Nominations for the top 10 worst FCS stadiums

[SumItUp]

Please submit your nominations and include photos.

Liberty is playing at Charleston Southern this weekend and it made me what stadiums could be worse.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/wp-content/gallery/charleston-southern-buccaneers-buccaneer-field/buccaneer-field.jpg

[Reign of Terrier]

PC gets the nomination until they get stadium lights

[Squealofthepig]

I'll still throw EWU into the mix. Yes, the crimson field was golden last year, but it still has got to be the least-appealing field to watch on television I'd rather see. Please upgrade from a pseudo-baseball palace.

I'd also throw Georgetown out there - but I think we're all agreed that is the least attractive stadium in an otherwise-attractive campus atmosphere in FCS.

[FargoBison]

Jacksonville...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4851395208_be99a866f3.jpg

http://www.stadiumsusa.com/images/thumbs/b72b05f8c45ea0ba9c0735a73cabbbc76cea756e.jpg-590x1000.png

[Squealofthepig]

Jacksonville...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4851395208_be99a866f3.jpg

That... can't be. Can it? If so... ouch. Let me sing EWU's praises!

[FargoBison]

That... can't be. Can it? If so... ouch. Let me sing EWU's praises!

Oh it is....it makes EWU's field look like the Rose Bowl.

[Squealofthepig]

Oh it is....it makes EWU's field look like the Rose Bowl.

Agree. I will rescind my vote for EWU and get behind FargoBison's much better excoriation of Jacksonville.

[Reign of Terrier]

Gibbs Stadium

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/WoffordGibbsStadium1.jpg/220px-WoffordGibbsStadium1.jpg

knew that was coming.....

[whoanellie]

gotta ad FCS/ MEAC back out artists WSSU. Bowman Gray Stadium complete with 1/4 mile paved NASCAR track. Checkout the
Guardrails. actually hosted Wake Forest games in Brian Piccolo era and Green Bay Packers played preseason games in early 60's. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/leftygolfr326/winston_salem_stadium_2.jpg

[LehighU11]

Georgetown's is up there, considering their resources and how beautiful their campus is:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Multi-Sport_Field.jpg

[Pard4Life]

Ha ha wow!! Jacksonville is ridiculous!

I nominate another Pioneer stadium... Dayton.

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Georgetown's is up there, considering their resources and how beautiful their campus is:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Multi-Sport_Field.jpg

Even if Georgetown doesn't have any desire to support the football team, you'd think they'd want to improve the appearance of that blight upon an otherwise beautiful campus. Some brick stands, even if just to double the height of the current temporary ones, running the length of the field on either side to match the surrounding buildings would make it a great looking place to play.

[UNIFanSince1983]

gotta ad FCS/ MEAC back out artists WSSU. Bowman Gray Stadium complete with 1/4 mile paved NASCAR track. Checkout the
Guardrails. actually hosted Wake Forest games in Brian Piccolo era and Green Bay Packers played preseason games in early 60's. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/leftygolfr326/winston_salem_stadium_2.jpg

Honestly, this looks sweet!

[Dane96]

Jacksonville...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4851395208_be99a866f3.jpg

http://www.stadiumsusa.com/images/thumbs/b72b05f8c45ea0ba9c0735a73cabbbc76cea756e.jpg-590x1000.png

That...is not the full lot. First picture is the revamp with new turf. The other pic is the old field. They are adding 4000 seats at the end of this year. Far from worst field.

Try Albany...first 5 rows have NO SITE lines...the stands are the "steps" of the old gym...and the visiting stands are painted over rusted steel. The grass itself is great though.

Oh...and it goes North-South and not E-W like most stadiums, creating A) a frozen single side; B) horrible wind conditions; and C) Interesting shadows.

[DFW HOYA]

I think this has been discussed enough to come up with a fairly solid list.

1. Jacksonville
2. Georgetown
3. Duquesne
4. Charleston Southern
5. Prairie View
6. Sacred Heart
7. Campbell
8. Presbyterian
9. Savannah St. (pre-renovation)
10. New Hampshire

Honorable mention : Albany, Indiana St., Rhode Island, Fordham, Northeastern (RIP)



Even if Georgetown doesn't have any desire to support the football team, you'd think they'd want to improve the appearance of that blight upon an otherwise beautiful campus. Some brick stands, even if just to double the height of the current temporary ones, running the length of the field on either side to match the surrounding buildings would make it a great looking place to play.

Desire? Yes. Attendance? 100.2% capacity. Money? No. Last official mention of a timeline? September 2009.
http://www.guhoyas.com/genrel/091009aaa.html

One of many strange facts on the MSF: the stands are not set properly. The home side inexplicably ends at the north 40 yard line, presumably when construction stopped.

[Dane96]

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/wp-content/gallery/albany-great-danes-university-field/university-field-albany-10109.jpg

http://www.timesunion.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1115677&width=628&height=471

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/q103albany.com/files/2011/07/2579468708_afb27cf257_z-300x225.jpg

And, forgetting the cheerleader, your view from the 2nd row. Fantastic (sarcasm).

http://www.basketballforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/DSCN0581.JPG

[UNIFanSince1983]

That...is not the full lot. First picture is the revamp with new turf. The other pic is the old field. They are adding 4000 seats at the end of this year. Far from worst field.

Try Albany...first 5 rows have NO SITE lines...the stands are the "steps" of the old gym...and the visiting stands are painted over rusted steel. The grass itself is great though.

Oh...and it goes North-South and not E-W like most stadiums, creating A) a frozen single side; B) horrible wind conditions; and C) Interesting shadows.

I think you got this backwards as most stadiums go North-South, not East-West.

[DFW HOYA]

Wonder why so few Georgetown fans complain about the MSF?

Because it was an upgrade from what it had before.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Wonder why so few Georgetown fans complain about the MSF?

Because it was an upgrade from what it had before.

Georgetown has to be the only team in history to play on a rooftop. Kehoe Field was certainly interesting...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4767521241_f5dde918a8.jpg

[gasoutherneagle]

And, forgetting the cheerleader, your view from the 2nd row. Fantastic (sarcasm).

http://www.basketballforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/DSCN0581.JPG

Two observations here: 1) Nice view of... what is that? A smoke stack in the background? 2) They've got cheerleaders doing they're routine on FREAKIN' CONCRETE! Yeah, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. The only school were there is a bigger risk of injury BEHIND the sidelines! I see a "Old School" manhole cover type incident as well... she jumps down and disappears into the sewer or falls down and breaks leg, hip and three ribs.

[Catatonic]

gotta ad FCS/ MEAC back out artists WSSU. Bowman Gray Stadium complete with 1/4 mile paved NASCAR track. Checkout the
Guardrails. actually hosted Wake Forest games in Brian Piccolo era and Green Bay Packers played preseason games in early 60's. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/leftygolfr326/winston_salem_stadium_2.jpg

NASCAR & Football in one Venue! Perfect.

Should be nominated for the "Quintessentially Southern" award for excellence.

ROTFL

[TexasTerror]

Texas Southern's current facility... before they go from 'worst' to 'first'... they've had to play games at local HS stadiums because of the quality of the stadium and inability of the venue to handle attendance...

http://www.texasbob.com/stadium/simages/1308.jpg

[Doc QB]

Georgetown has to be the only team in history to play on a rooftop. Kehoe Field was certainly interesting...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4767521241_f5dde918a8.jpg

Played there after I transferred to JHU...it had the old Omni turf, which had a sand base underneath the actual astro truf layer. James Madison had it years ago as well. Only problem at G'town was, it was very old, and the sand layer had disintegrated, leaving it with a hollow feel at many points on the carpet and very dangerous. We had a series with them until the jumped up, and lost 2 knees a year on it. It was pretty bad.

And, Brown has a rooftop astroturf soccer/field hockey practice field too, it is really cool.

[WileECoyote06]

gotta ad FCS/ MEAC back out artists WSSU. Bowman Gray Stadium complete with 1/4 mile paved NASCAR track. Checkout the
Guardrails. actually hosted Wake Forest games in Brian Piccolo era and Green Bay Packers played preseason games in early 60's. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/leftygolfr326/winston_salem_stadium_2.jpg

No where near the worst. They have a dedicated field-house and video screens; and seat nearly 20K. If the city would make the much needed upgrades to the stadium (lighting, resurfacing, and other infrastructure needs), it would be even better. Oh and the guardrails are only in the bend.

Now that field for Charleston Southern makes me mad. They have plenty of room to expand, and won't. We have money to expand and no room.

[WileECoyote06]

Texas Southern's current facility... before they go from 'worst' to 'first'... they've had to play games at local HS stadiums because of the quality of the stadium and inability of the venue to handle attendance...

http://www.texasbob.com/stadium/simages/1308.jpg

The catacorner stands are weird.

