Best 20 Stadiums in FCS

[∞∞∞]

lol, what's up with this obsession with stadiums?

[BlackFalkin]

Qualities of a Stadium:

Whats the capacity?
Does it have a track?
Is it enclosed?
Is it double decked?
Does it have a tunnel/special entrance?
Does it have a nice pressbox?
Does is have good grass or artificial turf?
Does it have a video board?

[CAA Flagship]

-20 for 2 sided stadium (seating) or-10 for 3 sided stadium (seating)
+5 if you have a building in the endzone

Not sure I understand those. Should be minus points for ONE sided stadiums, but why should a place like GSU get dinged for having "only" two sides? Compare the view at GSU with the new endzone section they built 80 yards away from the goalposts at Southern. GSU wins hands down.

And what does a building in the endzone have to do with anything? I acutally hate that design.

Heck, I was thinking we could only be discussing stadiums with at least 2 sides. But yes, -40 points for one sided stadiums.

Again, buildings add to the "enclosure" of the stadium. But all points are subject to a little adjustment. A building 80 yards away is not "in" the stadium, is it? However, buildings not in the stadium but close enough to produce and "enclosed" feel to the stadium should receive some merit.

[Skjellyfetti]

and, University of Washington's stadium easily makes the top 20 in I-A.

Because it's near the water? Looking at that set-up, I'm not sure it's in the top 50 (not joking).

There are tons of stadiums that you never hear much about that are better looking than that.

It's in most rankings. You can say you find it unattractive if you'd like. No point in arguing aesthetics, really.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/6437023

And, yeah, I think the setting adds to the stadium. It adds a whole lot to Neyland Stadium, Beaver Stadium, etc.... and it also adds a whole lot to Kidd Brewer Stadium:

Then why did they remove it?

Because they built Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

I don't think anyone prefers a track. But, I certainly disagree with you that the presence of a track should automatically knock a stadium out of the top 20. Would you have not had Ohio Stadium in your top 20 in 1997? I doubt it. Likewise... I do not believe there are 20 stadiums in FCS that are better than Kidd Brewer.

[89Hen]

A building 80 yards away is not "in" the stadium, is it?

It is at Southern.

[BlackFalkin]

I don't think anyone prefers a track. But, I certainly disagree with you that the presence of a track should automatically knock a stadium out of the top 20. Would you have not had Ohio Stadium in your top 20 in 1997? I doubt it. Likewise... I do not believe there are 20 stadiums in FCS that are better than Kidd Brewer.

Having a track does knock UW out of the top 20 IMO, but it does knock it back to #20

[89Hen]

It's in most rankings. You can say you find it unattractive if you'd like. No point in arguing aesthetics, really.

I do not believe there are 20 stadiums in FCS that are better than Kidd Brewer.

I don't think UW is in most rankings (I'll take your word on that one, I can't open it). It's not just aesthetics, it's a nothing stadium. Looks more like a soccer stadium than football. Reminds me of Byrd here at Maryland with the lower bowl and higher sides. Byrd is a dump.

As for K-B, you're right there. There aren't 20 better, but it's certainly the exception. With all I-A's removing their tracks, a track is going to make I-AA stadiums look more and more bush league.

[CAA Flagship]

Qualities of a Stadium:

Whats the capacity?
Does it have a track?
Is it enclosed?
Is it double decked?
Does it have a tunnel/special entrance?
Does it have a nice pressbox?
Does is have good grass or artificial turf?
Does it have a video board?

I forgot the pressbox. This will certainly knock down Old Dominion a bit. But everybody has pressboxes, so this line item will have to be subjective also. Let's say something like a scale of 0 to +5 points depending on how impressive it looks. Not sure if +5 is enough compensation but let's start the debate on how much it is worth.

[89Hen]

I don't think UW is in most rankings (I'll take your word on that one, I can't open it).

http://www.americasbestonline.net/cstadiums.htm
23. Husky Stadium, University of Washington

This one is a two parter so unless Husky is in the top 12, it's not here either. I bring this one up because it has Princeton at #15 of ALL DI's!

http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/conte ... tary.shtml

[BlackFalkin]

Qualities of a Stadium:

Whats the capacity?
Does it have a track?
Is it enclosed?
Is it double decked?
Does it have a tunnel/special entrance?
Does it have a nice pressbox?
Does is have good grass or artificial turf?
Does it have a video board?

I forgot the pressbox. This will certainly knock down Old Dominion a bit. But everybody has pressboxes, so this line item will have to be subjective also. Let's say something like a scale of 0 to +5 points depending on how impressive it looks. Not sure if +5 is enough compensation but let's start the debate on how much it is worth.

agreed, however, I liked the + - bc either you have it or ya dont...


ex. WaGriz @ Montana
+25k capacity
+ no track
+ enclosed
+ double decked
+tunnel
+nice pressbox
+nice artificial turf
+great video board

Grade=8

ex. Woodward Field @ Eastern

- 8,500 capacity
- does have a track
- not fully enclosed
- no 2nd deck
+ does have a special entrance
+ nice pressbox
- has nice grass but weather turns it to mud late in the season.
+ Gettin new board after this season.

