Bucket List: Stadiums
I think Michigan and Michigan Stadium are awesome.
That being said, I also enjoy traveling to other stadiums to check out what architecture, environment, and traditions they offer. What other stadiums would you most like to visit?
My list (in approximate order of care):
- Alabama
- Nebraska
- Texas A&M
- LSU
- Penn State
- Rose Bowl
- Indiana
So far I've been to MICH, OSU, ND, MSU, EMU, Texas, SMU, North Texas, Cotton Bowl, and AT&T Stadium (vs Bama).
February 17th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^
I wish I had a time-travel machine and could see another baseball game in the old Tiger Stadium. Went to three or four back in the day, and it was awesome.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:15 PM ^
Having grown up in Metro Detroit, I feel like a part of me grew up at Tiger Stadium because we would go to quite a few games each season, a tradition I continued even into my time at Michigan since the Tigers - terrible though they may have been in the 1990s - still played there at the time. The experience at the final game in 1999 was very electric, but for so many people - myself included - very sad. I don't think there was a dry eye around me when the lights went out for the final time. I know my eyes were certainly in close proximity to onions anyway.
It was a very nice place to catch a ball game.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:35 PM ^
I applaud the movement to have newer stadiums that harken back to the classics of yesteryear. Orioles Stadium in Baltimore is one of those, and it's a nice place to watch a game. Better than the round "multi-purpose" things from the early 1970's.
I had the good fortune of seeing a baseball game in the original Durham Bulls stadium in Durham, NC. This was the stadium shown in the movie "Bull Durham." Back then (1986 or so) tickets were a few bucks, families spread blankets on the lawn seats, and they had awesome hand-cut french fries for $1. The baseball was pretty bad, but the experience was terrific.
The new Durham Bulls stadium is very nice. It's just not the old Bulls stadium.
February 17th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^
Also would like to go to the Iron Bowl at either place, but I won't miss UM v OSU to do it.
February 17th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 12:50 PM ^
My dad, brother and I (all Michigan alum) take a trip each year to an away game, slowing checking off each B1G stadium. Of the ones I've visited Nebraska was by far the best; great fans, awesome environment, good tailgating/bars
Visited
1) Nebraska: As mentioned above, walked into the bar and had beers bought for us from Nebraska fans, thanked us for coming, told us how much they loved Michigan as a traditional football school and being in the B1G. This was the 2012 game where Denard got hurt so not great to be at, but got thanked for coming after the game, received directions on how to get out. Really strange but they were just really nice and excited that Michigan was there. Memorial is an awesome Stadium as well gets quite loud, this was a night game so just added to the experience.
2) Rose Bowl: Feels like the old Big House, went when I was little so didn't take part in the tailgating scene. But just was an awesome experience; Rose Parade then game. Def the number two spot to check off in my opinion.
3) Notre Dame: Again I love the bowl stadium atmosphere. ND has the traditional football legacy, add in the rivalry so there is hate but at the same time a lot of respect which makes for a fun environment to be in. The tailgating scene is probably the best, the parking lot is packed with both Michigan and ND fans. You can alway pop into a Michigan tent and tailgate with them but most of the ND fans are pretty hospitable as well.
4) Penn State: Beaver Stadium is cool, ultra loud. Penn State fans suck but decent tailgating envrionment. Super spread out, so if you have friends on the opposite side of the stadium it is a hike to get to them. Not my favorite but one that you need to check off.
5) Sugar Bowl (Mercedes Benz Superdome*): Superdome is just another pro stadium but you can not beat Burboun Street for a tailgate. Would be number one but it isn't a traditional venue with Michigan in attendance. If Michigan goes back to this bowl, drop everything you are doing and go to it.
6) Indiana: Bloomington is an awesome college town, so go down the night before. Stadium isn't the greatest but its not the largest either so there honestly wasn't a bad seat in it.
7) Northwestern: Tailgating is blah, Stadium is eh but Northwesterns campus is beautiful and it is basically a home game. Def not number one but it is above some of the others.
