall when it was built in 1976, the Arena was renamed â??Savage Hallâ?? in 1988 and then became â??Savage Arenaâ?? in 2008 after undergoing a $30 million renovation and expansion which now includes the adjoining Charles A. Sullivan Athletic Complex, and includes the Toledo Hall Of Fame. The new Savage Arena complex debuted in November of 2008. Seating was reduced by approximately 1,700 seats, but the new â??bowl-styleâ?? seating configuration brings fans closer to the action and provides a much better fan experience. Savage Arena is located near the football stadium, known as the Glass Bowl, making for a good combination of sporting venues compared to other MAC schools.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:39:16 GMT Bill Kintner http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/savage-arena-s847 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Md4b0iMrc4o/independence-stadium-s866 Built in 1925 in Shreveport, Louisiana the Independence Bowl has been an ongoing bowl in College football since 1976. Independence Stadium has been a staple of Shreveport for almost an entire century, and even though it is starting to show its age, it is still a decent college bowl venue. Independence Stadium has been the home of a few teams throughout the years including the Shreveport Steamers and the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League. In the 90â??s the Stadium was expanded, increasing its original seating of 40,000 to over 50,000.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:47:35 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/independence-stadium-s866 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/74QvezAGDGg/the-palestra-s874 The City of Brotherly Love is home to a number of modern sports arenas â?? Citizens Bank Park for baseball, the still relatively-new Wells Fargo Center for basketball and hockey and, Lincoln Financial Field for football. Yet, a few miles removed from the glitz and glamour of South Broad Street, the Palestra sits on the campus of the University of Pennâ??s campus. While officially the home for the Penn Quakers, the Palestra also serves as home of the Big 5, Philadelphiaâ??s yearly round-robin tournament featuring five of the cityâ??s six Division I programs: La Salle, Penn, Saint Josephâ??s, Temple, and Villanova. Opened in 1927, the Palestra remains, in many ways, the same building that it was when it hosted the first Big 5 games back in 1955, and even in the years preceding. The seats are mostly bleachers, and the building can get uncomfortably hot â?? even if the Philadelphia winters are dumping snow outside.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:37:56 GMT Josh Verlin http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/the-palestra-s874 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/8mEiWF8AcZE/lavell-edwards-stadium-s434 As college footballâ??s newest independent, BYU is making a concerted effort to stand out from the crowd. The football program is guided by three principles touted by head coach Bronco Mendenhall since his hiring: Tradition, Spirit, and Honor. Just how much do these principles matter to BYU? Not only will you find them littered throughout LaVell Edwards Stadium, youâ??ll find them emblazoned on the fields in lieu of a conference logo. For a school with aspirations of becoming a globally recognized brand, it helps to have a nice stadium to show off. Does LES fit the bill? Letâ??s explore.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:23:01 GMT David Mortimer http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/lavell-edwards-stadium-s434 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/t8nUeaWEScA/butler-hancock-hall-s542 Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion is located in Greeley, Colorado, on the campus of Northern Colorado University. The Northern Colorado Bears play in the Big Sky Conference and their stadium reflects the smaller conference in its size. Butler-Hancock is a quaint arena, tiny in fact, with a basketball capacity of 2,992 fans. Bleachers are rolled into the multi-use arena as volleyball, basketball and many other sports take place there. Still, despite the small size, taking in a game at Butler-Hancock is a truly unique experience. Fans are right up on the court and when it's packed, the arena roars with noise. Opened in 1975, the arena has undergone many improvements including a new hall of athletics, a new sound system, a message and scoreboard center, ticket center and renovated restrooms.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:08:14 GMT Rich Kurtzman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/butler-hancock-hall-s542 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/smZADnKeQyE/folsom-field-s412 Folsom Field is a fun place to take in a football game. Located in unique Boulder, Coloradoâ??just 45 minutes northwest of Denver â?? Folsom sits squarely in the middle of the University of Colorado campus. And what a beautiful campus it is. Nearly every building on campus is adorned with artful stone facades, and the stadium reflects those same architectural design choices. The University of Colorado attracts students from all across the country, and the world, and it's easy to see why. Beautiful Boulder is a scenic getaway, nestled near the majestic Rocky Mountains, yet the city has all the amenities one could want and then some. Boulder is known for its historic, outdoor Pearl Street Mall, where one can find a litany of local, small shops and discover different, special goods. Of course, there's a very new traditional mall in town called Foothills Crossing for more shopping, while hundreds of restaurants â?? from upscale to inexpensive diners â?? litter the town and are ready to feed any type of appetite. Boulder is also known for its predominantly progressive attitudes towards the world, and for the crazy college lifestyle that fills the campus and city streets with raging parties at times. In fact, the students have gotten so out of hand at times, that the school no longer allows alcohol to be served in the stadium as a way to curb students from rioting in the streets after big wins or losses. Facts: Folsom Field, built in 1924, is the eighth oldest college football stadium in the country and is the biggest and best college stadium in Colorado. It sits 53,613 people and also features the old gym on one side. Over its nearly 90 years of hosting Colorado Buffaloes football games, Folsom Field has gone through numerous improvements and expansions. In 1956, the addition of the upper deck increased seats from 26,000-45,000 and another 6,000 seats were added in 1968 after the running tracks were taken away. A six-story press box, luxury seats and seats in front of the new Dal Ward Athletic Center added seats as well. In 1999, the school added â??Buffvisionâ??, huge screen TVs to each end of the field for replays and anything else they need to show.