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2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:30 am
by dbackjon
Have at it!

http://www.stadiumjourney.com/news/12-2 ... -rankings/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1) Cold and Loud
2) Woodchipper Dome
3) Purple Streamers
4) Always loses to Cold and Loud
5) Beach Chickens
6) Some Bears
7) JSO Land
8) Old, Dusty Pee Wall
9) Cap'n Played Here
10) New Owls

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:38 am
by 89Hen
I have to say that I know nothing about Mercer or Kennesaw, but I was surprised to see them in the top 10. But then I got a little further down and saw...

21. Multi-Sport Field - Home of the Georgetown Hoyas

Validity completely thrown out the window with GU at 21. :dunce: :tothehand:

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:41 am
by dbackjon
89Hen wrote:I have to say that I know nothing about Mercer or Kennesaw, but I was surprised to see them in the top 10. But then I got a little further down and saw...

21. Multi-Sport Field - Home of the Georgetown Hoyas

Validity completely thrown out the window with GU at 21. :dunce: :tothehand:
I saw that too and laughed.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:57 am
by JohnStOnge
Depends on what you like. I don't think anybody would argue with the top two for sure though there might be argument about which should be 1 and which should be 2. But to me the author got that right.

What's interesting about McNeese being there is that the author visited there for absolutely the worst game to go to of this past season. He came for the Mississippi College game. Mississippi College was 1-9 last year and finished 2-8 this year so everybody knew it'd be the smallest crowd of the season.

Full disclosure though: I think the author had seen Cowboy Stadium on better days because I think he's a Nicholls State alum. Tried to quickly verify that with Google searching just now and couldn't but I think that's the case.

You do have to give the group credit for actually going to games at 125 FCS stadiums. At least they actually went to look first hand.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:59 am
by bandl
JohnStOnge wrote:Depends on what you like.
Clearly you've never been to a Georgetown home football/lacrosse/soccer game.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:01 am
by 93henfan
Delaware in the top 8 is a pretty sad indictment of everyone from 9 on down.

The last excitement at Delaware Stadium was over half a decade ago now.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:02 am
by bandl
93henfan wrote:Delaware in the top 8 is a pretty sad indictment of everyone from 9 on down.

The last excitement at Delaware Stadium was over half a decade ago now.
Probably longer than that. I haven't been to a UD game in about 8 years.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:04 am
by JohnStOnge
The thing with Georgetown made me recall something. Years ago my daughter went to Europe to tour with Sound of America. Before going the group practiced at Gettysburg College. I remember being able to look down at the football stadium from the dorm building my daughter was in and thought that little stadium and the setting it was in looked SO cool. Thought to myself that one day I'd really like to watch a football game there just because it was such a cool looking scene. Never did of course. But maybe whoever in the group visited there thought he (or maybe even she) saw something like that about Georgetown's little stadium.

Found this pic of the Gettysburg College venue:

Image

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:06 am
by bandl
JohnStOnge wrote:The thing with Georgetown made me recall something. Years ago my daughter went to Europe to tour with Sound of America. Before going the group practiced at Gettysburg College. I remember being able to look down at the football stadium from the dorm building my daughter was in and thought that little stadium and the setting it was in looked SO cool. Thought to myself that one day I'd really like to watch a football game there just because it was such a cool looking scene. Never did of course. But maybe the guy just thought he saw something like that about Georgetown's little stadium.

Image
Clearly you've never been to a Georgetown home football/lacrosse/soccer game.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:07 am
by 93henfan
Shark Field at Musselman Stadium. Sounds like a stadium from SpongeBob.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:25 am
by Mvemjsunpx
Stadiumjourney isn't really a "professional" reviewing outfit; everything is reviewed by amateur fans. For example: the guy that reviewed both WaGriz & Bobcat Stadium is BelgradeBobcat, a guy that regularly posts on Bobcatnation.

The reviews are well done for a site that's soliciting amateur write-ups, but the consistency & objectivity is nowhere near total.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:25 am
by 89Hen
JSO, you need to trust us on this. Georgetown anywhere in the top 100 is comical. Also...

67. Princeton Stadium - Home of the Princeton Tigers

Princeton Stadium is undoubtedly in the top 3 I-AA stadiums in the country. I don't care how bad the atmosphere is, it's Ivy, it's beautiful and the stadium alone has to put it in the top 20.

