Which stadium is best?

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

December 16th, 2020, 12:15 AM
KPSUL

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go Lehigh TU owl

My interest has now been sparked to find stadiums that incorporate campus architecture into their designs. This is much more common at the FBS level thanks to having the extra money to pull it off. W&M's Zable Stadium is the best "updated" FCS stadium I've found of making the stadium really feel a part of campus. Franklin Field does but that was built as a major cfb stadium. Richmond and Samford both try to pull it off to varying degrees success.

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.town...ize=1200%2C667
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.8bllxu...7?pid=Api&rs=1

https://www.bhate-geo.com/wp-content...m-1400x643.jpg

Owl, Richmond is an excellent place to watch a game, and it has all the elitist charm you find compelling. I went to a JMU @ UR game a few years ago - what a clash of cultural classes. I sat on the visitor's side between two large groups from each team, The JMU fans were particularly loud and obnoxious, even for JMU fans. Check out two other smallish but nice stadiums I enjoyed attending UNH games at: Wofford and Elon.
December 16th, 2020, 12:28 AM
Go Lehigh TU Owl

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPSUL

OK, granted, a pointless brick structure surrounding the end zone - very Ivy League-ish, but adds zero to the gameday experience. The "new" side is very comparable to UNH's. I've attended a bunch of games here, and aside for the hot dogs grilled on charcoal there is nothing better about attending a game here than at UNH. Unless you have connections, you can't park anywhere near the place, or tailgate anywhere. And that entry way in your last picture? It eliminates the best potential seating behind the visiting team's benches. And the W&M crowd? While FCS east coast fans in general are becoming more aged each year, the vast majority of the Bill and Mary home crowd are Octogenarians who don't act like they are at an athletic contest. You wouldn't know there were any undergraduates unrolled at W&M by going to a football game.

I just love how W&M blended Zable's architecture into the rest of campus. Most schools at this level simply don't have the resources to maintain that continuity. Even the design of the roofs on either side of the press box are in line with the campus buildings. That's excellent attention to detail!

JMU is a perfect example of ignoring aesthetics. JMU has a beautiful campus but sadly as you walk east through the main quad the rather unsightly erector set of half a stadium starts to loom in the background. The closer you get the more out of place Bridgeforth looks. The press box looks like it was portable office trailer in its previous life.

https://4ys2921cnof1wzm1s2xnw1818yx-...9-1082x540.jpg
December 16th, 2020, 12:48 AM
Go Lehigh TU Owl

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPSUL

Owl, Richmond is an excellent place to watch a game, and it has all the elitist charm you find compelling. I went to a JMU @ UR game a few years ago - what a clash of cultural classes. I sat on the visitor's side between two large groups from each team, The JMU fans were particularly loud and obnoxious, even for JMU fans. Check out two other smallish but nice stadiums I enjoyed attending UNH games at: Wofford and Elon.

You got to explain what "elitist charm" is. That's one phrase I never heard when it comes to describing a college football stadium.

I was at the JMU-Colgate game two years ago and didn't see observe any issues. I enjoyed talking with JMU and Gate fans. Most of the Duke fans knew Houston was out the door. Here's Andy Kerr from that day in all its snowy goodness...

https://scontent.fagc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...f2&oe=5FFDB2C3

https://scontent.fagc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...29&oe=5FFE6EAC
December 16th, 2020, 08:34 AM
KPSUL

2 Attachment(s)

Re: Which stadium is best?

Two of my favorites for away games:

Gibbs Stadium Wofford
Attachment 31864

Rhodes Stadium, Elon
Attachment 31863
December 16th, 2020, 02:04 PM
UNHWildcat18

Re: Which stadium is best?

Can't speak for UNH's stadium but I can say UNH has the rowdiest/best tailgate in New England for college football.
December 16th, 2020, 02:28 PM
nodak651

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go Lehigh TU owl

It's fascinating to see what money gets you. Due to its history and breadth W&M has the extra jingle in their pockets to add a nice brick facade on their renovated home "side". Most FCS state schools (SIU, UNH, JMU, Montana State, SDSU) don't have the resources to cover that extra level of refinement; etc. I need to get to William & Mary sooner rather than later!