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:44:38 GMT Rich Kurtzman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/folsom-field-s412 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/E9IqpiOisRM/metlife-stadium-s63 Prior to the 2011 season opener, the new stadium in the Meadowlands finally got a corporate name. It's now called MetLife Stadium and it is the home of the New York Jets and the New York Giants. Depending on who the home team is on a given day, the stadium has a different look and feel to it. When the Jets are the home team, it's lighted up in green and when the Giants play a home game it's converted to blue. The building is very generic in stature. It was created that way to give a neutral feel with different shades of grey seats that blend in so it looks like the place is full.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:59:23 GMT Gary Herman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/metlife-stadium-s63 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/VAZuM6KWWjw/legion-field-s435 Some stadiums in college football have a mystique. Some stadiums are home to great moments, classic games, and many great players. Legion Field is one of these stadiums â?? or at least, it was. Legion Field, which was opened in November 1927, has hosted 53 Iron Bowls in its history. The Iron Bowl is and always has been one of the best rivalries not only in college football, but in all of sports. 53 times, the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers have faced each other at Legion Field. The Birmingham behemoth was the home of every Iron Bowl played from 1904 to 1988. Legion Field was also the home of the historic first SEC Championship Games in 1992 and 1993. In 1998, Legion Field hosted the Iron Bowl for the last time (a 31-17 Alabama win). Since then, every Iron Bowl has been played on-campus in either Auburn or Tuscaloosa. Legion Field is still in use, however. In 1991, the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers began playing their home contests at the venue. The magic and mystique of Legion Field, however, has vanished. The stadium has deteriorated. Due to unsafe conditions, the upper deck had to be torn down. What was once a great place for football has become an old, rusty, lifeless facility, all due to the city of Birminghamâ??s inability to take care of it.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:35:00 GMT Nathan Deal http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/legion-field-s435 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Xh9KBeKTFLE/christl-arena-s562 The United States Military Academy at West Point stresses â??Duty, Honor, Countryâ?? as remarkable young men and women go through the rigorous academic, military and physical process. The Academy participates in Division I athletics under the Army name and while the basketball team has seen two great coaches start here in the 1970s (Bob Knight and Mike Krzyzewski), success has been limited. With no NCAA Tournament appearances and 26 straight losing seasons, you wonâ??t exactly see top quality basketball at Christl Arena. But what will you see are Cadets who are top quality people and should be admired for what they take on when attending West Point. That in itself is worth coming out to the game.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:41:56 GMT Sean Rowland http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/christl-arena-s562 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/5rl4nrISqQY/wings-west-s1028 The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings began their inaugural season in the NAHL in 2011. This is actually the second incarnation of the Jr. K-Wings as they also played in the NAHL from 1989-1994, winning the NAHLâ??s championship Robertson Cups in 1991 and 1993. Today, the team plays its home games at Wings West, a hockey complex that features two rinks, and one great sports bar, Old Burdickâ??s. In fact, it is really the restaurant that makes this a worthwhile trip. The arena itself is not exactly a venue that will induce goose bumps, but if you enjoy watching junior hockey, which is a pure hockey-centric game, then a trip to Wings West for a game, as well as a burger and beer, will be something worthwhile and out of the ordinary.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:45:29 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/wings-west-s1028 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/yIdFCxLxPqA/riverside-arena-s1027 Thereâ??s a reason that they call Minnesota the State of Hockey. You can drive an hour and a half out of the Twin Cities to a town of about 22,000 and find a hidden gem of a hockey experience. Such is the case in Austin, Minnesota, where you can find the Riverside Arena, the high school arena of the Austin Packers but, for this purpose, home to the NAHLâ??s Austin Bruins.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:55:03 GMT Blake Benzel http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/riverside-arena-s1027 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/1PPDkTdfy3w/james-a-rhodes-arena-s840 Have you ever wondered why the Akron athletic teams are called the Zips, and why they are represented by a Kangaroo mascot? I know that was the first question on my mind when I traveled to the Rubber City to see the James A. Rhodes Arena, home of the Zips of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Letâ??s get to that mascot question first, then weâ??ll get to the arena. The full nickname of the Zips is the Zippers, named because the zipper was invented in Akron. In the 1950â??s a contest was held to choose the mascot and a student recommended the kangaroo and it was approved. Today, Zippy the Kangaroo (who happens to be a female kangaroo) makes her presence known at games, and also hangs in the rafters in honor of winning the 2007 Mascot of the Year contest, sponsored by Capitol One (the banner humorously misspells the name of the sponsoring company however). With that bit of trivia out of the way, letâ??s get to the facility itself. Named for former Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes, the arena is commonly known as â??The JARâ?? to Akron denizens and students. The arena seats 5,500, but it feels much smaller than that, with almost all of the seating being fold out seats on the lower and upper levels. The Zips have made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament since they joined the ranks of Division I, the first being under the leadership of former head coach Bob Huggins. His picture and accomplishments hang on a large banner in the Northeast corner of the arena.