Best Sports Venue
Posted By: RVFlyboy
Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 06:54 PM
Picking up from another thread. What's the best sports venue where you've attended a game?
For me it has to be
Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC - home of the Cameron Crazies and Duke University basketball! [in best Dickie V impersonation voice]It's AWESOME, BABY with a capital A.
Posted By: HRH Dawnie
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 07:08 PM
Oh Magic...you just know this is going to get ugly!
I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful seat provided to me (right behind home plate under the net) at Fenway. I must say...I really enjoyed being at the stadium where it all began...and I don't even care much about Baseball.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 07:26 PM
Ugly is right, because if someone does not pick Wrigley Field, then they have never been there
But putting aside my bias, I will pick two alternatives: 1. The old Chicago Stadium for a Blackhawk game; and 2. Coors Field - saw a Rockies game there in 1999 and I was very close to enjoying that park as much as the Mecca itself.
Posted By: Countess Kiwi
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 07:30 PM
I really enjoyed Safeco Field, but then again, I have never been to Wrigley.
Posted By: downstown
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 07:37 PM
As much as I enjoy watching baseball games at Busch stadium, I must agree with CubDave about Wrigley Field. There's just something about that place.
I also enjoyed watching hockey at the old Arena in St. Louis (Savvis is OK, but just not the same intensity).
Posted By: RGS
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 07:55 PM
I probably should say Rupp Arena, since I'm a UK fan and the place feels awesome because of the history and my fandom, but I won't, because quite frankly the place isn't consistently rowdy enough.
Probably the best sports venue I have ever been to was Racer Arena at Murray State University. While it was replaced by the stale and sterile Regional Special Events Center a few seasons ago, Racer Arena epitomized home court advantage and explained why high profile programs were hesitant to play a road game against a "Mid-Major" basketball program. The seats were packed tight to the floor and the place was always loud and packed for games against MSU's biggest rivals. Students paid nothing to attend games and all sat (or shall I say stood) on one side of the arena. It was a great place to see a game.
Cub, have you seen
ESPN's Page 2 Ballpark Tour ? They give much love to Wrigley, # 4 ranking so far with few stadiums remaining to be reviewed that should be able to overtake it?
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 08:04 PM
I did see that Rusty - I thought it was very fair actually.
Posted By: HRH Dawnie
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 08:04 PM
Wrigley was closed when I was in town, so they'll have to wait for my vote until my next visit.
I did however remember a great sports venue I was quite impressed with...
The Roman Colloseum in Cologne is kinda spiffy
Posted By: RGS
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 08:39 PM
Wouldn't it be super to be paid to see a game in all the major league parks? (All though Page 2 has divided the task between Jeff Merron and Jim Caple.) I'm sure they get to expense everything as well. Of course, they had to sit through a Tigers' game.....
Posted By: EllenA
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 08:43 PM
I know this will be war, but Yankee Stadium for baseball.
And you really have to be inside Madison Square Garden when the place is rocking. (not much rocking going on lately though)
Posted By: Dollar Bill
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:09 PM
I would have to say that the best venues are two college football statiums:
1. Notre Dame Stadium
2. Nebraska Cornhusker Stadium.
I just find the college football atmoshphere awesome!
Posted By: RBanker
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:19 PM
You haven't seen anything yet until you see a Texas A & M football game - I'm originally from Illinois, I was totally amazed - truly a spectacle and I really enjoyed it -
No cheerleaders - just 6 yell leaders - all guys.
The whole crowd cheers with the yell leaders - trust me they do!
And they 'Hiss' at the opponents and refs.
After a score the guys kiss their gals!!!
They come the night before the first home game for a midnight yell practice - only place I've ever seen the crowd practice how to cheer, and kiss their girls!!
Truly amazing!
Posted By: baseballfan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:24 PM
As much as I am not a Cub fan, I have to agree with Wrigley being one of the best Sports venues. There is nothing like sitting in the right field bleachers on a nice spring day(that is when I was there anyway).
I have been to many baseball stadiums and have not really found one I did not like.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:28 PM
It's ok Marcie - let your inner Cubdom come out!