Image

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:29 am
by Ibanez
Something tells me these cats never went to Brooks Stadium.


Or they just love that our half time show has Hooters girls.
You can almost hear the roar of the surf and smell the ocean from Brooks Stadium, home for Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers (pronounced SHON-ti-clear). Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the east coast, and a quick glance of the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will list copious accolades garnered by Myrtle Beach. For a mid-level university, the game-day atmosphere at Brooks Stadium is outstanding. Reflecting its southern surroundings, the pre-game activities, such as tailgating, is relaxed and genteel.
Yes, 12 miles away you can almost hear the roar of the surf and smell the ocean. Located in Conway, SC, who never cares about b/c Myrtle Beach is down the road. RUMPSPRINGA! It's got bitches, beaches, booze, Canadians, Ohioans and drunk Jersey girls with their wet hair and jean skirts.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:31 am
by 89Hen
Mvemjsunpx wrote:Stadiumjourney isn't really a "professional" reviewing outfit; everything is reviewed by amateur fans. For example: the guy that reviewed both WaGriz & Bobcat Stadium is BelgradeBobcat, a guy that regularly posts on Bobcatnation.

The reviews are well done for a site that's soliciting amateur write-ups, but the consistency & objectivity is nowhere near total.
Then don't post it. It would be like me ranking cricket venues in India. :tothehand:

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:34 am
by Ibanez
Whoa! They include CSU in a list of 125 stadiums. Nope. Sorry.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:34 am
by Mvemjsunpx
89Hen wrote:
Mvemjsunpx wrote:Stadiumjourney isn't really a "professional" reviewing outfit; everything is reviewed by amateur fans. For example: the guy that reviewed both WaGriz & Bobcat Stadium is BelgradeBobcat, a guy that regularly posts on Bobcatnation.

The reviews are well done for a site that's soliciting amateur write-ups, but the consistency & objectivity is nowhere near total.
Then don't post it. It would be like me ranking cricket venues in India. :tothehand:
Well, the reviewers have actually been to the stadiums, so it's not quite that bad. I think they have some standards (I don't think just anyone can post a write-up without review), just not as much as you'd expect from a more journalistic outfit.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:35 am
by dbackjon
89Hen wrote:
Mvemjsunpx wrote:Stadiumjourney isn't really a "professional" reviewing outfit; everything is reviewed by amateur fans. For example: the guy that reviewed both WaGriz & Bobcat Stadium is BelgradeBobcat, a guy that regularly posts on Bobcatnation.

The reviews are well done for a site that's soliciting amateur write-ups, but the consistency & objectivity is nowhere near total.
Then don't post it. It would be like me ranking cricket venues in India. :tothehand:

Sure thing, Sougat.

http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/top- ... s-in-india" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:37 am
by 89Hen
4. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad

That's some bullshit. RGI is definitely relying on it's laurels when it was the VI. :coffee:

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:40 am
by 89Hen
Mvemjsunpx wrote:
89Hen wrote: Then don't post it. It would be like me ranking cricket venues in India. :tothehand:
Well, the reviewers have actually been to the stadiums, so it's not quite that bad. I think they have some standards (I don't think just anyone can post a write-up without review), just not as much as you'd expect from a more journalistic outfit.
Yes, it is that bad. I didn't look to see that the website was actually named "Stadium Journey". That makes it a whole lot worse. A website dedicated to stadiums has this shitty of a ranking... :tothehand:

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:54 am
by JohnStOnge
It's subjective. Another thing is that as I read their criteria the stadium itself is not among them. I would've rated Nicholls State higher given the criteria, by the way. They have horrible attendance. But they sell various brands of beer inside the stadium during the game. Plus since they don't have good attendance you don't have to wait in line long for it so you can keep re loading throughout the contest. Also, they have a really nice party tailgate type thing. Frankly, walking in, I think they have more people at that than ever go into the stadium. They usually if not always have a live band playing and to my recollection the live band is always good. At least in my opinion. It's a really good party atmosphere.

They also have really, really good looking Cajun Queen co-eds all over the place outside the stadium for the party. And they've got that sexy accent.