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:41:33 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/james-a-rhodes-arena-s840 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Z1e7IDSdFdM/silvio-o-conte-forum-s1026 Conte Forum is home to both the Boston College basketball and hockey teams. The ice itself is known as Kelley Rink, and the arena seats just shy of 8,000.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:41:18 GMT Jeffrey Werner http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/silvio-o-conte-forum-s1026 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/0clk3IcYgLk/henderson-center-s676 The Cam Henderson Center was built in 1981 with seating for over 10,000 fans. The largest ever crowd was February 18, 1984 against The Citadel when 10,705 fans packed the center. In 1998-99, the Henderson Center underwent a $5 million renovation that actually lowered the seating capacity to 9,048. All of the seats, except the top couple of rows, are chair-back with plenty of room. The first thing I noticed was the lack of a central scoreboard. As I walked around the arena, I noticed that it was hard to see the end mounted replay board from a few of the upper angles, but Marshall did have smaller scoreboards so that you at least could know the score and keep an eye on the game clock.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:04:52 GMT Joshua Guiher http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/henderson-center-s676 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/GSs5Iqx97WM/gill-coliseum-s808 Despite an average basketball team in a small town market (population: 54,462), you quickly discover that the people of Corvallis, OR care a lot about Beavers basketball. At most stadiums youâ??ll find large groups of fans wearing whatever they happened to have thrown on that day. Not at a Beavers basketball game. In an attendance of over 5,000, you may find 50 or less not decked out from head-to-toe in orange and black. It may not be Cameron Indoor Stadium, but itâ??s still a sight to see. The arena hasnâ??t changed much from its original design, and a minor face-lift is in order. The first would be to install a nice video board. The one down the road in Eugene puts the Beaversâ?? two tiny screens to shame. A few small additions can put Gill Coliseum near the top in the Pac-12.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:40:26 GMT Alex Shoemaker http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/gill-coliseum-s808 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/0BOSe8y2ft8/lincoln-financial-field-s437 Though the Temple Owls play in the "lowly" Mid-American Conference, theyâ??re lucky to have one of the best facilities in the country thanks to their partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles and their gameday use of Lincoln Financial Field. For fans, this partnership is both a blessing and a curse â?? while game attendees get high-quality video boards, great viewing lines, and good food, they also lose some of the collegiate charm (and lower prices) that other stadiums might offer.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:27:22 GMT Josh Verlin http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/lincoln-financial-field-s437 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/xEHrH4Toui0/murphy-center-s633 There is a historical allure you feel from the Murphy Center as soon as you walk through the doors. The venue is interesting in the way itâ??s shaped like a square instead of your classic dome shape. The Murphy Center has been home to the basketball program of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders since 1972 and theyâ??ve always enjoyed a good home record. Located right on the edge of campus in historical Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the Murphy Center seats 11,520 fans that includes your classic arena bucket seats and your wooden bleachers towards the top. Youâ??re not going to be blown away at first glance of this modest basketball venue, but stick around for a game and youâ??ll probably change your mind.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:18:10 GMT Chad Minton http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/murphy-center-s633 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/L1ylA45z3VU/johnny-unitas-stadium-s1025 Johnny Unitas Stadium, formerly known as Minnegan Field from 1983-2002, is a football, lacrosse, field hockey and track and field stadium which is the home of the Towson University Tigers of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). The sports complex underwent a massive renovation from 1999-2002 when they added 6,000 seats to bring the capacity to its current figure of 11,198. In 2008, they upgraded the playing surface from astroturf to fieldturf. In addition, they installed a Daktronics High Definition LED video and scoring system called Tiger Vision in the end zone.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:22:54 GMT Gary Herman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/johnny-unitas-stadium-s1025 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/6QVZiGgZW7M/knapp-center-s856 Even the most loyal Iowa sports fans can sometimes forget that the state has a fourth Division I program: the Drake University Bulldogs. Even though the school is only home to around 5,000 students, the Drake Bulldogs have managed to prove themselves as a legitimate basketball school, posting a number of memorable seasons since the programâ??s introduction in the 1906-07 season. Located in the heart of possibly one of the most underrated sports cities in the United States, Des Moines, the Knapp Center has served as the home of Drake Bulldogs basketball since its construction in 1992, and provides a quality example that a quality sports experience comes down to a lot more than just size and exposure.