8) MSU: Turrible, little biased. I haven't been to Spartan Stadium since they remodeled it, man did it use to be awul, Did not like the stadium then and don't see myself liking it now. Sparties gonna sparty so deal with that if you go. Decent tailgate scene but not the best on the list imo.
9) Rutgers: God awful; go just to check it off your list then never go back.
Like to hear peoples thoughts on the stadiums I haven't checked off the list.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:02 PM ^
Yeah just from memory Spartan Stadium sucks. From what I remember it seemed really minor league baseball ish and the upper deck was just terrible on that windy trash tornado day. Their campus is really beautiful in the fall though.
I've only been to OSU for a game against a baby seal (Florida A&M) but it's a lot like here except more advertising during the game so that's kind of distracting.
February 17th, 2016 at 12:51 PM ^
Been to:
ND, Rose Bowl, hawaii, oregon, Colorado, Florida state, Washington, sugar bowl, citrus, outback, purdue, Sparty, Ohio state, penn state, iowa, minny, wiscy, northwestern, and Jerryworld
Big disappointment: purdue (borderline embarrassing), penn state (middle of now where and looked like it had aluminum siding) and sparty (nice gas pump, that is all).
Best (outside A2): Rose bowl, iowa, and ND
Bucket: nebraska and I'm sorry I missed utah. Wherever Michigan plays in the national championship
Ohio State: in terms of college football intensity, although it's not fun, going to columbus is an experience. Like going to a soccer game in Brazil.
February 17th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
I definitely want to hit every Big Ten stadium.
So far I've been to Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Maryland (as well as the Citrus Bowl vs. Florida), with Penn State being my favorite stadium experience.
Beaver Stadium is actually really cool. Ohio Stadium is as well. Spartan Stadium sucks, but it's good to go and make the Michigan presence known. Maryland is not in the same category, but it was cool having the stadium literally be 40% Michigan fans. I have blocked out all memory of Notre Dame because I was there for the 31-0 affair (damn you, Brady Hoke).
Of the remaining Big Ten schools, I'm most looking forward to Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Besides Big Ten schools, out west I'd like to see the Rose Bowl and USC (lucky for me I'm moving to LA in a few months), as well as Autzen.
Nothing in Big 12 country really intrigues me, but I tentatively hope to go to Austin when we play them in like 10 years.
In the South, I'd like to see Clemson and Georgia.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:04 PM ^
Check out Washington's. Great stadium sitting on lake Washington, can tail gate by boat. I also liked Texas and the Rose Bowl.
From your list I can tell you, you can skip Nebraska. Nothing exciting to see there and Lincoln is not the greatest town to visit either.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
No one here has been to Doyt-Perry? #HipsterHotTakes
February 17th, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
I dont comment/post that much, but visiting college campuses and going to various stadiums is a bit of a hobby for me and a group of my buddies so here goes:
Stadiums I have visited with commentary:
RoseBowl- best panoramic view
Sun Devil- Great street scene on Mill Ave after a game
Autzen- loudest 40K fans I have ever heard
Ole Miss- every tailgate fan has to go to the Grove one time in their life
Utah- fans were very accomadating
Boise-smurf turf is pretty cool...see attached pic
LSU- night game vs Alabama in 2014 was awesome...and boy do they drink down there
Huskey Stadium- you have to arrive by boat, awesome experince
Tennessee-no one pulls off the color combos better than the Vols. Volunteer Navy cool too!
Kentucky- not very memorable- but free wifi all over campus 5 years ago!
Arkansas- the coeds in boots was pretty sweet
Missouri- all I remeber was freezing my tail off. This was Suh game in driving rainstorm
Most of the BIG stadiums with exception of recent additions
ON OUR RADAR/BUCKET list:
Georgia-between the hedges!
Bama- just because
Miche- banks of the Hudson in the fall is supposed to be beautiful
Tex A&M-original 12th man
Swamp, VT, Texas, Clemson, Oklahoma, all on radar for future visits!!