Speaking of money and resourses, the renovations or new stadiums at the schools you mentioned all cost the same or more (double) as W&M's renovation. The only exception really is Montana, although they have a better stadium anyways, and they just completed the new Champions Center. You would think with all of that extra jingle in their pockets, W&M would have installed chair back seating in more than 10% of the stadium... but the brick does look nice.
December 16th, 2020, 02:58 PM
nodak651

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by POD Knows

Yea, it is connected to a Canadian owned Hotel chain. The Alerus Center sucks balls, it isn't as bad at that place in Vermillion, SD but that isn't saying much. Everything north of county road 4 in ND should be annexed to Manitoba.

Yeah... it's great when its full - can get surprisingly loud, but if it isn't, much like the old Metrodome in Minneapolis, it can get downright depressing. They have made some nice updates though with the two huge video boards and ribbons. This year we will finally have our logo at mid field again, which will help a little bit with the atmosphere. Seriously... NDSU for a while, and UND for so long.... how could anyone think not putting the school logo at mid field was acceptable?

Anyway, for away fans, its great to have the attached hotel, two bars (one with blackjack), and the indoor water park. People don't have to drive anywhere the whole weekend if they don't want to.

The place would have been way better with even a few rows of endzone seating, but the balconies at each end of the field are a great vantage point to watch the game from. We also get liquor, so that helps!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpYQJxgX...jpg&name=large
December 16th, 2020, 03:28 PM
ngineer

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go Lehigh TU owl

I've been to the popular ones, Washington-Griz, The Fargo Dome, Bobcat Stadium (Montana State), Bridgeforth (JMU), Delaware Stadium, yet the best stadium that I've seen is Princeton and it's not even close imo.

Yep. Princeton's stadium is perfect for FCS football. Clean and modern, great sight lines, convenient concession and rest room location, excellent lighting, good capacity, plenty of room for tailgating, and nice downtown with bars/restaurants within easy walking distance.
December 16th, 2020, 03:38 PM
ngineer

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sader87

Attachment 31855

Fitton Field is a tremendous stadium (on either side) to actually watch a game, literally on top of the field.....atmosphere can be tremendous too depending on opponent, weather etc

Yes, Fitton's sight lines and closeness to the field are great. reminds me of Lehigh's old Taylor Stadium. The only knock on Goodman's is the distance from the sidelines of the grandstands. Designed to accomodate the wider soccer field, which gets rarely used for that purpose now that the Philadelphia's minor league team moved.
December 16th, 2020, 04:54 PM
POD Knows

Re: Which stadium is best?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodak651

Yeah... it's great when its full - can get surprisingly loud, but if it isn't, much like the old Metrodome in Minneapolis, it can get downright depressing. They have made some nice updates though with the two huge video boards and ribbons. This year we will finally have our logo at mid field again, which will help a little bit with the atmosphere. Seriously... NDSU for a while, and UND for so long.... how could anyone think not putting the school logo at mid field was acceptable?

Anyway, for away fans, its great to have the attached hotel, two bars (one with blackjack), and the indoor water park. People don't have to drive anywhere the whole weekend if they don't want to.

The place would have been way better with even a few rows of endzone seating, but the balconies at each end of the field are a great vantage point to watch the game from. We also get liquor, so that helps!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpYQJxgX...jpg&name=large

I really don't have anything against the Alerus Center, it can get really loud in there, noise bounces around that place something fierce. I have stayed at the Canadinn numerous times and it is pretty handy. I used to work Ag shows in the winter time and it was always freaking 20 below zero in February when the Ag show was there. Ran up some pretty big bar tabs at the bars in that place. The combination of maple leaf flags, ****ty weather and working Ag shows makes me grind my teeth over the place.

My position on annexing everything north of county road 4 to Manitoba still stands. :D

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page