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:04:00 GMT Tige Hutcheson http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/knapp-center-s856 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/aOB3Sh7durA/tudor-fieldhouse-s571 On the south side of Houston is the fairly newly renovated Tudor Fieldhouse, which is home to the Rice University basketball team. Rice has never been known as a basketball powerhouse and you probably havenâ??t heard of any players that have made the NBA from Rice, but donâ??t let that fool you because a trip to Tudor Fieldhouse is a must if youâ??re in the area. Tudor Fieldhouse was originally built back in 1960 and was then called Rice Gymnasium, but former Rice alum Bobby Tudor made a multi-million dollar donation to renovate the arena and the university renamed it in 2008 after the renovations. The Fieldhouse can currently seat just over 5,200 fans and it does so with not only plenty of comfort but also great sightlines to the court. The court is called Autry court after a descendant of Micajah Autry, a hero of the Battle of the Alamo, who donated money for the building fund of Tudor Fieldhouse. The student section, which is surprisingly one of the craziest sections in college basketball, is called the Autry Army and attends every home college basketball game. Coach John Calipari called this student section the â??Blue Army of Deathâ?? during his coaching days at Conference USA rival Memphis.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:28:46 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/tudor-fieldhouse-s571 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/nvCSiBxVdQM/wright-state-universitys-nutter-center-s838 The Nutter Center, affectionately known to Wright State Raider fans as the â??Nutt Houseâ?? a term first coined by former radio color commentator Ron Coleman, opened in the fall of 1990 with a concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra, but soon became better known as the rocking home of the late coach Ralph Underhillâ??s running Raiders. That year they ran and pressed their way to 19 wins and averaged over 8,000 fans per game in just their fourth year in Division I. These days the Raiders are members of the Horizon League and usually only draw 8,000 or more for their big games like Butler, as they averaged around 5,500 fans per game over the last several years. But more often than not, when it counts, the fans come out and the Nutter Center is a loud, fun place to watch some good college basketball.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:33:37 GMT Bill Kintner http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/wright-state-universitys-nutter-center-s838 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/QJ9ASXpMhOs/mountaineer-field-at-milan-puskar-stadium-s452 The full name of the home of the West Virginia football stadium is Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, which holds 60,000 fans. The largest crowd ever was 70,222 for the November 20, 1993 game against Miami. John Denverâ??s â??Take Me Home, Country Roadsâ?? has been played at every home game since 1972, with Denver even making an appearance to sing the song live at the 1980 dedication of Mountaineer Field. West Virginia fans have a reputation for being some of the most eclectic in college football. But what is the experience really like?  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:12:29 GMT Joshua Guiher http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/mountaineer-field-at-milan-puskar-stadium-s452 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/bgqC-FM48UY/spartan-stadium-s481 By attending a sparsely attended non-rivalry, modern day game at Spartan Stadium you may be surprised to know that San Jose State enjoys a rich history on the west coast and was at one point, quite relevant. Unfortunately for me, I attended one of those aforementioned games, this one against the Idaho Vandals. The gloomy day fit perfectly with the mass of empty seats. San Jose State is located in the heart of San Jose, the third most populous city in California (behind Los Angeles and San Diego). Unlike those places, San Jose isn't too much of a college town and support for the Spartans has been trailing behind that of the San Jose Sharks, the city's only major professional franchise. Sporting two tiers on one sideline and and one on the other, Spartan Stadium was opened in 1933 and has primarily been used for Spartan football since. Aside from football, the stadium has hosted professional lacrosse and soccer over the years. The San Jose Earthquakes played at Spartan Stadium during their time in the NASL and their first stint in MLS, prior to moving to Buck Shaw Stadium. Among the notable events having taken place at Spartan Stadium was the now defunct, Silicon Valley Bowl and as a host stadium during the 1999 Women's World Cup.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:03:42 GMT Ryan Norris http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/spartan-stadium-s481 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/lyoOsXJFRPU/sears-centre-arena-s1024 The 2011-2012 season marks the inauguration of the Chicago Express, an expansion East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) franchise. Chicago already has, not only the Blackhawks, but 3 AHL teams within a couple of hours of the Windy City; the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena, Rockford IceHogs at BMO Harris Bank Centre, and the Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena. It is yet to be seen if an ECHL franchise can co-exist with these larger teams. The Chicago Express play their home games at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. It is a beautiful and large facility known most for hosting concerts, but it has also played host to lacrosse, indoor football, and UHL hockey during its existence. The Sears Centre will also host the Big Ten womenâ??s basketball tournament in 2013 and 2015. Fans may find the cost of attending an Express game higher than expected, and those price points may aid in the Express struggle as they find their footing in the landscape of hockey in Northern Illinois.