Best and Worst place to play

[tampajag]

The band played in the end zone stands as if they had no idea there was a football game going on.

I think this is an HBCU thing 'cause it was the same at Hampton. There's absolutely no connection between the game and the band...only that they're in the same place at the same time. Actually, it's kinda annoying.

It's actually not like that at every school, Southern for sure doesn't do that.

[∞∞∞]

I think this is an HBCU thing 'cause it was the same at Hampton. There's absolutely no connection between the game and the band...only that they're in the same place at the same time. Actually, it's kinda annoying.

It's actually not like that at every school, Southern for sure doesn't do that.

Maybe it's just a MEAC thing then.

[LDopaPDX]

Portland State's old Civic Stadium, which was renovated into PGE Park around 2000 and further renovated into a very nice Jelf-Wen Stadium last year was the worst venue on the West Coast by a country mile.

It was a baseball park, so there was just this weird void behind the visitors bench that stretch about 200 feet back. Plus, it was just old school Astroturf stretched over a parking lot that was actually cited by the NCAA for the number of injuries that happened on it's surface.

Strangely, I'd now rate it as one of the best venues on the West Coast, as good as just about any including WA-Griz. I believe seating will be around 23,000 for football with two different luxury suite areas for high rollers and since it is off-campus, it includes beer service to the boxes and drink service outside the seating area in all parts of the stadium. Most of the seats are fold-down variety made for MLS pro soccer.

[tampajag]

It's actually not like that at every school, Southern for sure doesn't do that.

Maybe it's just a MEAC thing then.

I'd agree with that, SWAC refs will flag you on that

[ODUalum11]

I've only been to three FCS stadiums - ODU, NCCU and Delaware. NCCU was pretty and the fans mostly were welcoming:

NCCU had a very nice set-up and it was a pleasant experience being there. They're actually renovating that stadium as well if I remember correctly.

Also with the bands playing during the game at Hampton, that had to be the most annoying thing I've dealt with during the season.

[Tribal]

I'm only writing about CAA:

Worst Stadium
Pre-2010: Richmond
Post 2010: Villanova

Most, ah, "difficult" fans DURING the game:
JMU

Best stadium
JMU

Most welcoming fans
1a W&M
1b Villanova
2 Delaware (talk a lot but always open to have a cold one with you after the game)

Best for planning a 3-day weekend
W&M

Place you want to leave immediately after the game
Towson

Pre-2010 the worst facility was undoubtedly Parsons Field. I loved the trip up there, but the stadium was a disaster.

This place was terrible. Yea, NE's wasn't much better but UR's old stadium was just terrible.

[ODUalum11]

Pre-2010 the worst facility was undoubtedly Parsons Field. I loved the trip up there, but the stadium was a disaster.

This place was terrible. Yea, NE's wasn't much better but UR's old stadium was just terrible.

Wasn't Northeastern's field also their baseball field?

VMI has a reall nice background of some of their buildings on campus...

[danefan]

Best I ever played in was Wa-Griz.

Worst was Canisius (old MAAC) team.
Worst still in existence is St Francis. One necessarily the worst field, but by far the worst atmosphere. In the middle of nowhere and it felt like the campus had no idea they Eden had a football team. Not t mention the lockerroom was a 10 minute walk from the field.

Albany might be a shit hole stadium, but the field is always in great shape.

[danefan]

This place was terrible. Yea, NE's wasn't much better but UR's old stadium was just terrible.

Wasn't Northeastern's field also their baseball field?

VMI has a reall nice background of some of their buildings on campus...

Yes, NU had a baseball field in the same location, but they moved the stands in over th baseball field during football season. That field sucked to play at as well, especially because Northeastern was actually pretty good when I played. Ranked #1 at one point, and very very tough at home.

[ODUalum11]

[dunbar]

Not the best place to play, but it's hard to beat Orono in the fall. The new turf they put in three years ago plays real nice and is much better than that old AstroConcrete.






Northeastern really sucked though...

[ODUalum11]

Probably my favorite stadium in FCS. The Yale Bowl....

[ODUsmitty]

The most welcoming: easily North Carolina Central. They made food trays for our kids after the game for the ride home. The previous year at ODU, their fans were loud but great. My favorite MEAC school.

Would be interested for Cal-Poly fans to comment on ODU. Many commented to my wife and I about our atmosphere, and they were social and respectful during that shootout game. I hope those that made the trip remember it fondly.

Hampton was a dump. Its band violated NCAA rules. I hated it. If NSU is anything similar, I hope that series dies a quick death.

[ODUalum11]

The most welcoming: easily North Carolina Central. They made food trays for our kids after the game for the ride home. The previous year at ODU, their fans were loud but great. My favorite MEAC school.

Would be interested for Cal-Poly fans to comment on ODU. Many commented to my wife and I about our atmosphere, and they were social and respectful during that shootout game. I hope those that made the trip remember it fondly.

Hampton was a dump. Its band violated NCAA rules. I hated it. If NSU is anything similar, I hope that series dies a quick death.

And then remember at the Hampton game when our band started to play they almost immediately told them to stop? I hope we never go back to Hampton.

[Willie]

I've always thought Harvard's stadium looks tits.

[Tribe4SF]

Pre-2010 the worst facility was undoubtedly Parsons Field. I loved the trip up there, but the stadium was a disaster.

This place was terrible. Yea, NE's wasn't much better but UR's old stadium was just terrible.

I actually liked City Stadium. Visitor seating was awesome, and concessions ok. I used to roam behind the seats and watch over the wall, following play up and down the field. The playing surface was the last really good bermuda field in the league. We used to tailgate right outside the visitor entrance. It was great having 5-7K Tribe fans there.