Posted By: DawgFan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:37 PM
IMO, the best sports venue is "Between the Hedges". Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA.
Posted By: baseballfan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:49 PM
CubDave, I am a Cardinal fan at heart and love to have the Cub/Cardinal argument with friends every year--even if it is last place they are fighting for!
Posted By: hmdagal
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:50 PM
There's nothing like a football game at Lambeau Field in January. You can just feel the tradition, and there's never an empty seat in the house.
Posted By: Cowboys Fan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 09:58 PM
Texas Stadium (I admit I'm biased) for pro / Notre Dame for college.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 10:05 PM
Quote:
CubDave, I am a Cardinal fan at heart and love to have the Cub/Cardinal argument with friends every year--even if it is last place they are fighting for!
That's ok - my best friend lives here, is from Iowa, and we have an annual Cub/Card bet - granted, he has taken most of my money, but not this year. In fact, we are going to tip a few Thursday and watch the Z-Man take apart that Cards lineup.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/26/03 10:49 PM
Quote:
I know this will be war, but Yankee Stadium for baseball.Quote:
I'm a sports fan and have been to quite a few stadiums in my travels as an examiner, and I'm sorry to disagree with you, but I was surprised when I went to Yankee Stadium that it was not already torn down- what a dump! I'm not against tradition though because I loved my experience at Wrigley Field.
Posted By: SanibelGal
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 01:45 PM
Quote:
IMO, the best sports venue is "Between the Hedges". Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA.
That would be my number one choice also for football, although my husband would choose the "Swamp" - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fl. For baseball, The ballpark at Arlington.
Posted By: Quadspapa
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 03:07 PM
Kyle Field, College Station, home of the Fighting Texas Aggies is the best for college football. So much tradition and crowd participation with the yell leaders. Ags Win.
Posted By: MackenzieS
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 06:41 PM
Quote:
There's nothing like a football game at Lambeau Field in January. You can just feel the tradition, and there's never an empty seat in the house.
I was wondering why football (professional) was not receiving it's rightfull credit here. I agree with Lambeau. If you cherish professional football and its history, a visit to Lambeau is a must! However, since they remodeled the arena many of you are out of luck to have had a taste of history while it was still around.
Posted By: DawgFan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:03 PM
Well, I think most will agree that, in general, people prefer college football over pro. Green Bay is probably an exception to this rule, but in general, people are more passionate about college sports because 1)They actually went to the school, 2)They live in a state like South Carolina, where you are taught practically from birth that the college that your parents pull for is the only one on the face of the earth worth pulling for and all others are scum, and 3)College players are still striving for something. Most of them are still out trying to prove something. They are trying to get where the pros are. Whenever I go to a game where my team is one of the teams playing, there is instant comeraderie with those around you, regardless of whether or not you know them. I have been to several professional games and that is not the case. Just one man's opinion.
Posted By: redsfan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:11 PM
For the most part, I really think it depends on the sport. For baseball, Wrigley and Fenway are the best. Sorry, Ellen, but the House that Ruth built is shabby. George needs to spend some of that money on the stadium.
For college football, I have to vote for the Big House in Arbor at University of Michigan. When the band plays Hail to the Victors, the whole place shakes. Memorial Stadium in Lincoln (Nebraska) is pretty wild, too.
For pro football, it has to be Lambeau Field. It feels like a college game.
For college basketball, Cameron Indoor and Rupp Arena are the tops, IMO.
But the top sports venue is wherever the Army-Navy football game is played. The Cadets and the Mids (ALL OF THEM) march into the stadium, stand the whole game, they yell like crazy, they root for their team with all their might. The players never give up, they don't fold, they don't loaf, they don't showboat, they PLAY.
When the game is over, the first thing that happens is that both teams go to the winning student section and sing that school's alma mater. Then, both teams go to the other side of the field and sing the other alma mater. The winners are crying because they are elated. The losers are crying because they are crushed.
If you see a game in person and aren't affected by all this spirit, then you have to be dead.
GO NAVY!!! BEAT ARMY!!!