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:56:52 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/sears-centre-arena-s1024 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/GXH8-ySTeLQ/johnson-coliseum-s578 On the other side of the Piney Woods from Stephen F Austin you will find their neighbor and rival the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Sam Houston State University is a small university with just over 17,000 in attendance. The city of Huntsville, where the university is located, has a population of just over 35,000. The Bearkats are one of the most consistent teams in the Southland Conference, having won more games to begin the 21st century than any other team in the conference. The Bearkats play their home games at Johnson Coliseum which was built in 1976 and has the capacity for 6,100 fans.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:58:41 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/johnson-coliseum-s578 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/QyiF8rhri10/william-r-johnson-coliseum-s579 Nestled away in the Piney Woods of east Texas is a town called Nacogdoches, which is the home of the Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks. Stephen F Austin University is of course named after one of Texasâ??s founding fathers, Stephen F Austin (the namesake of the state capital). On campus you will find William R. Johnson Coliseum which is home to the Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks basketball team. Built in 1974, the coliseum seats 7,203 fans. The Lumberjacks are a member of the Southland conference and most recently made the NCAA tournament back in 2009 losing to Syracuse in the first round.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:10:02 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/william-r-johnson-coliseum-s579 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/6N215tiSu1k/north-shore-events-centre-s1020 Located on Aucklandâ??s North Shore, the North Shore Events Centre plays home to the New Zealand Breakers. The Breakers are New Zealandâ??s premier basketball franchise, forming in 2003 and playing in the Australian-based National Basketball League (NBL). The team has played at various stadiums over the years but has settled at the stadium known variously as NSEC and the Breakerdome, recently playing its 300th game in the stadium.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:58:49 GMT Jeff Cheshire http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/north-shore-events-centre-s1020 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/VyusDpWg8CI/pete-maravich-assembly-center-s591 It has been called many names from â??The House that Pete Builtâ?? to â??The Deaf Domeâ?? by Dick Vitale, but there is one thing that is the same and that is that the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is the home of the LSU Tigers and it can get pretty crazy. The LSU Tigers have called the Pete Maravich Center home since 1972. The arena was originally called the LSU Assembly Center at its opening but was renamed to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in 1988 shortly after Peteâ??s death. Pete never played in the arena but had always wanted LSU to build a larger arena for its basketball team which he felt was always in the shadow of the LSU Tigers football program. The Pete Maravich Center has the capacity to hold 13,215 fans which still only makes it the 7th largest arena in the SEC.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:29:37 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/pete-maravich-assembly-center-s591 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/SdoHLvxoG2Y/cowboys-stadium-s64 For years they have been known as Americaâ??s Team. The Dallas Cowboys are one of the greatest franchises in the National Football League with 5 Super Bowl championships and 10 conference championships. And as the Cowboys are one of the biggest sports teams in the world, it is only fitting that so is their stadium; Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys currently call the recently built 1.3 billion dollar Cowboys Stadium home. Cowboys Stadium opened in 2009 and has the capacity to seat 80,000 and hold 111,000 with its standing room options. Even though many people have plenty of gripes and complaints about pricing and what not with Cowboys Stadium, you really get what you pay for when you walk through the doors. The stadium is the largest domed stadium in the world and has the 2nd largest high definition TV which amazingly hangs from 30 yard line to 30 yard line. This was my first trip to Cowboys Stadium I can say two things: I was in awestruck at the stadium and at some of the prices, but it is still well worth every penny to see this marvelous venue.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:51:55 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cowboys-stadium-s64 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/czEw4y5cHiM/dowdy-ficklen-stadium-s406 East Carolina University football owns the coast of North Carolina. Pirate Nation is a big one; purple and yellow are everywhere, and the closer you get to Greenville, the more evident that is. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium embodies this mentality. It has a clean, no-frills design; modern improvements with a classic feel; and is packed on Saturdays. Originally opened in 1963, the venue has been built up through a variety of drives and initiatives, including a new video board, a large press box and a better-than-average playing surface.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:19:54 GMT Martin Rickman http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/dowdy-ficklen-stadium-s406 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/XQbFrVmPXbk/toyota-sports-center-s1023 Living in the shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers comes with both positives and negatives.  On the plus side, you are tied to one of the most iconic franchises in sports and have a solid backing.  