[superman7515]

Georgetown has to be the only team in history to play on a rooftop. Kehoe Field was certainly interesting...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4767521241_f5dde918a8.jpg

Maybe college but there are a couple of high schools that play football on rooftop stadiums in northern New Jersey and the New York City area. Union City just built a new $172.8 million high school with a 4500 seat stadium and athletic complex on the roof in the past 3-4 years.

http://njmonthly.com/downloads/1510/download/union-highschool-football-roof_600.jpg

http://www.joconl.com/images/archivesid/35533/160.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/09/12/nyregion/12metjnl_600.jpg

[Sycamore51]

Indiana St surely doesn't have the best, but far from the worst. Nearly 13000 seats, new turf, great sight lines, brand new locker rooms, new meeting rooms, new scorebords, new video board, great tailgating setting, and NO TRACK! Far from the bottom 50 I would think

[bluehenbillk]

URI & UNH are by far the worst in the CAA.

[Dane96]

Two observations here: 1) Nice view of... what is that? A smoke stack in the background? 2) They've got cheerleaders doing they're routine on FREAKIN' CONCRETE! Yeah, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. The only school were there is a bigger risk of injury BEHIND the sidelines! I see a "Old School" manhole cover type incident as well... she jumps down and disappears into the sewer or falls down and breaks leg, hip and three ribs.

That's the Bell Tower, otherwise known as "Rockefeller's Last Erection" because of the phallic reference. The building in front is one of our Libraries.

As for the concrete-- we make our ladies tough up here :)

[GaSouthern]

No SoCon stadium will qualify for this list IMO Gibbs is actually a nice stadium, it is just not setup to support teams like GSU coming to town.

[IaaScribe]

Now that field for Charleston Southern makes me mad. They have plenty of room to expand, and won't. We have money to expand and no room.


CSU has no money. It's why they play two paycheck games a year against teams way, way, way over their heads.

[IaaScribe]

And I don't get the hate for Presbyterian's field. It's not great, but nowhere near the bottom 10 that I've ever been to.

[Bogus Megapardus]

Given its special need and dire lack of resources, perhaps Georgetown might contact "Habitat for Humanity" to see if MSF qualifies. They'd get it built in a weekend.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

I think this has been discussed enough to come up with a fairly solid list.

1. Jacksonville
2. Georgetown
3. Duquesne
4. Charleston Southern
5. Prairie View
6. Sacred Heart
7. Campbell
8. Presbyterian
9. Savannah St. (pre-renovation)
10. New Hampshire

Honorable mention : Albany, Indiana St., Rhode Island, Fordham, Northeastern (RIP)



When Albany played at UNH a couple of seasons ago, an Albany person I know told me that "Cowell Stadium looks fantastic compared to our field". When I attended a basketball game at UA, I saw Albany's "stadium" and understood why that person made his comment! Albany belongs in this "top ten" before UNH.

I know St. Francis is new, has Field Turf and lights, but it's tiny and has a track around the field! See the attached pictures.

Cowell is hardly a gem, but I don't think it belongs in this "top ten" listing.

[GannonFan]

URI & UNH are by far the worst in the CAA.

Almost have to throw nova into the mix there as well. Nothing attractive about that place.

[kdinva]

CSU has no money. It's why they play two paycheck games a year against teams way, way, way over their heads.

And CSU made an announcement recently I just found via "google", a nice multi-sport field house w/multiple locker rooms, weight room. It didn't mention a FB visiting team dressing room (they dress, I believe, in the gym 300 yards away). No mention (yet) of new FB seating, lights, etc., nor a mention yet of replacing their basketball "facility" (880 seats, impossible to put TV cameras anywhere), but all that hopefully will happen in the next 20-30 months.

http://www.csusports.com/article.asp?articleID=5662

(I hope VMI soon starts soliciting donations for lights there. Labor Day weekend in Lex. can be very warm).

[Pard4Life]

I dont know why Sacred Heart is on the list... I've been there and it was not awful, though not great either. It was your average HS field but it at least was decent looking.

[Reign of Terrier]

No SoCon stadium will qualify for this list IMO Gibbs is actually a nice stadium, it is just not setup to support teams like GSU coming to town.

yeah, people give us hell for not having good attendance numbers (that's another issue all together), but when you average 8k per game and only have 8.5k seats, it's pretty appropriate

[WestCoastAggie]

Honestly, this looks sweet!

They plan on spending $9 million in upgrades VERY soon once the city finally sells the place to the school.

[danefan]

I think Jacksonville as it stands today is by far the worst in FCS.

Albany is a close second, but its hard to understand why until you've watched a football game from wooden bleachers bolted to the steps of a building 50 years ago which are separated from the sideline by not only a track (yuck) but also a freakin' road!

Yes. Hard to beat that and exactly why we'll be watching games from this in 2012 or 2013 (prob 13 now).

http://www.albany.edu/facilities/fp/images/slideshow/athleticfieldsrepair02-lg.png

[Bogus Megapardus]

Almost have to throw nova into the mix there as well. Nothing attractive about that place.

Really? One of the 10 worst in FCS? I'd have to disagree.


http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/villanova-stadium-duncan-pearson.jpg

[Bogus Megapardus]

UAlbany Stadium - typical gameday conditions.


http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3791/albanysnow.png

[OLDMAIN80]

Gibbs Stadium

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/WoffordGibbsStadium1.jpg/220px-WoffordGibbsStadium1.jpg

That pick looks like it was taken from my parking spot in the Verandah Lot. Nice view of the visitors side.

[URMite]

yeah, people give us hell for not having good attendance numbers (that's another issue all together), but when you average 8k per game and only have 8.5k seats, it's pretty appropriate

xnodx xthumbsupx

[GannonFan]

Really? One of the 10 worst in FCS? I'd have to disagree.


http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/villanova-stadium-duncan-pearson.jpg

Probably have better concession and bathroom facilities in the plane that took that picture than they do on the ground. Sightlines are probably better too.

[bluehenbillk]

Probably have better concession and bathroom facilities in the plane that took that picture than they do on the ground. Sightlines are probably better too.

The sightlines aren't THAT bad. Probably almost middle of the pack for the CAA, but agree 100% on bathrooms & concessions - get your fill before you go in - otherwise expect to wait a quarter of football to eat/drink something.

[superman7515]

I didn't have any problem with concessions at the Villanova vs Richmond game last year. There wasn't anyone there. Walked up that day and got tickets, home side, between the 50 & north 45 halfway up.

[TheRevSFA]

Sorry...but UCA wins...that turf took any beauty out of Estes Stadium

http://www.ucasports.com/images/2011/8/3/Field_Wide-web.jpg

[superman7515]

Looks like concrete.

[alvinkayak6]

seriously, this HAS to be damaging to the eyes!

Is it true that 1/2 of the cost of the field turf was paid for by the local Opthamologists?

They are preparing for the away game in 2018 vs. The University of Mars Robot Aliens.

[TheRevSFA]

I mean..UCA hasn't lost on that stadium, and SFA got creamed there..but man I can see why...if I had to play on that stadium I'd go blind.

Great home field advantage for the Bears.

[dgtw]

I've never seen it in person, but the field at Georgetown actually looks rather nice. It appears to be in pretty good condition.

A NASCAR track at an HBCU stadium?

[alvinkayak6]

The Georgetown stadium looks nice. It just needs to clear the one end with all the rubble back there. It looks gross, like there might be used condoms and dogbones (Hoyas) in it. Get rid of the ugly fencing too. Put up a nice grassy hill with a scoreboard, and it's a B- grade FCS field.

[HailSzczur]

Almost have to throw nova into the mix there as well. Nothing attractive about that place.

Surprised it took 36 comments until our name was tossed around.

[HailSzczur]

Really? One of the 10 worst in FCS? I'd have to disagree.
http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/villanova-stadium-duncan-pearson.jpg

It looks nice from above, but when you actually get to the seats its not the greatest. There's nothing really "wrong" with anything at the stadium, but there's plenty of room for improvement. I've heard complaints about the sight lines due to elevation from row to row, but that has never been a problem for me any time except parents weekend, because its never too crowded. The corners do tend to get lost as you move away from the 50 but that can be said for most stadiums. As far as amenities are concerned that's a big area of concern. The bathrooms are rather old and probably have not changed much since the stadium opened back in the 20s. The locker rooms, bathrooms, and offices are cramped and tend to get awkward due to the slanted ceiling that can be very low at places. As far as concessions go there is the main stand below the bottom endzone and a tiny little truck at the top left corner.

It certainly isn't luxurious or on the level of schools like JMU, Delaware, W & M and other CAA schools, but I wouldn't put it in the bottom 10, maybe bottom 25.

