ST. LOUIS -- For as many times as I'd strolled past the Scottrade Center on my way to Busch Stadium to cover Pirates vs. Cardinals, I'd never actually stepped inside until Sunday.
So that was it. My last NHL checkmark among arenas after all these many years.
In fact, that left one remaining unchecked box across the scope of the NHL, NFL and Major League Baseball, which means, by definition, it's the one stadium or arena I'd most like to visit: New Orleans' Superdome. And wouldn't you know, the Steelers just happen to head there later this year for a regular-season meeting with the Saints.
That got me to thinking: Which is the one sports facility -- anywhere of any kind -- I'd still like to see just to see it?
I've covered the Steelers at Wembley Stadium, I covered soccer at the home of Amsterdam's famed Ajax club, I've seen other matches across Europe, I've done hockey at Tokyo's Saitama Super Arena, and I've even done curling at Winnipeg's historic Granite Club.
The Colosseum in Rome, maybe?
Never been to Italy.
The Olympia grounds of the original, ancient Olympics?
I had a chance when covering the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, but that was going to take a 13-hour bus ride, and there just wasn't the time.
Something infinitely more modern, like Boise State's blue football field?
Here's what other staffers say:
DALE LOLLEY
I've covered the Steelers in over 50 stadiums around the world, many of which no longer exist or are in use. Croke Park in Dublin was cool -- and historical, look up Bloody Sunday.
And, as NFL stadiums go, Lambeau Field is about as historic as they come.
I've been to every NFL stadium currently in use -- with the exception of the soccer stadium in which the Chargers played last season -- and have been in a bunch of different baseball stadiums.
But I'd like to do a tour of the SEC for college football games. How fun would that be? From Kyle Field to Neyland Stadium to Bryant-Denny Stadium and others, there are some historic buildings that have seen and still see a lot of great football.
CHRIS BRADFORD
To me, what makes a great stadium or arena is character and history. While all the new retro baseball stadiums (Camden Yards, PNC Park, etc.) and arenas (PPG Paints Arena, Xcel Energy Center, etc.) are all wonderful, they all feel sterile and the same to me. When I go into an arena or stadium, I want to feel, taste and smell history.
The closest I've gotten to that is Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Went to both as a fan, but I've never covered a game at either. I'd probably throw Dodger Stadium and Lambeau Field on the bucket list too.
Man, I'd have loved to cover games at the Boston Garden, the Montreal Forum or Maple Leaf Gardens, but I was born too late for those. The only thing that comes close is Madison Square Garden. Though they've done a massive renovation at the World's Most Famous Arena, all you have to do is take a look up at that famous roof and you know right where you are.
AUDREY SNYDER
The main one I wanted to get to -- Lambeau Field (surprise, surprise) -- was crossed off the list when I was in 7th grade. I've been back several times since then and I encourage every football fan to put that one on the list if for some crazy reason it isn't already. Tour the stadium the day before, walk around the town and get a Bloody Mary at Kroll's the morning of. And if you're lucky enough to get to check out the view from the roof for the club suites, soak it all in.
Of course the view from the bowl is pretty darn good as well:
Going to any game as a sports fan is so different than going for work, though. When it's work, you're concerned about locating the media room beforehand, finding the elevators, worrying about Wifi passwords and whether or not the visiting media room will be big enough for everyone or if you'll all end up on top of each other standing on chairs and yelling questions across a room (hello, Maryland and Purdue).
As a fan, I just want the view, the atmosphere and hopefully a win. Experiencing something as a fan keeps sports fun for me, something that can be tough when you live and breathe it. I can sit in the bleachers at Wrigley on a summer night and love it, but I've seen that tiny visiting clubhouse and have heard the tales of reporters trying to navigate through that stadium with not much luck.
So far I've covered at least one game at every Big Ten football stadium, made my football debut on the road when Penn State played at Alabama in 2011 (I've still yet to hear any crowd louder thanks to the open air press box), covered wrestling in Madison Square Garden and covered the Final Four in the Superdome. The Rose Bowl was definitely a big check off the list as well.
I'd like to get to AT&T Stadium to stare up at the video board and I've got to catch a game at Fenway. It's sad, but I've seen more football in Yankee Stadium than baseball. I should probably fix that, too. And, I need to either watch or cover a Texas high school football game in one of those insanely expensive venues. Give me all those Friday Night Lights. Oh, and who said I'm not allowed to dream in this entry: Covering a Super Bowl -- wherever it is, I don't even care -- is atop my list.
LANCE LYSOWSKI
I'd have to agree with Bradford that history matters here. Sure, there are a few stadiums, arenas and ballparks I'd like to check out because of certain unique amenities, but it's cool walking into a place like the original Yankee Stadium.
I had the pleasure of watching the Yankees host the Red Sox there in 1999, and it was truly special to see all of what that ballpark had to offer. Last December, I covered a football game at the new Yankee Stadium, when Pitt played Northwestern in the Pinstripe Bowl. Of course, the ballpark was made to look like the original, yet it lacked the character that the old building had.
So, I'd love to watch a game at Fenway Park before someone tries to build a replica of that building, too. It's the most unique venue in all of professional sports, and I'm already trying to think of some way to get there in 2018.