Sports in Seconds: Vying for the perfect sporting venue
An individual's surrounding environment is a key factor towards a person's happiness and overall enjoyment in particular aspects of life.
The same can be said for attending a sporting event.
The venue in which a sporting event is held adds significantly to the overall experience one has at any given sporting spectacle. A certain aura and vibe can be sensed at certain places, and aside from the actual product (the game and athletes), the venue can be the primary reason behind an enjoyable time at a sporting event.
Although I wish I could share a compelling story of my experience watching the Red Sox in Fenway Park, the Cubbies at Wrigley Field, or the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, you'll have to settle for this.
In no particular order:
Small-town arena/field/park:
OK, I know, this is not a professional sports arena or stadium, but I could not write a column regarding attendance at sporting events without mentioning where myself, and I'm sure the majority of sports fans across North America, have spent most of their non-television sports viewing time in their lifetime.
I know the old wooden bleacher seating, chain-link-fenced obstructed view, or musty smelling locker room scent does not always make for the most pleasing experience, but the fact exists that this is where you can watch your best hometown buddies competing in their local beer league, or witness your children make their first strides on the pair of skates Santa Claus brought them for Christmas. MasterCard should be reading this, because that's priceless.
Air Canada Centre:
When in university, I had the opportunity to volunteer for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors for an entire season selling 50/50 tickets. Although not the most glamourous task, the perks were great as we were given free pizza and more importantly free access to the standing-room-only section of the ACC for nearly half the game. Specifically for Maple Leaf games, the crowd's vibe and energetic tone was always enhanced when they played the Ottawa Senators, adding to an already entertaining atmosphere.
Ralph Wilson Stadium:
This is not a beautiful stadium by any means, the seats are not particularly comfortable, and the view is relatively ordinary. However, the thing that stands out in my mind about watching the Buffalo Bills at their home filed, and maybe this is simply universal for all NFL stadiums, was the tailgating. I mean it was a freezing cold day in December when I was there, but we were sharing chili with strangers, eating hot dogs and sausages, drinking cheap American beer, tossing around a football, and generally having an incredible time.
In fact, I think I actually became a man that cold December day in Buffalo.
Tiger Stadium:
The history and personal memories that were packed into this old ballpark are something that can never be replaced for me. I spent many a birthday at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull watching the then lowly Tigers struggling their season away. I have been to other MLB stadiums but the one thing that stands out for Tiger Stadium was the smell. If baseball can be used as an adjective, it just smelled like baseball.
Michigan Stadium:
When I attended a game between the Michigan Wolverines football team and the Purdue Boilermakers, I was blown away by the enormity of the place, and astonished by the fact that over 100,000 people surrounded me. This was hands-down the greatest experience I have ever had at a sporting event at any level.
Being only about 13 years old and having not previously been a big college football fan, I was bleeding blue for the Wolverines by the end of game, and was humming “Hail to the Victors” to myself for weeks after.
The same can be said for attending a sporting event.
The venue in which a sporting event is held adds significantly to the overall experience one has at any given sporting spectacle. A certain aura and vibe can be sensed at certain places, and aside from the actual product (the game and athletes), the venue can be the primary reason behind an enjoyable time at a sporting event.
Although I wish I could share a compelling story of my experience watching the Red Sox in Fenway Park, the Cubbies at Wrigley Field, or the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, you'll have to settle for this.
In no particular order:
Small-town arena/field/park:
OK, I know, this is not a professional sports arena or stadium, but I could not write a column regarding attendance at sporting events without mentioning where myself, and I'm sure the majority of sports fans across North America, have spent most of their non-television sports viewing time in their lifetime.
I know the old wooden bleacher seating, chain-link-fenced obstructed view, or musty smelling locker room scent does not always make for the most pleasing experience, but the fact exists that this is where you can watch your best hometown buddies competing in their local beer league, or witness your children make their first strides on the pair of skates Santa Claus brought them for Christmas. MasterCard should be reading this, because that's priceless.
Air Canada Centre:
When in university, I had the opportunity to volunteer for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors for an entire season selling 50/50 tickets. Although not the most glamourous task, the perks were great as we were given free pizza and more importantly free access to the standing-room-only section of the ACC for nearly half the game. Specifically for Maple Leaf games, the crowd's vibe and energetic tone was always enhanced when they played the Ottawa Senators, adding to an already entertaining atmosphere.
Ralph Wilson Stadium:
This is not a beautiful stadium by any means, the seats are not particularly comfortable, and the view is relatively ordinary. However, the thing that stands out in my mind about watching the Buffalo Bills at their home filed, and maybe this is simply universal for all NFL stadiums, was the tailgating. I mean it was a freezing cold day in December when I was there, but we were sharing chili with strangers, eating hot dogs and sausages, drinking cheap American beer, tossing around a football, and generally having an incredible time.
In fact, I think I actually became a man that cold December day in Buffalo.
Tiger Stadium:
The history and personal memories that were packed into this old ballpark are something that can never be replaced for me. I spent many a birthday at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull watching the then lowly Tigers struggling their season away. I have been to other MLB stadiums but the one thing that stands out for Tiger Stadium was the smell. If baseball can be used as an adjective, it just smelled like baseball.
Michigan Stadium:
When I attended a game between the Michigan Wolverines football team and the Purdue Boilermakers, I was blown away by the enormity of the place, and astonished by the fact that over 100,000 people surrounded me. This was hands-down the greatest experience I have ever had at a sporting event at any level.
Being only about 13 years old and having not previously been a big college football fan, I was bleeding blue for the Wolverines by the end of game, and was humming “Hail to the Victors” to myself for weeks after.