[GannonFan]

It looks nice from above, but when you actually get to the seats its not the greatest. There's nothing really "wrong" with anything at the stadium, but there's plenty of room for improvement. I've heard complaints about the sight lines due to elevation from row to row, but that has never been a problem for me any time except parents weekend, because its never too crowded. The corners do tend to get lost as you move away from the 50 but that can be said for most stadiums. As far as amenities are concerned that's a big area of concern. The bathrooms are rather old and probably have not changed much since the stadium opened back in the 20s. The locker rooms, bathrooms, and offices are cramped and tend to get awkward due to the slanted ceiling that can be very low at places. As far as concessions go there is the main stand below the bottom endzone and a tiny little truck at the top left corner.

It certainly isn't luxurious or on the level of schools like JMU, Delaware, W & M and other CAA schools, but I wouldn't put it in the bottom 10, maybe bottom 25.

I agree with that - bottom 10 is harsh, but bottom 20 or 25 is very possible, for the reasons we both cite. Heck, I'm thrilled this year's game is at PPL - granted, it's a further drive for me, but I'll gladly drive further to sit in a stadium that I can reasonably leave my seat, go the bathroom, and get a bite to eat, and do it in less than the 30-45 minutes it takes doing the same thing in nova's stadium, with the waits involved there. Plus there's a lot of room for sitting - people were much smaller in the 1920's, apparently, than they are now, and apparently never wore coats.

[WileECoyote06]

I've never seen it in person, but the field at Georgetown actually looks rather nice. It appears to be in pretty good condition.

A NASCAR track at an HBCU stadium?

The track is owned by the city of Winston-Salem and has long been used for 'Bowman-Gray Racing', the longest running weekly Nascar event.

http://www.bowmangrayracing.com/

[bluehenbillk]

I didn't have any problem with concessions at the Villanova vs Richmond game last year. There wasn't anyone there. Walked up that day and got tickets, home side, between the 50 & north 45 halfway up.

Point taken - I only ever go when they play UD so I haven't been at games with the typical 5,000 or so crowd.

[UNI Pike]

Cal Poly's field pre-renovation was about as basic as you could get. After, with that Spanos money its pretty sweet.

[Brad82]

Rhody's west-side is pretty bad and say 3/4th's of it overall.
I heard Sacred Heart had a nice one?
What is wrong with it?

[Uncle Rico's Clan]

Has anyone viewed both a uca and ewu game on TV? I'm just curious which is worse. I watched Montana play ewu live last year, and I must admit when you watch the game in person you don't really notice the red turf after a while. But when I watched ewu play msu this year on TV it was terrible, the red gets annoying really quickly. I'm just wondering if anyone who has seen both uca's and ewu's field on TV thinks one is worse than the other.

[EdubAlum]

Has anyone viewed both a uca and ewu game on TV? I'm just curious which is worse. I watched Montana play ewu live last year, and I must admit when you watch the game in person you don't really notice the red turf after a while. But when I watched ewu play msu this year on TV it was terrible, the red gets annoying really quickly. I'm just wondering if anyone who has seen both uca's and ewu's field on TV thinks one is worse than the other.

agreed, it's fairly difficult to watch on standard def, has a sheen to it almost. in person and HD it's not bad.

[eaglewraith]

agreed, it's fairly difficult to watch on standard def, has a sheen to it almost. in person and HD it's not bad.

In HD it's eye searing red. It's pretty bad.

[danefan]

Rhody's west-side is pretty bad and say 3/4th's of it overall.
I heard Sacred Heart had a nice one?
What is wrong with it?

It's small. Smaller than most high schools.

[HailSzczur]

Was looking around to find a few different views of the MSF at Georgetown and found this site with a progression of plans for the field. Anyone of those designs woul have immediately taken them off the Bottom 10 lists in my book.

http://www.hoyafootball.com/history/proposed_stadia.htm

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Was looking around to find a few different views of the MSF at Georgetown and found this site with a progression of plans for the field. Anyone of those designs woul have immediately taken them off the Bottom 10 lists in my book.

http://www.hoyafootball.com/history/proposed_stadia.htm

The 2004 plan is actually pretty great looking. It's small, but it looks like it would integrate very well with the surrounding campus.

[TheRevSFA]

I watched UCA-McNeese on TV and just couldn't do it..the purple was too much

[crossfire07]

I watched UCA-McNeese on TV and just couldn't do it..the purple was too much

It is pretty bad. I have seen it for the first and last time.

[Mr. C]

Gibbs Stadium

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/WoffordGibbsStadium1.jpg/220px-WoffordGibbsStadium1.jpg

Nothing at all wrong with Gibbs Stadium. Once again, you show you are clueless. If it is so bad, why do the Carolina Panthers hold training camp there?

[Mr. C]

Cal Poly's field pre-renovation was about as basic as you could get. After, with that Spanos money its pretty sweet.

I remember covering a game there in 1979. Boy that press box was a rough place to work. The new Spanos Stadium is quite nice.

[Mr. C]

Cowell Stadium at UNH remains close to the bottom for me. My computer literally froze in the press box there for a 1994 playoff game. At least they have enclosed the press box in recent years. Th rest of the facility is pretty awful. The last time I was there for a Villanova game a couple of years back, the plumbing in the field house failed and no got showers after the game. You couldn't even get a drink of water.

Parsons Field at Northeastern may have been even worse. It was right in the middle of a neighborhood. Coaches use to complain that smoke from the concession stands flowed into the visiting locker room (if you could call it that). There were also problems with rest rooms, or lack there of, for the teams in the locker rooms. If you are ever in the neighborhood, Parsons Field is still around, as is Nickerson Field (i.e. Braves Field, where the Boston Braves played), where Boston University played.

If anyone wants to post pictures of these fine facilities, please do.

[Mr. C]

Please submit your nominations and include photos.

Liberty is playing at Charleston Southern this weekend and it made me what stadiums could be worse.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/wp-content/gallery/charleston-southern-buccaneers-buccaneer-field/buccaneer-field.jpg

Be it ever so humble ...

[Mr. C]

Almost have to throw nova into the mix there as well. Nothing attractive about that place.

Spoken like a true blue Delaware fan. I'd take Villanova's press box (which is great to work in) any day over that outhouse attached to Delaware Stadium/Tubby Raymond Field.

[superman7515]

And we all know how the press box is the #1 determining factor in how good a stadium is for fans...

[MR. CHICKEN]

Spoken like a true blue Delaware fan. I'd take Villanova's press box (which is great to work in) any day over that outhouse attached to Delaware Stadium/Tubby Raymond Field.

HEY HEY....THINK....DUH BLACKSMITH SHOP...O'......BOOTERY...O'....STOCKADE....IN WILLIAMSBURG.....QUAINT......BETTER DESCRIBES......DAT OUTHOUSE.....AWK!

[93henfan]

Spoken like a true blue Delaware fan. I'd take Villanova's press box (which is great to work in) any day over that outhouse attached to Delaware Stadium/Tubby Raymond Field.

xlolx Beat me to it. I was going to say that as pathetic as Chuck South's stadium is, it has a better pressbox than The Tub.

But for those of us sitting in the stands, The Tub is a terrific venue. To give some comparison to the poor bastards at Albany, here is my view from row 4 in The Tub last Saturday. Thank God we don't have a pathetic track around our field like Appy State. You're right on top of the action in Newark:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee234/93bluehen/photobucket-6645-1318711827791.jpg

[Mr. C]

xlolx Beat me to it. I was going to say that as pathetic as Chuck South's stadium is, it has a better pressbox than The Tub.

But for those of us sitting in the stands, The Tub is a terrific venue. To give some comparison to the poor bastards at Albany, here is my view from row 4 in The Tub:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee234/93bluehen/photobucket-6645-1318711827791.jpg

All 125 other schools in FCS have better press boxes than the Tub, although Cowell Stadium is a close second and Cal Poly was worse in the day. JMU was pretty cramped, but they have taken care of that problem this season.

[Mr. C]

xlolx Beat me to it. I was going to say that as pathetic as Chuck South's stadium is, it has a better pressbox than The Tub.

But for those of us sitting in the stands, The Tub is a terrific venue. To give some comparison to the poor bastards at Albany, here is my view from row 4 in The Tub last Saturday. Thank God we don't have a pathetic track around our field like Appy State. You're right on top of the action in Newark:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee234/93bluehen/photobucket-6645-1318711827791.jpg

I love the view from the student section in the one end zone and also like sneaking down underneath the student section to watch from the field. Unfortunately, when I finally need knee replacement surgery, those steps at the Tub will probably be one of the major reasons why.