Go Blue
February 17th, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 4:43 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 1:19 PM ^
Stadiums I want to visit for a game before I die, roughly in order of interest:
- Rose Bowl (for a Michigan game, not UCLA)
- Wisconsin
- Washington
- Colorado
- ND
- Georgia
- Cal
- LSU
- Nebraska
- FSU
- Florida
- Penn
- Oregon
- LA Coliseum
- Yale
More PAC-12 schools than I expected when I started the list.
I've been to (and therefore have been omitted from the bucket list) OSU, MSU, PSU, Texas, Indiana, Northwestern, Maryland, Virginia, Vandy, Army, Citrus, Orange ("Sun Life" or whatever it's called), WMU, EMU.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:19 PM ^
on multiple occasions....they have done a really nice job with renovations not only to stadium but surrounding areas as well...
February 17th, 2016 at 1:22 PM ^
I haven't been to a ton of stadiums, but I would love to visit:
PSU at night during a white out, just for the experience
The Rose Bowl....just for the sake of tradition
The Whore's Shoe if I could get onto the field to piss on the 50-yard line
February 17th, 2016 at 1:27 PM ^
That setting at dusk is possibly the best in sports outside of Husky stadium.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:29 PM ^
Texas and Oklahoma are places I'd want to go. I've been to Kansas and K-State when I lived in that area. Also been to many of the B1G schools...MSU, Northwestern, Purdue, Indiana...Want to see Penn State.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^
Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl
Also, Tennessee so I can say that I tailgated on a boat and cheer for Mike DeBord.
February 17th, 2016 at 5:41 PM ^
Same here. The only one that I would truly consider a bucket list item is going to the Rose Bowl Game with Michigan playing in it. I'd also love to go to the Sugar Bowl just because I think New Orleans is an awesome city and would be a blast to pregame in the French Quarter.
I've been to a bunch of stadiums and the top experience was proabably UM @ Notre Dame in 2006. Obviously, my favorable opinion was molded in-part by the fact that Michigan blew the doors off the Irish that day. Prior to the Brandon era abasement of the gameday experience at the Big House, Notre Dame was the only place I've been to that had purist tradition like Michigan's (no piped in music, no ads, no big screen). And their fans were very hospitable. Contrast that to Ohio State which was basically a dumpster fire outside the stadium where you need to tread carefully if you choose to wear Maize & Blue. Their drunken mouthbreather fans will be in your grill pretty much nonstop. I was there for the game in your avatar and doubt I will ever go back. I did sing the Victors on the concourse in the Horseshoe with a few hundred other Michigan fans after that win so that was pretty awesome.
In the south I've been to UGA, GT, UF, UT, UK, Bama, Auburn, & Clemson. Clemson & Auburn were the loudest. UGA best tailgating. Never made it to LSU but they'd be on the top of my list of SEC places I haven't visited.
February 17th, 2016 at 6:11 PM ^
You witnessed the Drew Henson naked bootleg game-winning TD? I'm am jealous beyond comprehension.
I have in-laws in the Columbus region, so I should attend a UM-OSU game at some point. But the game day scene you describe is exactly why I've shied away from it. But I will do it someday.
Rose Bowl with Michigan playing is a bucket list item. I regret not going when I was a UM student.
February 17th, 2016 at 7:40 PM ^
Yeah. The game itself was great. Columbus is just an incredibly unwelcoming place. The thing I remember most is just how much trash was strewn all over the place, like, everywhere. The bootleg happened in the endzone opposite where I was sitting. That '00 season was just such a disappointment for the most part. That game they actually lived up to the hype/potential.
Definitely regret not going to Pasadena in 2005 & 2006. Especially the Texas game.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:35 PM ^
Aside from The Big House (which I last visited for Bo's final game - heresay, I know), I really enjoyed the '97 game at PSU. I thought the scene before, AND after, was fantastic. The stadium itself was kinda bland, but the student body was welcoming and sporting. Even when our small table was drowning out the entire Lions Den when singing fight songs Friday night! I'd recommend it for a good visit.
