Ranking Georgia's Sports Venues

Earlier in the week I did my top ten college football venues I would do anything to visit. Just a few hours ago I read an article on the ten most annoying stadiums in sports.

So, it got me thinking about all of the places here in Georgia that offer quality sporting events, and how they stack up with the rest of the venues in the US.

The following article will observe the twelve notable sports complexes here in Georgia, ranking from best to worst. Enjoy!

Macon Centerplex

The Macon Centerplex, which is located in Macon (central Georgia), is by far the ugliest arena on the list. The roof is bothersome, the stands make it look like a real bad attempt at giving it a Kansas feel.

The hardwood has to sit up and get rolled in and out, there are no press boxes, etc. The small stadium used to hold AF2 games, as well as hockey, and serves as a major venue for the Georgia high school basketball tournament championships.

The place sticks out like a sore thumb from outside. It looks like a five year old designed it. But hey, as long as you can fit a few thousand fans in and run some hoops, it's all good I guess.

It's about function, not flair...right? ...

Alexander Memorial Coliseum

If you want the blandest basketball game experience in Georgia, this is where to come. The seemingly tiny Alexander Memorial Coliseum, home of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9,000), is the most uninspired and boring complex imaginable.

The seating chart is one giant circle, and the stands sit elevated at the student section (where is the fun in that?). Some fans come down and stand on bleachers behind the baselines to make up for it.

The gigantic and ugly floor design does not help either.

There is really nothing to say about this place at all. Metro Atlanta's Centennial High School's gym actually really resembles this place (though not as big). If you're gym resembles a high school gym, you have problems.

Stegeman Coliseum

Allow me to use a Harry Potter analogy here. Stegeman Coliseum is to Harry as Sanford Stadium is to Dudley Dursley. Sanford is the spoiled crown, while Stegeman is the forgotten child under the stairs.

The arena actually looks kind of cool, but quality game day action is hard to come by. Basketball is second to football, and experiences at Stegeman come nowhere close to football.

Show up for a gym dogs event, and you might have your best shot at feeling crowd interaction. The basketball games are usually pretty low key, unless Kentucky or Florida or Georgia Tech is in town. I will admit when the place actually does pack full, it looks like a really really fun place to be (but I think the Kentucky student section alone could fill the entire place).

Season tickets run for really low prices, but honestly, I never felt it would be worth it to buy them (and I am one of the few die hard Dawgs who actually watches every Georgia basketball game that comes on television).

Gwinnett Stadium

Gwinnett Stadium is the new home for the recently relocated AAA Braves affiliate, now known as the Gwinnett Braves.

The new stadium is just like any other minor league park really. Nice, modernized look, but nothing special.

Gwinnett Arena

The little brother to Philips Arena, Gwinnett Arena in northeast Atlanta serves as the venue for many major sporting events in Georgia. The class 5-AAAAA state championship game in basketball was held there, and the arena also hosts (well hosted) the Georgia Force and the still existent Gwinnett Gladiators (hockey).

It really is not a bad place at all. The interior walkways are very very complete and impressive, and the stadium looks no less of a masterpiece than the Orlando Magic's home (the two arenas are actually very similar).

A hidden gem amongst the list in my book.

Atlanta Motor Speedway

What can you really say about this one? Atlanta Motor Speedway is known as the "fastest track" in NASCAR. And, NASCAR is the largest spectator sport in the world.

Can't go wrong with a day at AMS. Though, make sure you mapquest before you go, the track is 25 miles south of Atlanta. (Can we not call it Georgia Motor Speedway?)

Valdosta Stadium

Valdosta Stadium, or officially Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is to Georgia as Ratliff Stadium (Friday Night Lights) is to Texas.

The whopping stadium is complete with stadium style seating, two giant awesome cat claws, and the underneath walkway that shows off the goods (http://images.cnhi.zope.net/images_sizedimage_191015250/lg)

The stadium is home to the Valdosta Wildcats, who are one of the many dominant 5AAAA powerhouses from southern Georgia.

The stadium is also so nice, that the local D2 Valdosta State Blazers (who are a dominant force in D2 might I add) use the stadium as their home field!!

The stadium was the centerpiece for Valdosta's athletics representation when it won ESPN's "Title Town USA" award- knocking off major U.S. cities like Boston and LA!

Touche, Valdosta. Touche.

Philips Arena

The first thing you notice about Philips Arena, which is located adjacent to the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta, is it's sheer uniqueness.

First off, the supports that hold up the frame from the outside are designed to spell out "Atlanta." If that alone does not get your attention, wait until you make your way inside.

The arena features a very different layout than most multipurpose arenas. Most have a lower level, box seats, and then an upper level. Philips actually has all of the box seats, or sky boxes, stacked up on one another on one side of the arena.

The other side features a very large deck. It really is a cool looking arena.

Game experience is definitely up as well. The Hawks recent surge in the past few years has resulted in some ruckus crowds- so ruckus that even ESPN and ABC admitted in last year's playoffs that Philips was the most exciting venue they attended during the span.