[Tribe4SF]

HEY HEY....THINK....DUH BLACKSMITH SHOP...O'......BOOTERY...O'....STOCKADE....IN WILLIAMSBURG.....QUAINT......BETTER DESCRIBES......DAT OUTHOUSE.....AWK!

Back off, Featherbrain! You're just sour because you've had so many heartbreaks at Zable!:D

[93henfan]

I love the view from the student section in the one end zone and also like sneaking down underneath the student section to watch from the field. Unfortunately, when I finally need knee replacement surgery, those steps at the Tub will probably be one of the major reasons why.

No doubt Dave. We used to be Section C, Row JJ (ie. 36), but were able to move down to Row D. My dad's knees are shot and JJ was absolute torture. It also takes about 15 minutes for the stands to clear after a tight game. Much faster getting out at lower elevation!

[Mr. C]

HEY HEY....THINK....DUH BLACKSMITH SHOP...O'......BOOTERY...O'....STOCKADE....IN WILLIAMSBURG.....QUAINT......BETTER DESCRIBES......DAT OUTHOUSE.....AWK!

They don't even have an outhouse in the William & Mary press box, but at least it is a nicer place to watch a game than the claustrophobic UD press box. Now if i could watch the game from Mr. Chicken's seats, that would be awesome.

[MR. CHICKEN]

SECTION J.....BRING YER OWN TRUMPET...AWK!

[FargoBison]

All 125 other schools in FCS have better press boxes than the Tub, although Cowell Stadium is a close second and Cal Poly was worse in the day. JMU was pretty cramped, but they have taken care of that problem this season.

SDSU might be worse or at least would give it a run for its money.

[Mr. C]

No doubt Dave. We used to be Section C, Row JJ (ie. 36), but were able to move down to Row D. My dad's knees are shot and JJ was absolute torture. It also takes about 15 minutes for the stands to clear after a tight game. Much faster getting out at lower elevation!

There is a great elder statesman sportswriter named Stan Isaacs that I count as a friend. He is well up in his 70s and we covered the UD-Villanova overtime game last season together. I had to help him down from the press box after the game to make sure my friend was going to be safe, getting to the post-game area in the field house. Those steps are scary.

[MR. CHICKEN]

Back off, Featherbrain! You're just sour because you've had so many heartbreaks at Zable!:D

AN' YA'LL @ DUH COOP.......TWO FEATHERS...FUMBLIN'!

[Mr. C]

SECTION J.....BRING YER OWN TRUMPET...AWK!

What if I bring my vuvuzela? My keyboard stack would be a little hard to get up there.

[Mr. C]

SDSU might be worse or at least would give it a run for its money.

It is hard to imagine any press box being worse than the Tub, though I haven't had the pleasure of covering a game at South Dakota State yet. I here they have a primo scoreboard, with Daktronics in the neighborhood.

[MR. CHICKEN]

VUVUZELA....IS DAT LIKE....TRIANGLE....O'..KAZOO FAMILY......xconfusedx

[93henfan]

There is a great elder statesman sportswriter named Stan Isaacs that I count as a friend. He is well up in his 70s and we covered the UD-Villanova overtime game last season together. I had to help him down from the press box after the game to make sure my friend was going to be safe, getting to the post-game area in the field house. Those steps are scary.

Here was the view from our old seats in Row JJ. I miss the view, but I'm glad my dad doesn't have to climb Mt Everest every time. You can also see how narrow the aisles were before they installed handrails and why it took so f'ing long to get out:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee234/93bluehen/IMG_2446.jpg

[Mr. C]

VUVUZELA....IS DAT LIKE....TRIANGLE....O'..KAZOO FAMILY......xconfusedx
The national instrument of South Africa.

[MR. CHICKEN]

UH...ER..UM....AWK!


16202

[FargoBison]

It is hard to imagine any press box being worse than the Tub, though I haven't had the pleasure of covering a game at South Dakota State yet. I here they have a primo scoreboard, with Daktronics in the neighborhood.

It is bad but yeah the scoreboard is fantastic and I've heard their new field house is nice. But the stadium is in desperate need of renovation or demolition. Outside of Illinois State(which actually had part of their stadium condemned), SDSU probably has the worst stadium in the valley.

[GannonFan]

Spoken like a true blue Delaware fan. I'd take Villanova's press box (which is great to work in) any day over that outhouse attached to Delaware Stadium/Tubby Raymond Field.

Not being a media member, I rank quality of the pressbox as perhaps one of the lowest factors when considering the quality of a stadium. I put it just above the quality of the area where they keep the trash after it's been collected from all the various cans around the stadium. I mean, it's a factor, to be sure, but for the typical fan, it really doesn't matter.

[danefan]

Not being a media member, I rank quality of the pressbox as perhaps one of the lowest factors when considering the quality of a stadium. I put it just above the quality of the area where they keep the trash after it's been collected from all the various cans around the stadium. I mean, it's a factor, to be sure, but for the typical fan, it really doesn't matter.

Yeah pretty much 7 people at each game care about the press box.

[Mr. C]

It is bad but yeah the scoreboard is fantastic and I've heard their new field house is nice. But the stadium is in desperate need of renovation or demolition. Outside of Illinois State(which actually had part of their stadium condemned), SDSU probably has the worst stadium in the valley.
I've been to Illinois State. The thing I remember there was the cramped, spiraling staircase that took you up to the press box. Trust me, the UD press box is worse and Cowell Stadium is far worse than ISU.

[Mr. C]

Not being a media member, I rank quality of the pressbox as perhaps one of the lowest factors when considering the quality of a stadium. I put it just above the quality of the area where they keep the trash after it's been collected from all the various cans around the stadium. I mean, it's a factor, to be sure, but for the typical fan, it really doesn't matter.

Stay classy.

[Mr. C]

Yeah pretty much 7 people at each game care about the press box.

Maybe at Albany games.

[cmaxwellgsu]

gotta ad FCS/ MEAC back out artists WSSU. Bowman Gray Stadium complete with 1/4 mile paved NASCAR track. Checkout the
Guardrails. actually hosted Wake Forest games in Brian Piccolo era and Green Bay Packers played preseason games in early 60's. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/leftygolfr326/winston_salem_stadium_2.jpg

Count me in as one who loves it. Are there ever any comined game day/race days? Would be a hell of a good time!

[danefan]

Maybe at Albany games.

Probably 95% of FCS games in the country.

[UAalum72]

Then put it this way - at App State about 28,000 people DON'T care about the press box.

[FargoBison]

Probably 95% of FCS games in the country.

Maybe the smaller conferences....At NDSU there are probably seven people working on keeping stats. I do agree in the grand scheme of things the pressbox probably isn't a huge deal as long as it isn't an embarrassment and is big enough to make everyone comfortable enough to do their job adequately.

[danefan]

Maybe the smaller conferences....At NDSU there are probably seven people working on keeping stats. I do agree in the grand scheme of things the pressbox probably isn't a huge deal.
I'm talking outside press.

Not coaches and school stat keepers.

(btw - for those who don't get sarcasm - 7 was an exaggeration).

[UAalum72]

Nickerson Field - formerly Braves Field
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDMxkoa736ejd0tFaP4j2vJXkNJje-dsRBBZl_fDFWXExp4cUx
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_Eg8nv_QEW3n1cU1uXP6juX_GITN2E Es7qq3N58-sMFRlMv64BQ

Parsons Field
http://amfootball.isport.com/Image.ashx?rs=440x330&dir=images\Picture&File=Img_658511_242888.jpg

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Spoken like a true blue Delaware fan. I'd take Villanova's press box (which is great to work in) any day over that outhouse attached to Delaware Stadium/Tubby Raymond Field.

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall UD upgrading the press box a few years back. Wasn't heating, AC, or something like that added?

[JSUBison]

Here's SDSU's facility, since it was brought up. Hopefully the plans for the new stadium isn't scaled back or changed much, since it looks really nice. For bunny fans here, why does SDSU allow the high school to play at CAS when turf health and condition is such an issue there?

http://www.stadiumsusa.com/images/thumbs/d9c5b83507a3bc566574aa7df8aee3c24231ab75.jpg-590x1000.png

[SCPALADIN]

All 125 other schools in FCS have better press boxes than the Tub, although Cowell Stadium is a close second and Cal Poly was worse in the day. JMU was pretty cramped, but they have taken care of that problem this season.

Unless Delaware has been warned by the fire marshall of an impending closure...Furman has you beat in the press box department.

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Here's SDSU's facility, since it was brought up. Hopefully the plans for the new stadium isn't scaled back or changed much, since it looks really nice. For bunny fans here, why does SDSU allow the high school to play at CAS when turf health and condition is such an issue there?

http://www.stadiumsusa.com/images/thumbs/d9c5b83507a3bc566574aa7df8aee3c24231ab75.jpg-590x1000.png

For some reason I thought SDSU played in a dome. I must have confused y'all with all of the other Dakota teams.