Grade=3

this is bullet proof

[Skjellyfetti]

I kinda like the way Dennis Dodd did it in the article I linked above.

4 categories... Atmosphere, Tradition, History, Architecture

Each category gets 1-10 based on quality of each category.

Ranked highest to lowest.

Still a lot of subjectivity... but, you aren't going to be able to eliminate subjectivity from rankings like this.

[CAA Flagship]

I understand how you ranked them, but I don't feel each line item should carry equal weight. You just can't get a point for a nice field and a point for a fully enclosed stadium. The fully enclosed stadium has to be worth more than the field. A lot more.

[Skjellyfetti]

I understand how you ranked them, but I don't feel each line item should carry equal weight. You just can't get a point for a nice field and a point for a fully enclosed stadium. The fully enclosed stadium has to be worth more than the field. A lot more.

I don't think there are many stadiums in FCS that are really fully enclosed. Washington Griz, and some Ivy League stadiums are the only truly enclosed stadiums I can think of. Seating of four ends doesn't equal fully enclosed imo.

[wideright82]

Villanova Stadium..... #1.





CLOSE THE THREAD CHRIS... ITS SETTLED!

[89Hen]

Delaware
+ 22k capacity
+ no track
+ enclosed
+ hedges
+ tunnel
+ granite piss wall
+ natural grass
+ great video board
+ steep sides

Grade = 9



Actually the size and steepness (sight lines) are the best things about the Tub itself. It is very dated. #10 is about as high as I'd put it.

[Ivytalk]

This list is much, much better.

Agreed! It included the four best Ivy stadiums.

[CAA Flagship]

I understand how you ranked them, but I don't feel each line item should carry equal weight. You just can't get a point for a nice field and a point for a fully enclosed stadium. The fully enclosed stadium has to be worth more than the field. A lot more.

I don't think there are many stadiums in FCS that are really fully enclosed. Washington Griz, and some Ivy League stadiums are the only truly enclosed stadiums I can think of. Seating of four ends doesn't equal fully enclosed imo.

Sure. I called it 4-sided. BF called it "enclosed". I was assuming he meant 4 sided but I don't know.
But don't you think it should be weighted accordingly?

[Thumper 76]

For those of you who are against the buildings at the ends of fields I would reference you to Camp Randall in Wisconsin. They did put seating in front of it, but it still is pretty sweet.

[89Hen]

For those of you who are against the buildings at the ends of fields I would reference you to Camp Randall in Wisconsin. They did put seating in front of it, but it still is pretty sweet.

I'm not opposed to them, I just disagree giving bonus points for them. I just think they say "We know we'll never need to expand to four sides.".

[BlackFalkin]

having stands on all four side is NOT enclosed.

[BlackFalkin]

Delaware
+ 22k capacity
+ no track
+ enclosed
+ hedges
+ tunnel
+ granite piss wall
+ natural grass
+ great video board
+ steep sides

Grade = 9

Heres reality....


+20k capacity
+ no track
- not enclosed
- not dbl decked
+ tunnel
- ok pressbox
- turf looked horrible vs Richmond
+ video board

Grade=4

[weberwildcat]

5 of the top 20 have tracks around them, most FCS stadiums do.

Even FBS's do, big ones like Pac10 schools, U-dub, even the Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl DOES NOT have a track.
UW is taking away their track
I think the only other two are Mizzou & North Texas

The track just takes away from the experience IMO

What about Boise St?

[Thumper 76]

Rose Bowl DOES NOT have a track.
UW is taking away their track
I think the only other two are Mizzou & North Texas

The track just takes away from the experience IMO

What about Boise St?

The awesomeness that is the blue field overtakes any track by tenfold Honestly I think thats one of the coolest fields cause of that. Im normally for the all natural grass and outside and being traditional, but that is cool.

[UAalum72]

I like the point system...

This puts Albany at the following:

-10 for track
-20 for 2 sided stadium (seating)
-10 for no video scoreboard
-5 for no tunnel entrance
-10 if you don't have suites

Total: -55

Just about right.

This point system ignores several features unique to University Field

Roadway between track and stands
Inadequate steepness of home stands, lower rows must look thru the team bench
"Home stands" are the same wooden planks bolted to the gym steps 39 years ago
East-west orientation of playing field
Reminded in the top 25 thread that the light poles are in front of the seats
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 18&iwloc=A

[BlackFalkin]

The awesomeness that is the blue field overtakes any track by tenfold Honestly I think thats one of the coolest fields cause of that. Im normally for the all natural grass and outside and being traditional, but that is cool.

Boise state stadium is...... just bad.

look how far back the fans are... And whats with this.. you can see whats holding up the pressbox