On the negative of course, the Lakers cast a huge shadow and itâ??s often difficult to gain relevance when the parent franchise commands so much attention. Since 2006, the Los Angeles D-Fenders have represented the Lakers in the D-League and are the first team to actually be owned and operated by the parent club.  Per the teamâ??s Facebook page, the team name was actually set to be the â??Breakersâ?? after a naming contest of 64 teams, but it was found that the nickname was already taken by a local dwarf basketball team. At the start, the D-Fenders played at the Staples Center prior to Lakersâ?? home games.  The team was scheduled to move to Citizenâ??s Business Bank Arena (home of the Ontario Reign) during the 2008 season, but ultimately remained at the Staples Center.  In 2010, the D-Fenders announced that they would cease operations for the 2010-11 season.  During this time, the Lakers would be affiliated with the Bakersfield Jam.  Upon taking a year off, the team resumed play at the Toyota Sports Center for the 2011-12 season.  The TSC was previously known as the HealthSouth Training Center and is primarily known as a practice facility for the Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, and Los Angeles Sparks. It was opened in March of 2000 after a $24 million construction cost.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:54:07 GMT Drew Cieszynski http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/toyota-sports-center-s1023 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/LKBnJG7WX4k/beeghley-physical-education-center-s839 In 1981, the Youngstown State Penguins began competition at the Division I level as an independent. Today they are a member of the basketball-rich Horizon League. Their home is the Beeghly Center, built in 1972. It is a modest arena, with few exciting amenities for fans, but may serve as a good place to see some college basketball. The court itself is named for legendary YSU baseball and basketball coach, Dominic Rosselli. Dom Rosselli stands as a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated 43 years to coaching at the university. He stands as the all-time leader in coaching wins for the program for both sports. Athletically, Youngstown State is much more known as a football school than a basketball school. The womenâ??s team has shown more success than the menâ??s, making an appearance in the NCAA Tournamentâ??s second round in 1998. Thirty years into their history as a D-I school, the men have yet to make an appearance in the Big Dance.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:52:21 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/beeghley-physical-education-center-s839 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Bc-aPefo7EM/ford-center-s1022 With the construction of the Ford Center, the Evansville Purple Aces look to return to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. Itâ??s been more than half a century since the Aces moved into a new facility as they have called Roberts Stadium home since 1956. Although there have been two previous unsuccessful attempts to move the University of Southern Indiana into a downtown arena, the stars finally aligned this year when construction was completed on the Ford Center and the Aces agreed to move in. The Ford Center brings the Evansville sports scene into the 21st century with its modern, state-of-the art amenities such as 16 16-person suites, one 24-person suite, two eight-person mini suites, two 10-person mini suites, 92 main concourse loge seats, and 516 club seats with access to suite-level clubs. Located in the heart of Main Street, the Ford Center is projected to be the catalyst in the renaissance of downtown Evansville. By upgrading and bringing the Evansville Purple Aces to the Ford Center, look for many devoted Aces fans to fill up eateries, shops, and parks in downtown Evansville before and after each home game.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:20:20 GMT Jordan Baer http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/ford-center-s1022 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/Oda3BE2CqTk/powerade-centre-s1021 In 1998, the Brampton Battalion played their inaugural game. Unfortunately, the OHL had begun the process of saturating the Greater Toronto Hockey market by reviving the Toronto St. Michael's Majors the previous season, and also expanding into Mississauga to form the IceDogs in 1998. It has been an uphill climb for the Battalion from the get-go. Limited TV exposure and virtually no radio or print exposure have proven to be huge obstacles for the team located just west of Canada's largest city. However, the Battalion have remained plucky, providing a consistent product on the ice, and a military spirit in their marketing. The story of the Battalion begins with their owner, former sports journalist Scott Abbott, who made his fortune by co-inventing the wildly popular board game Trivial Pursuit. Throughout the years there has been wild speculation that the Battalion are on the move to a new city, however, it has been Abbott's steady ownership that has set the course for the Battalion, and kept them in Brampton. The Battalion operate against all odds. Still, the Battalion have put a relatively successful product on the ice, producing such NHL talent as Jay McClement, Wojtek Wolski, and budding superstar Matt Duchene. Their coach, Stan Butler, is becoming a junior hockey legend, coaching the Canadian National Junior Team on two separate occasions and being the only coach of record for the Battalion. The home for the Battalion is the Powerade Centre. Formerly known as the Brampton Centre, and currently known to the locals as "The Bunker," the Powerade Centre has been the home of the Battalion since its inception, and was built by the City of Brampton. The Bunker, although not spectacular, shows the Battalion motif throughout the presentation of Battalion hockey, and makes for a fun evening out.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:39:12 GMT Dave Cottenie http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/powerade-centre-s1021 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/TwJOOHENSpw/ksu-convocation-center-s652 Thereâ??s plenty that Stadium Journey has given me, including an opportunity to practice my art of writing, new friendships with excellent professionals, and the chance see some killer games like a double-OT thriller between the Kennesaw State Owls and South Carolina State Bulldogs â?? but more on that will come below. Just as significantly, though, itâ??s given me a greater appreciation for the state in which Iâ??ve grown and lived the entirety of my life. A few weeks ago, there I was, believing I was content with Georgiaâ??s solid mix of natural wonder, suburban sprawl and city life, but unaware of the gem that is KSU and the terrific Convocation Center that comes with.