[Ginsbach]

For some reason I thought SDSU played in a dome. I must have confused y'all with all of the other Dakota teams.

NDSU (Fargodome), UND (Alerus Center), and USD (DakotaDome) all play in domes. SDSU plays at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, which is outdoors.

[owascoag]

Sorry...but UCA wins...that turf took any beauty out of Estes Stadium

http://www.ucasports.com/images/2011/8/3/Field_Wide-web.jpg

Central Arkansas......wow, that field is hideous

[MR. CHICKEN]

DAT FIELD...LOOKS...LIKE...UH....HOLY CROSS....RUGBY SHIRT!

[BlueHenSinfonian]

NDSU (Fargodome), UND (Alerus Center), and USD (DakotaDome) all play in domes. SDSU plays at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, which is outdoors.

I like outdoor stadiums, although I imagine it gets pretty chilly up there towards the end of the season. Of course, if the Jackrabbits are used to it, that could be a great home field advantage for playoff years if they end up hosting southern teams.

I love the natural grass too. I realize that field turf is likely the more environmentally and economically friendly choice, but I like the traditional look, smell, and feel of a real grass field.

[Mr. C]

Unless Delaware has been warned by the fire marshall of an impending closure...Furman has you beat in the press box department.

Not even close. Furman's press box is better in every aspect than the one at the Tub.

[Mr. C]

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall UD upgrading the press box a few years back. Wasn't heating, AC, or something like that added?

Sorry, if I haven't noticed any upgrades.

[Mr. C]

Nickerson Field - formerly Braves Field
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDMxkoa736ejd0tFaP4j2vJXkNJje-dsRBBZl_fDFWXExp4cUx
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_Eg8nv_QEW3n1cU1uXP6juX_GITN2E Es7qq3N58-sMFRlMv64BQ

Parsons Field
http://amfootball.isport.com/Image.ashx?rs=440x330&dir=images\Picture&File=Img_658511_242888.jpg

Thanks. Nickerson is a cool place to check out. The Parsons photo shows why it was one of the worst. That is a MAJOR reason that Northeastern decided to drop football. It would be one of the worst HIGH SCHOOL stadiums I have ever seen.

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Sorry, if I haven't noticed any upgrades.

I never sat in the pressbox, so I could be wrong, I just seem to remember hearing something about it a while back.

[Dane96]

Thanks. Nickerson is a cool place to check out. The Parsons photo shows why it was one of the worst. That is a MAJOR reason that Northeastern decided to drop football. It would be one of the worst HIGH SCHOOL stadiums I have ever seen.

You clearly haven't been to many high school stadiums in the Northeast. Parsons...is a very nice high school stadium for NE standards.

[bluehenbillk]

Spoken like a true blue Delaware fan. I'd take Villanova's press box (which is great to work in) any day over that outhouse attached to Delaware Stadium/Tubby Raymond Field.

Well as fans will never sit in the press box, not one of our top priorities. Plus, we've all read your ramblings, what merits a hack like you sitting or "working" in a press box anyway? Do they have a feed of the App game up there for ya?

[RabidRabbit]

Here's SDSU's facility, since it was brought up. Hopefully the plans for the new stadium isn't scaled back or changed much, since it looks really nice. For bunny fans here, why does SDSU allow the high school to play at CAS when turf health and condition is such an issue there?

http://www.stadiumsusa.com/images/thumbs/d9c5b83507a3bc566574aa7df8aee3c24231ab75.jpg-590x1000.png

Brookings School District paid to install the lights, so CAS could host night games. Therefore, Bobcats play at CAS also. It's worked well for SDSU and Brookings.

[DSUrocks07]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aXwvjOCyM24/SetGfRPF3AI/AAAAAAAAMNI/2P7OajfaOR4/s400/DSU+Stadium.jpg

http://archives.desu.edu/userfiles/image/DSC_0127%20cross%20600.jpg

DSU's "high school" stadium

[bluehenbillk]

well DSU does host the Delaware HS championship games...

[henfan]

Alumni Stadium in Dover is a palace compared to some of the rat holes in this sub-division.

[alvinkayak6]

There are 10,000 high school fields superior to Charleston Southern.

[TheRevSFA]

There are 10,000 high school fields superior to Charleston Southern.

Allen High School in Allen, TX...this is their new stadium being built..

http://thepigskindoctors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/allenhighschool.jpg

[eaglesrback]

NASCAR & Football in one Venue! Perfect.

Should be nominated for the "Quintessentially Southern" award for excellence.

ROTFL

They should do football and racing at the same time, could have an "Ancient Rome" feel to it!!

[ccd494]

You clearly haven't been to many high school stadiums in the Northeast. Parsons...is a very nice high school stadium for NE standards.

No kidding. My high school, and all but one of the high schools in its conference in Maine, literally sat ZERO. No permanent stands, no temporary stands, bring a lawn chair if you want to sit down. Parsons would have been in the top five in Maine, hands down, no doubt about it.

[Bearkat-Backer]

Allen High School in Allen, TX...this is their new stadium being built..

http://thepigskindoctors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/allenhighschool.jpg

Is that a District Stadium or just for AHS? If it is just for AHS that is nuts.

[TheRevSFA]

Is that a District Stadium or just for AHS? If it is just for AHS that is nuts.

Just for AHS

[HailSzczur]

Just for AHS

How big is the High School, do you know? that seems just a tad excessive to me, but thats coming from a high school with a student body of 1200 and seating for 1000 at our field.

[alvinkayak6]

The amount of money they are spending on that thing is extraordinary. That fieldhouse looks pretty nice too

[Bearkat-Backer]

Just for AHS

Here is an article about the stadium. The school has about 5k students and the stadium will hold 18k. Their current stadium holds 14k.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/sports/30allen.html?pagewanted=all

[superman7515]

You've got to look at the attendance they get at some of these games though. Allen has had over 10k a game, every game, for over a decade.

49,953 Plano vs. Port Neches-Groves
46,339 Southlake Carroll vs. Euless Trinity
45,790 Highland Park vs. Waco
45,000 Houston Washington vs. Galveston
45,000 Dallas Adams vs. Richardson
39,102 Garland vs. Katy
39,102 Stephenville vs. Port Neches-Groves
38,570 Port Neches-Groves vs. Houston Kashmere
38,374 Plano vs. Highland Park
38,000 Odessa vs. San Antonio Jefferson
36,000 Fort Bend Willowridge vs. Houston Yates

[chattownmocs]

How big is the High School, do you know? that seems just a tad excessive to me, but thats coming from a high school with a student body of 1200 and seating for 1000 at our field.

1000? Really? I know High school football isnt a huge deal there but what does a 1000 seat stadium look like?

[TheRevSFA]

You've got to look at the attendance they get at some of these games though. Allen has had over 10k a game, every game, for over a decade.

49,953 Plano vs. Port Neches-Groves
46,339 Southlake Carroll vs. Euless Trinity
45,790 Highland Park vs. Waco
45,000 Houston Washington vs. Galveston
45,000 Dallas Adams vs. Richardson
39,102 Garland vs. Katy
39,102 Stephenville vs. Port Neches-Groves
38,570 Port Neches-Groves vs. Houston Kashmere
38,374 Plano vs. Highland Park
38,000 Odessa vs. San Antonio Jefferson
36,000 Fort Bend Willowridge vs. Houston Yates

Most of these were playoff games done at neutral sites..but high school football is the thing here.

In Galveston they were going to build a 35 million dollar stadium, but it was turned down due to issue with the location as well as parking.

[HailSzczur]

1000? Really? I know High school football isnt a huge deal there but what does a 1000 seat stadium look like?

not really a stadium, just bleachers with a press box
http://www.shanahanfootball.com/images/facilities_bleachersfield.jpg

I can't imagine what 45,000 at a high school game is like as we are lucky to draw 700

[McNeese75]

not really a stadium, just bleachers with a press box
http://www.shanahanfootball.com/images/facilities_bleachersfield.jpg

I can't imagine what 45,000 at a high school game is like as we are lucky to draw 700

You can check youtube for Texas HS football and there are some videos there showing 40k plus crowds.

[Uncle Rico's Clan]

You've got to look at the attendance they get at some of these games though. Allen has had over 10k a game, every game, for over a decade.