Other places I've been are the Big Sombrero in Tampa, for the '88 HoF Bowl against Bama. Glad that place was demolished... Raymond James is a nice enough replacement. Aloha Stadium should go the way of the Sombrero, despite the GORGEOUS location. I visited LSU's stadium on a quite summer afternoon, and you could still feel the gameday electricity - the friggen' dorms open INTO the stadium, fer crissakes! Would love to see a game there.
Tiger Stadium lives up to all of the fond memories you will ever hear. That place was magical, even when compared to Camden (which I can do, having been to several games at each). The Silverdome... Ughh. Ford Field isn't so bad, but still is too businessy to be nice.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 2:13 PM ^
College stadiums at which I have attended a game:
Michigan, MSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Northwestern, South Carolina, Miami (Orange Bowl - a dump), Miami (Dolphins Satdium), WMU, CMU, EMU (plenty of tickets available).
Other college stadiums I've been to:
Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Texas, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Miami (Not That Miami). Of those, I'd love to see a game at Georgia, Texas and Colorado. Tailgating in Athens and Austin would be a blast and Boulder is beautiful with the mountains just outside of town.
February 17th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 2:43 PM ^
-Michigan Stadium
-The Shoe
-Evans Field (Northwestern)
-Sanford Stadium (UGa) - great place to see a game, and Athens is a great town. Was there last year when UGa beat the snot out of Auburn.
-Sugar Bowl - stadium is blah, but it's NOLA
-Raymond James - for the Outback Bowl. Nice stadium, but the video board and the acoustics are just awful.
Where I need to go:
-Kyle Field
-Death Valley for an LSU-Bama game
-Iron Bowl - doesn't matter where, but if i had to pick a spot it'd be Bryant-Denny
-The Rose Bowl
-Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)
-ND Stadium
-Happy Valley - only if they're playing Michigan and if it's a night game
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February 17th, 2016 at 7:14 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 3:27 PM ^
Illinois is gunna be pissed.
February 17th, 2016 at 3:29 PM ^
Unless you're going there to see Michigan or you have a B1G bucket list, I don't see how that one makes the list. It's pretty lame for football.
February 17th, 2016 at 4:05 PM ^
I did three years of hard time (read: professional school) in Bloomington. The tailgate fields should be on your bucket list. The stadium is good for lulz and seeing #chaosteam in person and nothing else.
February 17th, 2016 at 4:38 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 4:50 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 5:15 PM ^
I didn't think it was that overrated at least from an experience side of things, which I think is most of what makes a stadium trip. They really are disorientingly nice, I thought they were messing with us at first.
Memorial is not the most aesthetically pleasing stadium by any stretch but I think it is the culture and the atmoshere that make Nebraska a must go to venue.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:59 PM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 10:51 PM ^
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February 18th, 2016 at 5:31 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 11:40 PM ^
I want to do the entire Big Ten + ND (only counting Michigan games)
I've knocked out:
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Penn State
Indiana
Northwestern
Minnesota
Illinois
Purdue
To go:
Iowa
Wisconsin
Nebraska
Rutgers
Maryland
February 17th, 2016 at 11:43 PM ^
So far only:
Detroit
Chicago
Columbus
Minnesota
February 18th, 2016 at 5:28 AM ^
February 18th, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^
Two of my favorite places are The Swamp and Notre Dame. Florida is a great place to see a game, but make sure it is an SEC Match-up for the best atmosphere. You will run into your fair share of mug-wumps around that stadium, but I really enjoy the scene inside Florida Field
Notre Dame is interesting. Tens of thousands of people on campus, and not a spec of trash anywhere....kind of like Disney World. I used to hate them like poison, but the fans in the stadium are among the nicest people you will meet. Completely different from the delusional ND fanatics that over-run the internet.