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:13 PM
While my college did not have a football program, I would still agree that a college atmosphere has got to be great (although the games I have attended at Northwestern don't really back that up) but I will say I much prefer watching Pro Football over college. That said, give me college hoops over pro basketball any day of the week, for pretty much the exact arguments you make regarding football.
Posted By: P*Q
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:14 PM
Quote:
For baseball, Wrigley and Fenway are the best.
Yes, Fenway is a very cool place, albeit old. When you go to a Sox game at Fenway, you can just feel the history oozing out of the place. Now if beers would just go for under $7.00 we'd be OK!!
Posted By: EllenA
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:15 PM
I have to say that I've never been to a college game. It's not really big here but from reading all these posts, it makes me want to go to one. However, I bet that the college games here are luke warm (West Point excepted) compared to where many of you are. I was going to except St. Johns B-Ball but I can't imagine it compares with, say, Duke. Next time I'm in Lincoln for ITI I will try arrange to go to a game.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:17 PM
The "Big House"- Michigan Stadium holds 107,000 fans!
Its awesome baby! Michigan is ranked #4. Maybe a National Championship year!
Posted By: Skunk Boy
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:32 PM
Quote:
give me college hoops over pro basketball any day of the week, for pretty much the exact arguments you make regarding football.
I would agree. With basketball arenas being smaller, and the growing popularity of "Student Only" sections (such as the Izzone, or the Orange Krush), basketball games are much better. The fans are on their feet, (usually) everyone is dressed in the same color, and the student section chants are the best. I'll never forget the "Warm up the Tractor" chant against Iowa.
Quote:
The "Big House"- Michigan Stadium holds 107,000 fans!
Its awesome baby! Michigan is ranked #4. Maybe a National Championship year!
I just had to throw this in. I hate Michigan. And I don't like the Big House. I was there in '99 when they played Illinois (and won!) and my seats were terrible. I was two rows from the top. Planes had a better view then I did. If I was closer, my opinion would probably change (but not against Michigan).
Posted By: Christina
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:36 PM
Quote:
I have to say that I've never been to a college game. It's not really big here but from reading all these posts, it makes me want to go to one. However, I bet that the college games here are luke warm (West Point excepted) compared to where many of you are. I was going to except St. Johns B-Ball but I can't imagine it compares with, say, Duke. Next time I'm in Lincoln for ITI I will try arrange to go to a game.
Ellen - next time you're in Lincoln during the season, let me know and I'll see what I can do...although those guys at ITI have better connections than I do! A game at Memorial Stadium is like no other. We Nebraskans are proud to say that on a football saturday, Memorial Stadium is the 3rd largest 'city' in the state. Imagine 76,00+ all wearing red, screaming "GO BIG RED". It is an incredible experience. We are the nicest fans around. Win or lose, the north stadium always stands and applauds the opponent as they walk off the field.
I took my cousin from Germany to a game once. We gave him a Husker sweatshirt and said we're going to watch football and he was scared to death. In Germany you NEVER wear your team colors to football(soccer) unless you're going ready to fight! He had a blast after he realized he wasn't going to get pummeled.
Posted By: RVFlyboy
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/27/03 08:50 PM
Paul, I'm really excited. One of the things on my lifetime "To Do" list is to go to an Army/Navy game. This year is the year I'm going to get to do it. A friend of mine in Greenville is a West Point grad, and he and I are going to do the road trip thing in December to Philadelphia to see the game on December 6 at the new Lincoln Financial Field. I'll be cheering for Army both because of my friend, and because that's the branch of service I was in.
I went to school at The Citadel, and the Citadel/VMI game is like a mini Army/Navy game.
Posted By: CSpellman
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/28/03 03:18 PM
Yes, I'm biased but the BEST tailgate in the US is Arrowhead Stadium for the KC Chiefs. The game itself is secondary to the actual pre-game party. I've seen tailgaters cook, smoke, fry about every animal known to man! Deep fried turkeys, smoked brisket, pizza, sub sandwiches. We even have a group next to us that tailgate with very expensive wine and gourmet meals--tableclothes and china! Some people stay outside and watch the game on TV. There's no way that anyone can describe and give it justice.