49,953 Plano vs. Port Neches-Groves
46,339 Southlake Carroll vs. Euless Trinity
45,790 Highland Park vs. Waco
45,000 Houston Washington vs. Galveston
45,000 Dallas Adams vs. Richardson
39,102 Garland vs. Katy
39,102 Stephenville vs. Port Neches-Groves
38,570 Port Neches-Groves vs. Houston Kashmere
38,374 Plano vs. Highland Park
38,000 Odessa vs. San Antonio Jefferson
36,000 Fort Bend Willowridge vs. Houston Yates

Wow. According to the 2010 census, Bozeman is the thrid largest city in Montana with just over 39,000 people. For me it was weird to sit in Neyland and think that it holds more people than the entire city of Missoula. It's even crazier to think that a high school game would have more people in attendance than the city of Bozeman.

http://ceic.mt.gov/MtByNumb.asp

[Hammerhead]

Grass is hard to maintain late into the season in the northern plains. The average date of the first hard freeze (28° or less) in Fargo is October 9th.



I like outdoor stadiums, although I imagine it gets pretty chilly up there towards the end of the season. Of course, if the Jackrabbits are used to it, that could be a great home field advantage for playoff years if they end up hosting southern teams.

I love the natural grass too. I realize that field turf is likely the more environmentally and economically friendly choice, but I like the traditional look, smell, and feel of a real grass field.

[jacksfan29]

It is bad but yeah the scoreboard is fantastic and I've heard their new field house is nice. But the stadium is in desperate need of renovation or demolition. Outside of Illinois State(which actually had part of their stadium condemned), SDSU probably has the worst stadium in the valley.

CAS will be replaced, however my personal opinion is that the worst stadiums in the MVFC are NDSU and UNI and USD beginning next year. Domes sxck, FB is not meant to be played indoors.

[Twentysix]

CAS will be replaced, however my personal opinion is that the worst stadiums in the MVFC are NDSU and UNI and USD beginning next year. Domes sxck, FB is not meant to be played indoors.

Thomas o brien felt the same way after 4 picks.

Wind would of helped those not be int's.

[danefan]

UAlbany Stadium - typical gameday conditions.


http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3791/albanysnow.png

I couldn't see this at work (imageshack blocked), but i have actually played a game on that field in similar conditions. Add 40mph East-West winds and what you get is a complete Duquesne butt whooping.

There were also just as many fans there. :)

[Gringer1]

Is Albany's new stadium a guarantee this time and is there a start date?

[danefan]

Is Albany's new stadium a guarantee this time and is there a start date?

Literally on the Governors desk for final approval and baring any unforeseen circumstances, construction to start soon. it was approved by the prior administration, but the fundraising ran over and they now need the new Governor to approve.

$24 mil in the bank for stadium, new track and student use rec turf field. 25% from private donations. The rest is critical maintenance funding provide in lump sum by the State and allocated as each campus deems appropriate. Our field and track are a safety hazard so the repairs are more than critical.

Stadium to seat 6,500 in Phase I with all infrastructure, including foundation work, in place to expand in phases to 24,000 when necessary.

Target opening date is homecoming 2012. I think it will prob be 2013, but if it's a mild winter it may even be home opener 2012.

http://www.albany.edu/facilities/fp/athleticfields.html

Btw - its taboo to call it a stadium in Albany. We refer to it as a "multi-use facility". ;)

[ngineer]

That's the Bell Tower, otherwise known as "Rockefeller's Last Erection" because of the phallic reference. The building in front is one of our Libraries.

As for the concrete-- we make our ladies tough up here :)

Hah! Brings to memory ol' Rocky's demise when he "died in the saddle" with his paramour!xthumbsupx:D

[ngineer]

So when does the voting begin...Sorry Hoyas, hard to believe it, but you are not the worst!

[heath]

Been to Buies Creek and even though Campbell is a new program-got to be a top 5!

[Ivytalk]

Brown has to be up there somewhere. Antiseptic hellhole.

[whoanellie]

in high school We played a couple of games on it
during the game I almost landed on a sparkplug leftover from the Demolition derby the previous Saturday Night's Feature event!

Honestly, this looks sweet!

[UNIFanSince1983]

CAS will be replaced, however my personal opinion is that the worst stadiums in the MVFC are NDSU and UNI and USD beginning next year. Domes sxck, FB is not meant to be played indoors.

You must not be a fan of seeing who the better football team is then huh?

[txst80]

Prairie View's Blackshear Field:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3268099067_17d1df4aa2.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3268923896_06383d64d3.jpg?v=0

The restrooms:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3268923848_83385af1b8.jpg?v=0

Closeup of visitors side:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3268098941_357470040b.jpg?v=0

[UAalum72]

BS. I don't subscribe to the theory that playing indoors is any more even than outdoors. You have to play both ends of the field, and if conditions aren't perfect, neither is life.

[Mr. C]

Probably 95% of FCS games in the country.

Having been to a sizable chunk of the press boxes in FCS, you would be wrong by a long shot.

[Mr. C]

Count me in as one who loves it. Are there ever any comined game day/race days? Would be a hell of a good time!

I haven't been to Bowman-Gray for a football game, but I've heard it has a great atmosphere. The press box is fine. It also looked good on TV.

[Mr. C]

Well as fans will never sit in the press box, not one of our top priorities. Plus, we've all read your ramblings, what merits a hack like you sitting or "working" in a press box anyway? Do they have a feed of the App game up there for ya?

Not much else is a priority at the Tub either. Until a couple of years ago, the scoreboard barely worked and had to be turned on by hand (I actually went with Scott Selheimer to see that once before a Northeastern game). Guys like Selheimer, who have worked their butts off for years there, deserve better than that. For years, Delaware made money hand over fist and pocketed it, rather than make improvements to facilities. Slowly, but surely, that is now changing. And yes, they finally got decently Internet connections at the Tub, so you can actually stream other games while you work there. You shouldn't take any shots at Appalachian State, which along with schools like Lafayette and Princeton have state of the art facilities. Delaware could have had something like that too, if your old AD Johnson had been on the ball.

[HailSzczur]

Prairie View's Blackshear Field:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3268923896_06383d64d3.jpg?v=0


Its got a nice homey, state penitentiary like feel I think. Not sure what you find wrong with that....

[msupigskin]

Absolutely cannot believe that this thread has gone 16 pages and Austin Peay's stadium has not been mentioned. The absolute worst. From playing surface to seating to amenities. Talk in Clarksville, Tenn says a new stadium is under consideration. It could not happen soon enough. It's not even a good high school field.
http://www.letsgopeay.com/fls/16900/facilities/stadium_main.jpg

[Reign of Terrier]

Its got a nice homey, state penitentiary like feel I think. Not sure what you find wrong with that....

ever see the longest yard? that's probably what they're going for

[jlandrus23]

What's up with the barbed wire fence at Prairie View?

[TheBisonator]

What's up with the barbed wire fence at Prairie View?

My high school's stadium used to have that exact same kind of barbed wire fence around it until only a few years ago. They still play on probably the worst grass surface in the state of Minnesota. Another interesting thing about my old HS's place: There's no hashmarks on the field. They only paint the multiple-of-5 yard lines and field perimeter. THAT's IT. I used to be a statskeeper for my old HS. One night we were playing an important game and the paint on the field had LONG since faded. It was just a giant slab of brown grass. No one could see the yardlines. I BEGGED the officials at the game to postpone kickoff while we got someone to repaint the field. They refused. Up in the press box, the first time an offensive play began, I looked over to the PA announcer and told him, "YOUR night's gonna suck as well."

Sorry for the cool story bro moment. I had to vent for a little bit.

[owascoag]

Allen High School in Allen, TX...this is their new stadium being built..

http://thepigskindoctors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/allenhighschool.jpg

Two words: Misplaced priorities

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Two words: Misplaced priorities

Since there are no scholarship expenses to a public high school, and the coaching staff is likely paid on the same salary scale as the other teachers (well, probably with some pretty hefty extra duty bonuses), if they manage to fill that on a regular basis, that's a lot of income coming into the school and the district that can be reapplied towards other things.

[DFW HOYA]

Two words: Misplaced priorities

Actually not--the bond issue for the stadium is also building a fine arts center.

A lot of people move to the DFW area. A lot. It's larger now than any metro area outside NY, LA, and Chicago. So where do people settle in this vast area? Where the best schools are. The more Allen invests in its schools (academic and athletic), the more people want to move there, the more business follows, the higher the tax base becomes, and the quality of life follows.

[LehighU11]

not really a stadium, just bleachers with a press box
http://www.shanahanfootball.com/images/facilities_bleachersfield.jpg

I can't imagine what 45,000 at a high school game is like as we are lucky to draw 700

I recognized that field right away, HailSzczur! I'm from the Shanahan class of '07. The seating, though limited, and stadium expansions were a huge improvement over absolutely nothing my Fr and So years. Of course, the low attendance was always a result of being completely outmatched by the Ches-Mont (6 team era).

[Doc QB]

A lot of people move to the DFW area. A lot.

