If God himself (or herself) had constructed a sacred ground for college football, Peden Stadium would have been its quintessence.
He would have set as its backdrop Appalachian foothills and the Hocking River on one side and a picturesque Ohio University campus on the other.
He would have designated the space behind the north end zone for the Marching 110, while placing Victory Hill beyond the south, as a community-based, grassy area for overflow seating.
Heck, he might even have built Tailgreat Park just across the street.
The Convo, Bob Wren Stadium and Bird Arena are all excellent facilities, but nothing matches the beauty and history of Peden.
Thousands of players and hundreds of games have graced its grass.
It's even rumored that Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson landed helicopters at the 50-yard line.
As if that's not enough, a scoreboard upgrade last year has led to enhanced replays and graphics.
It's no wonder Peden currently is featured in Autumn's Cathedrals, a book of college football stadiums.
Happy 75th anniversary, Peden. You are a legend.
-Matt Bixenstine
Sports, concerts, residents crown Convo
When you compare the athletic complexes located around campus, one building towers, literally, over them all -the Convocation Center.
Known by the street-savvy simply as The Convo, the home to Ohio basketball, volleyball and wrestling is so much more than a bowl that seats 13,000, and that is why Peden, Bird and Bob Wren can take a seat.
The Convo is also home to 236 students who will never find themselves a green away from exciting athletic competition. It also houses all the athletics offices -the holy grail of information to a sports journalist like me.
With Peden never filled to capacity and occupants of Victory Hill attacked with insecticide last season, The Convo is king.
Because The Convo brings in concerts, while Bird lacks seating (and Teletubbies on Ice), The Convo is supreme.
Because Bob Wren is ... well, a pretty lackluster ball field and a long walk from everything, The Convo is its daddy.
And while these fools will argue about the aura of football games, the talented team that plays on Bird's white ice and baseball's role as America's favorite pastime, I will put them all to shame with one simple, glorious fact: the Ohio dance team practices and performs quite the show on The Convo floor.
-Mark Shugar
Bird Arena soars above rest of pack
Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of fine venues here in Athens. But I can't think of a better place to watch a game than Bird Arena.
Aside from the option of actually watching a winning program at Bird -something few other places can offer -the crowd at Ohio hockey games is the most excitable and boisterous of all Bobcats fans.
Led by its own special section, Gang Green, the crowd has its distinct cheers, loaded with expletives at other teams.
That's right! The expletives are aimed at the other teams, not ours because of something they did. Try finding that at Peden Stadium.
But the atmosphere at Bird is not just one of excitement. Even though the stadium sells out, there are very few bad seats in the arena, as the yelling of coach Dan Morris can be heard bouncing off the walls and the crunch of every opposing player is just a few feet from your delicious nachos.
It is, without question, the place to be for the very core of what's right with Ohio athletics. Anyone who wants to argue that can come back when their venue is the home of a national champion.
-Mike Cottrill
Bob Wren: great coach, great park
Bob Wren Stadium is the nicest place to take in a sporting event at Ohio University.
This becomes obvious when you are greeted by the statue of Ohio baseball legend Bob Wren as you enter the stadium. Do any other facilities boast of a statue of an Ohio athletic legend?
Bob Wren Stadium still has the feel of a brand new facility; it opened in 1998 and holds many modern luxuries. If you attend an Ohio baseball game, you will be able to sit back and watch in comfort.
You will also get to experience history at the same time. All of the Bobcats' Mid-American Conference championships and College World Series appearances are on display on the outfield wall.
It is great to admire how successful the Ohio baseball program has been over the years, and Bob Wren Stadium proudly displays this.
Bob Wren Stadium is also home to another living legend, Joe Carbone, who broke Ohio's all-time wins records last spring.
So, if you want to watch a baseball game in comfort while also being able to enjoy the rich history of an Ohio sport, catch a game at Bob Wren Stadium.
-Kevin Wiseman
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