[tampajag]

stolen from AGS (I personally have nothing against Georgia Southern cuz I've never been there, I just like the pussy ass reason why this person thinks its the worse place to play)

GEORGIA SOUTHERN - Other than its just a miserable place to get to, I listened to three hours of vulgarity. I doubt I will ever go back (and I'm sure they won't mind).

vulgarity? grow the **** up

[tampajag]

ranking the SWAC as a whole 1 being best 10 being worst
1. Alcorn
2. Southern
3. Jackson St
4. AAMU
5. Grambling
6. UAPB
tie 7. Texas Southern (when they play at Relient or Robertson Stadium)
tie 7. PVU (same as TSU)
9. Alabama St
10. MVSU

[ASUG8]

I'm working my way through the SoCon - still haven't been to Elon, Chatty, or GSU yet, but I'll check off Elon this season. I'll have to give App the homer vote for gameday and facilities so far. Here's a quick rundown of our experiences:

Western Carolina - nice mountain setting, the crowds come out for the ASU/WCU rivalry. Framed in nicely with the Ramsey center at one end, and they've dramatically improved the visitor's side over the years. Had a few drunk rednecks driving through the App tailgate area yelling some things, but a pretty good experience overall.

Wofford - raining when I was there, but Gibbs stadium is a nice venue. The Panthers practice fields are adjacent to the stadium, so there's a ton of available parking for tailgating. The Wofford crowd is a little reserved vs. the App folks, but we tend to travel pretty well and overrun most places.

Furman - Paladin stadium is a great setting, heavily wooded and the campus is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Ample tailgating right next to the stadium and the fans were friendly. It was raining that day too - Furman had planned a "white out" for the App game, but it was a mishmash of different colored raingear and the crowd simply didn't show up for FU. The App folks completely filled the visitor's side.

The Citadel - when it's sunny in Charleston this is a great place to see a game. Parking is easy and close to the field, the fans are loud and it's a great gameday environment. The facilities have been remodeled and mirror the architecture on the campus. I'm looking forward to heading back there this season.

Samford - small stadium (around 8K I think) but we had a great time in Birmingham - very cool town. Samford doesn't get much support being in the heart of Alabama and Auburn territory, but they have a beautiful campus. I didn't get the feeling they've seen much hardcore tailgating on their campus with some of the looks the Bulldog fans had on their faces as they passed through our area. The only problem we had there was that it was 96 degrees at gametime and they ran out of bottled water at the stadium midway through the first quarter.

[grizzaholic]

stolen from AGS (I personally have nothing against Georgia Southern cuz I've never been there, I just like the pussy ass reason why this person thinks its the worse place to play)

GEORGIA SOUTHERN - Other than its just a miserable place to get to, I listened to three hours of vulgarity. I doubt I will ever go back (and I'm sure they won't mind).

vulgarity? grow the **** up

The only time I ever have a problem with vulgarity are:

1) When the guy/gal swears the entire game, after each play, he knows what is right and wants everyone around him to know it.
2) When there are a little kid or two near by and having asked nicely to tone down his language a little and he/she keeps it up.

[tampajag]

stolen from AGS (I personally have nothing against Georgia Southern cuz I've never been there, I just like the pussy ass reason why this person thinks its the worse place to play)



vulgarity? grow the **** up

The only time I ever have a problem with vulgarity are:

1) When the guy/gal swears the entire game, after each play, he knows what is right and wants everyone around him to know it.
2) When there are a little kid or two near by and having asked nicely to tone down his language a little and he/she keeps it up.

I agree with your two points. the only problem I ever have is with somebody being blatantly disrespectful. I expect foul language and some hostility when I go to road games. The only place I wouldn't take a kid is Jackson because the hatred between the two fan bases is real and it gets heated quickly. I love going there but I would rather go with the guys than go with family.

[Silenoz]

Best place for the Griz to play (other than home) is probably MSU's stadium. No track, seats reasonably close to the field, passionate fans. Plus the atmosphere of the rivalry. Should be even better with the expansion this year

[GannonFan]

Wasn't Northeastern's field also their baseball field?

VMI has a reall nice background of some of their buildings on campus...

Yes, NU had a baseball field in the same location, but they moved the stands in over th baseball field during football season. That field sucked to play at as well, especially because Northeastern was actually pretty good when I played. Ranked #1 at one point, and very very tough at home.

Northeastern was a #1 ranked team at one point? When was that????

[ODUalum11]

Yes, NU had a baseball field in the same location, but they moved the stands in over th baseball field during football season. That field sucked to play at as well, especially because Northeastern was actually pretty good when I played. Ranked #1 at one point, and very very tough at home.

Northeastern was a #1 ranked team at one point? When was that????

Thats what I'm trying to figure out as well. Not sure if he's talking about the Baseball team or Football team at NU. Either way, still shocking.

Also, I know its not the biggest stadium in FCS but I imagine Richmond's new stadium is a pretty nice place to play. Different sport but when I went to an ODU-Richmond game a couple years ago up in Richmond their fans were actually very pleasant even after ODU lost.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

I'll catch hell for this - but the Fargodome ends up in the middle - the atmosphere in the Dome - especially for big games is electric - and the fans are right on top of the field - better than some FBS games

however - the turf at the Dome - is apparently WORSE than the turf was at the Metrodome in the late 90's - a surface I played on in three playoff games in HS... and was miserable.

I've heard that USD's Dakota Dome turf is even worse - from a buddy who played there for a year... that sounds scary.

Looking at TJ's pics though - leads me to say that MVSU is the worst... yuck.

And, as much as it pains me... Wa-Griz is the class of FCS, the field is top-notch, 25k+ at every game, and they are always in to it...