I've been to several college venues, Michigan, ND, Penn State and Athens GA....while those are great atmospheres for the game itself they parties don't come close to KC.
Posted By: redsfan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/28/03 03:48 PM
I'm a Navy fan by marriage... my father-in-law is class of '54. I have not been to a game in years. Maybe I'll have to change that this year. I presume they are playing in Philly's new football stadium
Get to the Stadium early to see the Cadets and the Mids parade into the stadium. It's a great spectacle.
If you want some persepctive on how the players feel, John Feinstein wrote a book a feww years back titled A Civil War. He does a great job describing the game from the players' and coaches' point of view.
Posted By: Walleye Woman
Re: Best Sports Venue - 08/28/03 04:45 PM
Best professional sports venue - definitely Wrigley Field. Best college football - Notre Dame Stadium, although I haven't been there since they added on. Touchdown Jesus is just too cool.
Best professional basketball - Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianpolis. Makes you feel like you are on the court and you get that "down home" basketball feeling.
Posted By: Darth Vader
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/17/04 07:37 PM
Quote:
Picking up from another thread. What's the best sports venue where you've attended a game?
For me it has to be Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC - home of the Cameron Crazies and Duke University basketball! [in best Dickie V impersonation voice]It's AWESOME, BABY with a capital A.
Galagher Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma is far better than Cameron Indoor. Cameron is the GI of the east. If the east coast media would pay attention they would see this to be true. Oh wait, the sporting news named Stillwater, Oklahoma the top college basketball town in the nation and CBS sportsline said GI arena was the number 1 arena in the nation. We don't have to dress up like clowns at OSU to make our place intimidating. It is loud, and very intimidating on it's own. Too bad Duke was too scared to play Oklahoma State this year at Cameron. I guess Coack K didn't want to have to make that return trip to a much much more intimidating place than Cameron.
Posted By: Fraudman CFCI
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 03:25 AM
The best venue is any place the UConn women's basketball plays.
Teams that routinely draw several hundred people to their home games sell out when UConn plays them.
The lady Huskies are the only female basketball team in the country to have every one of their games televised affording coverage to teams that would never otherwise receive it.
Whether their home court at Storrs, the Gample Pavillion, or their home away from home, the Hartford Civic Center, the games are always sold out. They even drew 12000 people in a blizzard!
Go lady Huskies!
Because I am an avid Gamecock fan, I may be a little bias.
It is hard to beat the euthasiam and chill bumps every time the Carolina football team enters Williams-Brice Stadium to the sounds of 2001. The place is a mecca of College Football frency. Go Cocks!
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 02:11 PM
Yeah 2001 is great. Then Clemson comes out all intimidated by the mighty Cocks, and lay down 63 points. USC did get 17 though.
Posted By: P*Q
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 02:14 PM
Having been to Gillette Stadium last month to see the Pats squish the fish, I can say it's awesome! Very modern and everything you can imagine for food, etc. Seats are pretty comfortable too and every seat is a good one.
Posted By: Bengals Fan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 02:38 PM
Paul Brown Stadium!
Why? Because for a change a bigtime stadium didn't sell out to "the man" in the form of a corporate name!
Posted By: kfridge
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 04:01 PM
Death Valley!
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 04:05 PM
Ohio Stadium!!!
Anyone who has ever been to a game there would be hard pressed to name another.
Also, PNC Park in Pittsburgh is gorgeous...not a bad seat in the house (except for the Pirates' dugout
)
Posted By: USCBanker
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 04:06 PM
Quote:
Death Valley!
Please tell me you are talking about LSU - The real Death Valley.
Posted By: kfridge
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 05:00 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Death Valley!
Please tell me you are talking about LSU - The real Death Valley.
That's the one. Awesome tailgating, atmosphere on a Saturday night, fans, history, tradition, and of course the BAND! (former member here)
Posted By: kfridge
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 05:07 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Death Valley!
Please tell me you are talking about LSU - The real Death Valley.