DFW...never realized what the 'DFW" in you name stood for! I may not be alone, but can' help but feel a little slow!

[TheRevSFA]

Actually not--the bond issue for the stadium is also building a fine arts center.

A lot of people move to the DFW area. A lot. It's larger now than any metro area outside NY, LA, and Chicago. So where do people settle in this vast area? Where the best schools are. The more Allen invests in its schools (academic and athletic), the more people want to move there, the more business follows, the higher the tax base becomes, and the quality of life follows.

No joke....I grew up in Arlington..left for college and then moved to the coast after graduation, and in the past 7-8 years it has exploded in growth. I don't even recognize parts of it.

[bluehenbillk]

Not much else is a priority at the Tub either. Until a couple of years ago, the scoreboard barely worked and had to be turned on by hand (I actually went with Scott Selheimer to see that once before a Northeastern game). Guys like Selheimer, who have worked their butts off for years there, deserve better than that. For years, Delaware made money hand over fist and pocketed it, rather than make improvements to facilities. Slowly, but surely, that is now changing. And yes, they finally got decently Internet connections at the Tub, so you can actually stream other games while you work there. You shouldn't take any shots at Appalachian State, which along with schools like Lafayette and Princeton have state of the art facilities. Delaware could have had something like that too, if your old AD Johnson had been on the ball.

No argument on any of that - you're 100% correct that UD just brought in the fans & brought in the $$ but never invested into the hand that fed it. They're starting to pay for it now.

[knucklehead]

It's not so bad since they can barely draw 3K at their games.


Please submit your nominations and include photos.

Liberty is playing at Charleston Southern this weekend and it made me what stadiums could be worse.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/wp-content/gallery/charleston-southern-buccaneers-buccaneer-field/buccaneer-field.jpg

[veinup]

there are a ton of venues in FCS that don't even deserve to be called stadiums.

to me there's a difference between a "stadium" and a "football field with a few bleachers". App plays in a stadium. Montana plays in a stadium. many FCS teams play at a football field with a few bleachers, very similar to where highschool teams play.

[Sycamore51]

You guys have been talking about high school stadiums here and number of students, it's the same here in Indiana, except with basketball gyms. We have schools with 1,000 or so students with football fields holding 1,500-2,000 people and gyms at the same school hold 5,000+ This is not just a few, most school have bigger gyms then football fields.

[PAllen]

"... most school have bigger gyms then football fields."

Now THAT is misplaced priorities! xlolx

[Sycamore51]

Just look at the largest high school gyms in the country. See anything similar with most?!?!

State City Venue Capacity
Indiana
New Castle
New Castle Fieldhouse
9,325[1]

Indiana
Anderson
Anderson Wigwam
8,996[1]

Indiana
East Chicago
John A. Baratto Athletic Center
8,296[1]

Indiana
Seymour
Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium
8,110[1]

Indiana
Richmond
Tiernan Center
8,100[3]

Texas
Dallas
Alfred J. Loos Fieldhouse
7,500[1]

Indiana
Elkhart
North Side Gymnasium
7,373[1]

Indiana
Michigan City
"The Wolves' Den" Gym
7,304[1]

Indiana
Gary
West Side High School Gym
7,217[1]

Indiana
Lafayette
Jefferson High School Gym
7,200[4]

Indiana
Southport
Southport High School Gym
7,124[4]

Indiana
Washington
"The Hatchet House"
7,090[5]

Indiana
Columbus
Columbus North High School Gym
7,071[4]

Indiana
Marion
Bill Green Athletic Arena
7,054[1]

Arizona
Chinle
Wildcat Den
7,000[6]

Kentucky
Somerset
Pulaski County High School Gym
7,000[7]

[knucklehead]

What's interesting is to examine the outlooks of these Football programs with the puny fields and bleachers. Some of them are really trying to build, but will never have bigger crowds or bigger stadiums because they are not the only game in town and noone cares. Some are old as dirt, and "have always had football" and it's just there and few people care if there is a stadium or if they win or lose.

The schools in FCS with big, full stadiums are typically ones who are really trying to build and have a corner on the market in their area. (App, Liberty, JMU, Montana, etc.)

[Pard4Life]

Brown has to be up there somewhere. Antiseptic hellhole.

Dartmouth is pretty bad too... the bleachers are not even centered on the 50 yard line!

[Pard4Life]

No argument on any of that - you're 100% correct that UD just brought in the fans & brought in the $$ but never invested into the hand that fed it. They're starting to pay for it now.

Wasn't UD supposed to do a major renovation to their stadium? I recall seeing some sketches and concepts on the athletics website and probably on here too... doesn't look like they happened... am I imagining this?

[bluehenbillk]

Wasn't UD supposed to do a major renovation to their stadium? I recall seeing some sketches and concepts on the athletics website and probably on here too... doesn't look like they happened... am I imagining this?

Yes there were "sketches and concepts" released in June 2010. Since then you can cue the crickets. Getting info out of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is easier than getting UD to comment on athletic facilities lately. Unconfirmed rumors have swirled saying UD has scrapped the idea of expanding the Tub to the 27,000ish capacity they were talking about and instead are looking to maintain capacity and drop somewhere between $40-60 million to build an Athletic Performance Center, a new pressbox for the Tub & add luxury suites.

[theasushow]

Just wanted to BUMP this thread from last year about this time, its quite entertaining looking at some of these stadiums.

[Laker]

gotta ad FCS/ MEAC back out artists WSSU. Bowman Gray Stadium complete with 1/4 mile paved NASCAR track. Checkout the
Guardrails. actually hosted Wake Forest games in Brian Piccolo era and Green Bay Packers played preseason games in early 60's. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/leftygolfr326/winston_salem_stadium_2.jpg

What they should do is have a game going on during a race. Field goals hitting cars, cars hitting players- it could be like Death Race 2000.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

The UNIDump

A tribute to 1960's Soviet architecture. No End Zone Seating. Drive thru sounding speaker system and uneven seams in the turf

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/UNI_Dome.jpg

Notice the seam in the end zone, the ugly *** empty seats halfway through the 4th quarter of the game on Saturday.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/193734_971652698379_1507538898_o.jpg

[Happy Penguin]

Brookings School District paid to install the lights, so CAS could host night games. Therefore, Bobcats play at CAS also. It's worked well for SDSU and Brookings.

Every time we go to SDSU our radio guys say it stinks like cow crap, even in the press box. Is that true ?

if so that coule be a unique home field advantage.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Every time we go to SDSU our radio guys say it stinks like cow crap, even in the press box. Is that true ?

if so that coule be a unique home field advantage.

I went to SDSU for a year and lived at Berg Hall on the far West side of campus. There literally was a cow pasture adjacent to our parking lot.

[Happy Penguin]

I went to SDSU for a year and lived at Berg Hall on the far West side of campus. There literally was a cow pasture adjacent to our parking lot.

They should fill it with cows on gameday....imagine the WTF factor on the visiting team.

[Go Green]

Dartmouth is pretty bad too... the bleachers are not even centered on the 50 yard line!


If that's your only complaint, you're a tough guy to please. The reason for the bleachers is that we built Leverone Field House before we built the visitors' stands, and that's in the way of having stands across the field.

Memorial Field on a crisp fall afternoon can be quite picturesque.

[Laker]

Brookings School District paid to install the lights, so CAS could host night games. Therefore, Bobcats play at CAS also. It's worked well for SDSU and Brookings.

RR, I haven't been to a Jackrabbit game since 2009- what is that building in the north end zone? I remember when there were evergreen trees there.

[Laker]

Its got a nice homey, state penitentiary like feel I think. Not sure what you find wrong with that....

It reminds me of the Longest Yard movie.

[Laker]

My high school's stadium used to have that exact same kind of barbed wire fence around it until only a few years ago. They still play on probably the worst grass surface in the state of Minnesota.

Which high school is that? When I was a senior at Buffalo Lake I took a pliers and cut the barbed wire that bordered the southwest corner of our end zone. I played tight end and didn't want to run into that. You story reminded me of that.

[Panther88]

What's up with the barbed wire fence at Prairie View?

Either to keep sane people out or keep sane people inside as they witness the atrocious display of football on the gridiron.

[Panther88]

Prairie View's Blackshear Field:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3268099067_17d1df4aa2.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3268923896_06383d64d3.jpg?v=0The restrooms:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3268923848_83385af1b8.jpg?v=0Closeup of visitors side:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3268098941_357470040b.jpg?v=0
I thought we were friends txst80 lol. You've let our little secret out.

[Kemo]

Every time we go to SDSU our radio guys say it stinks like cow crap, even in the press box. Is that true ?

if so that coule be a unique home field advantage.
If this is the case, your radio guy has no clue what cow crap smells like. Maybe someone was farting next to him in the press box?