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:22:01 GMT John McCurdy http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/ksu-convocation-center-s652 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/xQPtUuohbEc/gallagher-iba-arena-s566 Gallagher-Iba Arena has been the home of Oklahoma State basketball since December 9, 1938. The facility was christened that day as legendary coaches Henry Iba of Oklahoma A&M (later Oklahoma State) and Phog Allen of Kansas faced off in a 21-15 Oklahoma A&M victory. Named for Iba and historic wrestling coach Ed Gallagher, the arena has a current capacity of 13,611, making it the sixth-largest basketball arena in the Big 12. It is also generally considered to be one of the best college basketball venues in the country, referred to often times as "The Rowdiest Arena in the Country" and "The Madison Square Garden of the Plains." Connected to the football stadium, it has also benefited from the contributions of OSU donor T. Boone Pickens.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:14:32 GMT Bradlee Ross http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/gallagher-iba-arena-s566 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/i-9h4vVKSUs/munn-ice-arena-s1016 For 323 games, in a period that extended from 1985-2003, Munn Ice Arena sold out every single game. It is either fortunate or unfortunate when you visit today that the streak is no longer in effect. The availability of tickets is a good thing, but I would love to see this venue when it is packed with fans. An unremarkable, but comfortable venue, Munn Ice Arena has been the home of Michigan State Spartan hockey since 1974. The arena holds 6,470 when at capacity, and provides fans with mostly green plastic bleacher seating with slightly below average leg room. College hockey is one of the best environments to witness the sport, and a trip to Munn Ice Arena is no exception.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:55:36 GMT Paul Swaney http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/munn-ice-arena-s1016 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/9WWF1MpIcr4/jam-events-center-s1019 If you think about businesses that have survived the test of time, it is often a result of attributes that set them apart from the competition. These businesses survive because they find ways to evolve by thinking outside of the box and challenging the norm. For whatever reason, sports franchises are held to a different standard and fans expect their model to be very specific. Thankfully you have Stadium Journey and can peer into some of these unique business models. Since the inception of the D-League, 14 teams were defunct as of 2012, so sustainability has been a challenge as the league gains acceptance. The JAM could easily be number 15, but some innovation has allowed basketball to continue in Bakersfield. Prior to the Jam Events Center, which eventually opened in 2009, the JAM played at Rabobank Arena, current home to the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners basketball program and the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL. The modern facility presents a stark contrast to the communityâ??s minor league baseball stadium (home of the Bakersfield Blaze), which is over 70 years old. The team was on the brink of extinction in 2007 when owner Stan Ellis had one of those â??ah-ha moments.â?? He was already building a practice facility for the team, so why not also make it a more intimate home court that the most consistent fans could enjoy? Sure, it would be risky catering only to corporate clientele, but he could save over half a million a season by avoiding lease and marketing costs. Unfortunately due to this model, most individuals cannot attend a Bakersfield JAM game. Single game tickets are not available at the door and while the JAM does provide tickets to the community, most of the audience consists of partners that pay a handsome sum up front. The current capacity can seat up to 750 in a variety of ways; namely courtside chairs, tables and the lofts at one end of the court. With such a small capacity, it almost seems like an exclusive club and I would liken it to the local country club.   Read the entire review.

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]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:54:49 GMT Drew Cieszynski http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/jam-events-center-s1019 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/MkjYszzKsHA/memorial-stadium-s489 Located at the bottom of a sloping hill north of campus and overlooked by a towering campanile, Memorial Stadium at the University of Kansas paints one of the most idyllic settings in all of college football. The stadium was built in 1920 and dedicated to KU students that were lost fighting in World War I. Originally housing bleachers on just the east and west sides of the field, Memorial has undergone several major renovations to get its current capacity 50,071. Though hardly one of the most updated or modernized venues in the Big XII, KUâ??s Memorial Stadium nonetheless serves as one of the more unique places to watch a game in the midwest.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:12:42 GMT Jack Winter http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/memorial-stadium-s489 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/QTp8T9x4MiM/american-airlines-center-s57 Located on the edge of downtown Dallas in Victory Park, the American Airlines Center (AAC) is home to the Dallas Stars as well as the defending 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. It opened in 2001 and still looks brand new, making it one of the better venues to watch a top-notch sporting event. From the outside, the stadium is very impressive. As you drive north on I-35E, the AAC majestically appears on your right. It could be an old train station or airport terminal, and with the naming rights purchased by American, the locals often refer to it as "The Hangar" because of its unique design.