Hence, the nickname "The Highlight Factory."

Hitting the ice for a Thrashers game is not a bad choice either, but with the extra seating that comes with basketball games, Philips becomes an incredible venue.

The only problem is that games only fill up for marquee games, so attending the arena on a cheap ticket may lead to a rather boring night.

Bobby Dodd Stadium

Bobby Dodd Stadium is half the size of Sanford, but it has it's own way of luring in spectators. If the exhilarating Ramblin' Wreck routine does not gain your attention, the amazing view of Atlanta will.

Bobby Dodd sits just across I-75 from Midtown, which leads to a breathtaking look at the Atlanta skyline. If you can't get a lower level seat, the upper level might actually offer the best experience.

The fans sit almost on the field the stands are so close, and something about the white home uniforms and all of the extraneous traditions provide a game day experience with a lot of character.

As a Dawg fan, the only thing that bugs me are the Jacket statues outside the stadium. Really Tech? Where did you get that idea?

But really though, Bobby Dodd might be small, but it offers up a very unique and classy college game day experience.

Georgia Dome

The Georgia Dome may not be the most state of the art stadium, it may not have a retractable roof (unless you want to count tornado induced roof malfunctions), or historical significance, but it offers a fantastic game day experience-one that is underrated in my book.

The Dome gets extremely loud (when full), and the fabric roof cover allows sun light into the stadium. The roof offers a very bright day game experience, and a darker night experience, which is unique for an enclosed stadium.

You do not feel like you are sitting inside the mother ship from Independence Day, which was the feeling I got with my lone visit to the Louisiana Super Dome.

Of course it's main attraction is the Falcons, which led to some pretty dull game day experiences during the majority of it's tenure. However, when the place packs full of all 72,000, it is deafening.

The seating from all areas is good, and close to the field. Some stadiums around the country of course end up having stands that sit far from the stadium, but not the Georgia Dome.

The character on game day with the well decorated stadium walls and a very improved walk way interior also stand out (not to mention the new red and black color scheme, which is by far superior to the old teal and hot pink!! yuck!!)

The Dome definitely has more character than it did about seven years ago, before emphasis was put on scenic flair (old pictures show gray stone walls and of course that surreal looking astro turf).

The Georgia Dome is located just on the outside edge of the major downtown area, and is right next to Philips Arena, the CNN Center, Georgia World Congress Center, etc.

Overall, it is nothing of sports lore, but a visit to the Dome is sure to leave you satisfied.

You don't want to catch an NFL game there on a wrong date (when the team's quarterback is in legal trouble, record is 2-8, and fans are seat stealing between the 40 yard lines) but a good sold out Falcons game or a major college football game is sure to please.

Sanford Stadium

Sanford Stadium is home to the University of Georgia's football team, and is the largest on campus stadium in the country (approx. 93,000). Nothing beats seeing Uga, the epic five minute video intro, crazy barking fans, and a good ole' SEC beat down "Between the Hedges."

Sanford has existed since 1928, but of course is noticeably refined and completed with all of our modern extremities.

It is the second largest spectator stadium in the state of Georgia, and offers top notch college football viewing action.

Don't plan on having any type of conversation with your buddies when you come to games, especially night games, because it is not happening—the stadium is just too noisy.

There are not many negatives. The stadium is in Athens, which offers the wondrous fall air smell of...beer and trash, and more beer.

Also, do not expect a good ticket, just like in most college venues you have to have given your soul to the university in exchange for lower level seats.

The recent switch of tangible student tickets to student ID's will also make it hard to get a good view from the student section.

But hey, Athens is a party town. If you are looking for a once in a lifetime weekend, heading down to UGA on a Saturday is right for you

Turner Field

Turner Field, located on the southern skirts of downtown Atlanta, was originally built as the centerpiece of the Olympic Sports complex back in 1996 (formerly known as Centennial Olympic Stadium), however now is the comfy home for the Atlanta Braves.

The Stadium just has a very finished look.

It isn't just some circular slab of concrete like some older baseball stadiums are, and it fits in pretty well with the rest of the state of the art ball parks around the country.

While the field always is in pristine condition (thanks to the best grounds crew in baseball), the actual exterior of the stadium and all of it's wonderful museums, memorials, structures, etc. is what sets the park among the best.

The only gripe among fans is that the old coke bottle, which was made entirely out of baseball equipment, has been taken down in the wake of a new electronic coke bottle.

Coming up or down I-75, the field exhibits that finished brick look (seen on the opening slide) which gives it a classy edge worthy of a sight see.

The old location of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, which is directly north of Turner Field, is actually now the parking lot. However, the field lines, base pads (painted white on the concrete) and location of Hank Aaron's historic record breaking homer, are all still part of the park's charm.

The entire area is a very finished and homey arrangement that makes Turner Field, or "The Ted", a must see attraction for anyone coming in and out of Atlanta.