I've been to many games at CAS and have never smelled anything foul, and certainly not cow crap.


I went to SDSU for a year and lived at Berg Hall on the far West side of campus. There literally was a cow pasture adjacent to our parking lot.
I lived in Berg Hall as well and as few head of cattle as there were in that pasture I don't recall it ever smelling (though I'm sure it has if there was no wind and it was a hot day). It's not like it was a confinement. I actually kind of like the open grass so close to where I lived, but maybe that's just the country boy in me.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

If this is the case, your radio guy has no clue what cow crap smells like. Maybe someone was farting next to him in the press box?

I've been to many games at CAS and have never smelled anything foul, and certainly not cow crap.


I lived in Berg Hall as well and as few head of cattle as there were in that pasture I don't recall it ever smelling (though I'm sure it has if there was no wind and it was a hot day). It's not like it was a confinement. I actually kind of like the open grass so close to where I lived, but maybe that's just the country boy in me.

My apt faced the courtyard and there were several immodest young ladies who lived across the way from us. Don't remember a smell either.

[TheBisonator]

Which high school is that? When I was a senior at Buffalo Lake I took a pliers and cut the barbed wire that bordered the southwest corner of our end zone. I played tight end and didn't want to run into that. You story reminded me of that.

My story has no bearing now, cause they installed a nice new fence several years ago (my HS was St. Louis Park, BTW), and they put in a really nice new field turf surface this summer with hashmarks and even SLP Orioles LOGOS!!!!

SLP was always seen as an extension of the city of Minneapolis. I remember when I was an asst. coach at SLP (right before I went to NDSU) and some Minneapolis city coach was telinbg us how beautiful our facilities were compared to the city, and I was thinking like, "All the area private schools have better facilities and several Mpls city schools have better stadiums, WTF is this guy talking about??"

When I played in HS, after we played a home game, we gathered under an old scoreboard that was installed pre-WWII and had many busted lights. The stadium is light years beyond it was now.

[TheBisonator]

RR, I haven't been to a Jackrabbit game since 2009- what is that building in the north end zone? I remember when there were evergreen trees there.

That building is their new FB field house. They also installed 1,000-seat bleachers underneath their new scoreboard last season.

But they are in critical, desperate need of new turf. And I don't care what any grass-smoking Bunny fan says. YOU NEED TO DITCH THE COW PASTURE, SDSU, ENTER THE YEAR 2005 AND GET NEW FIELD TURF.

[Jacked_Rabbit]

That building is their new FB field house. They also installed 1,000-seat bleachers underneath their new scoreboard last season.

But they are in critical, desperate need of new turf. And I don't care what any grass-smoking Bunny fan says. YOU NEED TO DITCH THE COW PASTURE, SDSU, ENTER THE YEAR 2005 AND GET NEW FIELD TURF.

Field turf?! Aww hell nah. I love the grass and hope we never install carpet. It is just a part of the home field advantage... i.e. Packers at Lambeau, Bears at Soldier Field, Broncos at whatever they call Mile High these days.

[Jacked_Rabbit]

And for the record, Coughlin-Alumni (SDSU) is not even close to one of the 10 worst stadiums in the FCS.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Field turf?! Aww hell nah. I love the grass and hope we never install carpet. It is just a part of the home field advantage... i.e. Packers at Lambeau, Bears at Soldier Field, Broncos at whatever they call Mile High these days.

The difference is the grass isn't terrible at those NFL stadiums. Plus you can have field turf and make it a homefield advantage. All we've heard since Saturday is about our crappy turf, but the fact of the matter is our players never struggle with it.

[ngineer]

I think this has been discussed enough to come up with a fairly solid list.

1. Jacksonville
2. Georgetown
3. Duquesne
4. Charleston Southern
5. Prairie View
6. Sacred Heart
7. Campbell
8. Presbyterian
9. Savannah St. (pre-renovation)
10. New Hampshire

Honorable mention : Albany, Indiana St., Rhode Island, Fordham, Northeastern (RIP)






Desire? Yes. Attendance? 100.2% capacity. Money? No. Last official mention of a timeline? September 2009.
http://www.guhoyas.com/genrel/091009aaa.html

One of many strange facts on the MSF: the stands are not set properly. The home side inexplicably ends at the north 40 yard line, presumably when construction stopped.

While Fordham has one of those "one side only" stadiums, it is actually a decent place to watch a game. Facilities are convenient and sight lines are good.

[ST_Lawson]

Field turf?! Aww hell nah. I love the grass and hope we never install carpet. It is just a part of the home field advantage... i.e. Packers at Lambeau, Bears at Soldier Field, Broncos at whatever they call Mile High these days.

I felt the same way about our field up until a couple of years ago when it rained at literally EVERY home game (and a few were absolute downpours the entire game) and the field turned into a huge mud pit. That prompted the student government association to step up and pitch in the money for new fieldturf. It looks amazing now and I don't think it takes anything away from our stadium. Our home field advantage is the crowd, not our old bumpy, torn-up field where players could trip on dirt clods or turn ankles on potholes.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

The difference is the grass isn't terrible at those NFL stadiums. Plus you can have field turf and make it a homefield advantage. All we've heard since Saturday is about our crappy turf, but the fact of the matter is our players never struggle with it.

They know where all the gaps are.

[eiu1999]

gotta ad FCS/ MEAC back out artists WSSU. Bowman Gray Stadium complete with 1/4 mile paved NASCAR track. Checkout the
Guardrails. actually hosted Wake Forest games in Brian Piccolo era and Green Bay Packers played preseason games in early 60's. http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h88/leftygolfr326/winston_salem_stadium_2.jpg

I want to see a race going on while a football game is in progress.

[dgtw]

A few years ago, Bristol Motor Speedway tried to get Tennessee to play a game in their infield.

[gsu2583]

Worst FCS stadium? I know this is a but of a stretch, but I'm feelin' the hate today, so I will have to go with GaState and "DaDome!" Mainly because it's like Kim Kardashian...

Pretty on the outside:

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm436/gsu2583/hi-res-280948_crop_exact_zpsfde2dc4d.jpg

But not much going on inside...

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm436/gsu2583/earlygsu_zps230e199b.jpg

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm436/gsu2583/xx_DSC1745_zps44195572.jpg

[MplsBison]

I felt the same way about our field up until a couple of years ago when it rained at literally EVERY home game (and a few were absolute downpours the entire game) and the field turned into a huge mud pit. That prompted the student government association to step up and pitch in the money for new fieldturf. It looks amazing now and I don't think it takes anything away from our stadium. Our home field advantage is the crowd, not our old bumpy, torn-up field where players could trip on dirt clods or turn ankles on potholes.

Yep.

Grass should not be allowed in Division I in northern climates. It does not allow for the performance that top level athletes deserve and fans deserve when they pay for a ticket to a division I game.

[MplsBison]

My story has no bearing now, cause they installed a nice new fence several years ago (my HS was St. Louis Park, BTW), and they put in a really nice new field turf surface this summer with hashmarks and even SLP Orioles LOGOS!!!!

SLP was always seen as an extension of the city of Minneapolis. I remember when I was an asst. coach at SLP (right before I went to NDSU) and some Minneapolis city coach was telinbg us how beautiful our facilities were compared to the city, and I was thinking like, "All the area private schools have better facilities and several Mpls city schools have better stadiums, WTF is this guy talking about??"

When I played in HS, after we played a home game, we gathered under an old scoreboard that was installed pre-WWII and had many busted lights. The stadium is light years beyond it was now.

I have to imagine that if you live in SLP and you have any money, you send your children to Benilde or Blake. No way would you let them go to public. Or perhaps open enroll to Hopkins.

[Vitojr130]

Jacksonville...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4851395208_be99a866f3.jpg

http://www.stadiumsusa.com/images/thumbs/b72b05f8c45ea0ba9c0735a73cabbbc76cea756e.jpg-590x1000.png

This stadium cost less than our turf...

[frozennorth]

This stadium cost less than our turf...

that stadium cost less that some elite tailgating rigs

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

While Fordham has one of those "one side only" stadiums, it is actually a decent place to watch a game. Facilities are convenient and sight lines are good.

I agree. I enjoy watching a game at Fordham as well. For a one sided stadium JCF is pretty nice.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Another MVFC hole in the ground. ISUb somehow would rather have some guy go climb a ladder and get the field goal balls than invest in a net in the end zone.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/339259_779266636589_466785541_o.jpg

[Nickels]

Another MVFC hole in the ground. ISUb somehow would rather have some guy go climb a ladder and get the field goal balls than invest in a net in the end zone.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/339259_779266636589_466785541_o.jpg
That's incredibly silly if you ask me.