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sun, 11 Dec 2011 03:32:19 GMT Sean MacDonald http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/american-airlines-center-s57 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/KxG6iQ7QkWI/o2-arena-s1018 The O2 sits on the Greenwich Peninsula in South East London. It was originally called the â??Millennium Domeâ?? and was built in order to celebrate the last millennium, housing an exhibition to celebrate the passing of the last thousand years. The Dome was widely derided and fell into disuse, even being used as a homeless shelter in 2004. While many think that would still be a better use of the space, the Dome has operated as a multi-purpose entertainment venue for the last six years. It is now the place to go if you want to see the worldâ??s biggest pop stars. Since 2009, it has also been the home of the ATP World Tour Finals which brings the worldâ??s Top 8 singles and doubles players together to round off the tennis season in style over eight days in November. The tournament will be held at the O2 until 2013 at least, and on the evidence of its spectacular success, a longer stay will hopefully be in the offing. Because the Olympics do not allow for sponsored stadium names during the games, O2 Arena will be known as North Greenwich Arena when they host gymnastics and basketball.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:15:03 GMT Anluan Hennigan http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/o2-arena-s1018 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/BJcg3XF9lls/cajun-field-s397 When most people think of Louisiana and college football they think of the bad boys in Baton Rouge at Tiger Stadium, but there is a hidden gem out in Lafayette known as Cajun Field, the home of the Louisiana-Lafayette Raginâ?? Cajuns. The Raginâ?? Cajuns football squad has been around since 1970 and even though it is not necessarily known for being an astonishingly winning program, they did pick up their first bowl invite in 2011 with a trip to the New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raginâ?? Cajuns were originally established as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute back in 1900 and went through a couple of name changes before becoming the University of Louisiana-Lafayette back in 1999. The Raginâ?? Cajuns play their home games at Cajun Field which to Cajun fans is the original â??Swampâ??. The Cajuns first called Cajun Field home back in 1971. Cajun Field only seats about 31,000 people but there is additional capacity on both hills behind the end zones. The stadium does show its age in some places but I think the fans and overall atmosphere still make Cajun Field a great place to see a football game.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:08:06 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cajun-field-s397 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/QH1Te4GL_Ek/bc-place-stadium-s143 A bit of research will tell you BC Place Stadium was built in 1983 and was, for the last couple years of the team's life, home of the original Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League. There aren't any other NASL-vintage stadiums in Major League Soccer so the first-time visitor to Vancouver might expect to visit an old but character-filled building, a place that could tell stories of the hallowed footsteps of Carl Valentine, Peter Beardsley, and Bob Lenarduzzi. Not quite so. Starting in 2010 BC Place underwent a billion-dollar refit which included a $500-million retractable fabric roof and countless interior and infrastructure improvements. Today's BC Place bears almost no resemblance to the old stadium, with twenty-eight years of history hidden behind a brand new modern façade. It's a real improvement. While the Vancouver Whitecaps played only a handful of games at BC Place in 2011, that handful was enough to impress almost every fan making the trek from their temporary home at Empire Field. It doesnâ??t stand at the top of the world but BC Place today is probably the best facility for soccer in Canada.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:09:41 GMT Benjamin Massey http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/bc-place-stadium-s143 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/MQghOm6d1hA/kenan-memorial-stadium-s429 They've had their highs and they've had their lows, but one thing that has eluded the North Carolina Tar Heels is consistency. The Tar Heels have a mediocre 56% winning percentage and have an under .500 record in bowl games. But donâ??t let that fool you; they always carry upset potential. The Tar Heels play their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium, a stadium that is quickly becoming an antique despite many renovations over the years. With the Tar Heels' latest renovations this year, they can currently seat just below 63,000 fans, though not very comfortably; I will get into that later.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:41:06 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/kenan-memorial-stadium-s429 http://feeds.stadiumjourney.com/~r/sjreviews/~3/kByMNVBUb9k/millis-center-s679 When most people think of great college basketball states, North Carolina comes to mind. North Carolina has great teams and venues like UNC-Chapel Hill with the Dean Smith Center, and Duke with Cameron Indoor Stadium, but there are a lot of smaller programs and schools in North Carolina that can provide the wonderful fun and entertainment that comes with college basketball. One of those schools is High Point University and their home is the Millis Center. The Millis Center is definitely not a large venue as it only seats 1,750, but it sits them comfortably and is the perfect sized venue for the Big Southâ??s High Point Panthers. The arena is kind of interesting as it is sort of an arena in an arena since the outer concourse of the arena is known as Alumni Hall which is where all the sports offices, as well as classrooms and pool are located.  Read the entire review.

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]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:20:33 GMT Paul Derrick http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/millis-center-s679