Only thing is they don't know how to make jambalaya if you go by the jambalaya they sell inside the stadium. That's kind of a disappointment. You go to a high school football game where I live in Ascension Parish and you can get jambalaya to die for. Apparently they just don't get it in LaFourche Parish. Probably ought to sell something they're better at. Maybe seafood gumbo or something.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:04 pm
by 89Hen
JohnStOnge wrote:It's subjective. Another thing is that as I read their criteria the stadium itself is not among them.
So it's only getting worse for the 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

:dunce: :dunce: :dunce:

edit, I just looked and the actual stadium sure as shit is accounted for...

Stadium experiences are rated by our correspondents based on the FANFARE scale: F (food & beverage inside the stadium), A (the overall atmosphere), N (the neighborhood where the stadium resides), F (the fans), A (access to and inside the stadium), R (overall return on investment), and E (an "extras" category for any unique features not covered adequately in our other categories). Where ties exist, we use the ratings of our members.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 6:38 pm
by JohnStOnge
What I mean,Hen, is that the "impressiveness" of the stadium itself is not in and of itself a factor.

Makes me think of St. Amant High School in Louisiana. If you're looking for an impressive stadium by high school standards it's not the place. It's got the light poles with old style incandescent lights actually in FRONT of the stands. Old as hell. But if you're looking for an experience...well...it's fantastic. It's like being in some kind of swamp beast horror novel. And the jambalaya...OMGosh. You can do better there than you could do going to the fanciest restaurant in New Orleans.

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:00 pm
by BDKJMU
89Hen wrote:JSO, you need to trust us on this. Georgetown anywhere in the top 100 is comical. Also...

67. Princeton Stadium - Home of the Princeton Tigers

Princeton Stadium is undoubtedly in the top 3 I-AA stadiums in the country. I don't care how bad the atmosphere is, it's Ivy, it's beautiful and the stadium alone has to put it in the top 20.

Image
Well, GT doesn't have a track around it, and having a track is a major fail. So for me 90% of the time a stadium with no track is better than one with a track. With that said, I don't care if no track and how good the setting is, if you're under 5k (and in this case 2.5k), you shouldn't be in the top half. So I would rate them near last for the stadiums that don't have tracks, around 60-80th..

Agree on Princeton. In terms of beauty, top. 3, and even with atmosphere, top 20. Ironically they have the top 5 Ivy schools:
#23 Penn
#29 Dartmouth
#30 Yale
#33 Harvard.
#67 Princeton

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:47 pm
by BDKJMU
I've been to a game every CAA stadium except SBU & Elon. And I've been to Elon's stadium, just not a game. URI & Albany once, the other 8 multiple games. Copying off an old list comprised mostly from wiki), here's how I would rate the CAA (just stadiums, not incouding atmosphere) compared to their ranking (I agree with their top 3).
-3. JMU: 25k, no track, FieldTurf, opened 1975, major renovation/expansion 2011.
-8. UD: 22k, no track, FieldTurf, opened 1952, last renovation 1993. A relic, but good site lines.
-24. Elon: 11.25k, no track, grass, opened 2001 (bonus for real grass).
-79. UA: 8k, no track, FieldTurf, brand new stadium 2013.
-82. SBU: 8.3k, no track, FieldTurf, opened 2002.
-85. W&M: 12.3k, track, FieldTurf, opened 1935, major renovation done by 2016, with expansion to 15.6k. W&M's new 2nd deck on the one side in similar in shape to Albanys 2nd deck home side, but W&M's is nicer looking, with a way bigger away side. But still will have stupid gap between the 45 yard lines on the smaller side wasting prime seating space (even dumber than a track), and still the track.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4140/474 ... 4932_z.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-27 UR: 8.7k, track, FieldTurf, opened 2010.
-50. TU: , 11.2k, track, FieldTurf, opened 1978, major renovation 2002.
-65. VU: 12.5k, track, FieldTurf, opened 1927, major renovation 1999.
-73. URI: 5.2k, track, grass, opened 1928, major renovation 2006. (bonus for grass).
-58. Maine, 10k, track, FieldTurf, opened 1998.
-42. UNH: 6.5, track, FieldTurf, opened 1936, new 10-12k capacity stadium opens 2016. The new stadium I'd move to 5th ahead of W&M. Still have a stupid track around field.
http://unhstadium.com/gallery/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: 2015 FCS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 7:59 am
by 93henfan
UD had a major renovation in 1993? That's news to me.