That's the one. Awesome tailgating, atmosphere on a Saturday night, fans, history, tradition, and of course the BAND! (former member here)
How bout the "quake" in Baton Rouge as evidence of one of the greatest sports venues?!?
http://www.lsu.edu/highlights/033/football.html
Posted By: redsfan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/18/04 05:14 PM
Quote:
Ohio Stadium!!!
Anyone who has ever been to a game there would be hard pressed to name another.
I have been to Ohio Stadium, and I can (and have) named others. See my post above regarding the The Big House and Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Add to that the Swamp in Gainesville, Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, and Kyle Field in College Station, TX.
Ohio State's band still has the best song, though.
Posted By: That Guy
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/20/04 06:18 PM
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Definitly underrated after all of the renovations the school has done. Plus playin against Stoops and the Sooners at home is scary enough, just ask Callahan.
Posted By: bucket
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/20/04 06:54 PM
what makes it so special? I think now it's just getting to be a competition among all the pro teams to have the best venue so it may just be who has the newest one at the time
Posted By: Bank on it
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 06:29 PM
Camden Yards is nice.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 06:33 PM
veterans stadium in philly.
the vet was awesome. it was imposing for visiting teams, the fans were allowed to have fun because the real fans could afford the seats. they had ramps that went all around the stadium unlike steps so steep everywhere. a normal person could fit into the seats unlike the linc where they fit as many seats as possible to make more money, not noticing that a normal weight person couldn't fit in the seats.
it was the best!
r.i.p veterans stadium!
Posted By: Sunrider
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 07:53 PM
Quote:
Ugly is right, because if someone does not pick Wrigley Field, then they have never been there But putting aside my bias, I will pick two alternatives: 1. The old Chicago Stadium for a Blackhawk game; and 2. Coors Field - saw a Rockies game there in 1999 and I was very close to enjoying that park as much as the Mecca itself.
The old Stadium!!! I couldn't agree more. No better place for hockey, basketball, and indoor soccer. Growing up I played in an under-16 indoor soccer game there before the Chicago Sting played the Cleveland Force. I LOVED the Force, scored a goal, and got to wave to my family in the stands.
Posted By: Sunrider
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 07:56 PM
Quote:
Paul Brown Stadium!
Why? Because for a change a bigtime stadium didn't sell out to "the man" in the form of a corporate name!
Catching up with Cleveland:
Jacobs Field - Indians
Gund Arena - Cavs
Cleveland Browns Stadium
Hope they never change them!
Posted By: Bengals Fan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 08:38 PM
Yeah, gotta love those browns... they couldn't think of a name so they called it cleveland browns stadium.....
By the way, you know you are a browns fan when your away uniforms are white and orange and the helmet is orange!
You know you are a browns fan when you graduate from high school after four tough years.... as a senior!
Posted By: USCBanker
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 08:55 PM
I am a Gamecocks but even I cant say Williams-Brice is the best.
If you ever get a chance, go to Neyland Stadium for a Tennessee game. But go when they play a good opponent. If you are lucky, you will see a great game. I have been to many UT games. Most when they played my Gamecocks. But I have been to other as well. To tell the truth, I was never impressed. Then last year I went to the USC game against UT that went into overtime. The place was so loud I couldnt hear myself think. You could feel the place shaking. When I got back to Williams-Brice, I could see how we lose so many recruits to UT. They bring them there for the big games and the place is nuts. I can imagine there being a better setting for a football game. Right along the Tennessee river, and Knoxville is a great little city. Its not Nashville but still fun. And the seats are PACKED in, but as much as I hate tennessee, Id encourage my kids to go there before any other school with the exception of USC.
Posted By: Sunrider
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 09:18 PM
Too bad Cincy had to name their after the coach that led the Cleveland Browns to numerous championships and led Cincy to absolutely none.
Posted By: Bengals Fan
Re: Best Sports Venue - 11/23/04 10:29 PM
Yes, but remember, Cleveland ran one of the greatest coaches of all time out of town, and let him build a new team...
Besides, do you know what the Cleveland Browns and Billy Graham have in common?
They both make 60,000 people stand and shout "Jesus Christ"