Mike Thomas talks changes to the Illinois football game day experience & appearance of Memorial Stadium

[Thacher_H_Guild]

Originally Posted by IlliniKat91

So do the Bears, Sox, Brewers, Packers, etc. Anyone with an area to tailgate, really. Honestly, I think the people who leave fall into one of two groups: people who don't give a damn about the game and so want to get back to pack up/relax some more while they wait for everyone else to rush out into traffic, or people who care too much and can't handle seeing a tough loss in person. It happens.

Also, I know a lot of people book after halftime because they're only there to see the band. My old roommate is a prime example; she'll spend the first half wandering, getting food, etc., come back to see the band and then take off. It annoys the hell out of me, but it's her cash to spend on a ticket and if she wants to do that, it is what it is. It'll only stop once we put a consistently good team on the field and ticket resale prices go way up.

Like I said, it is what it is, and like others have said, it'll change once we put a consistent winning tradition in place.

Yes winning. My point is more that if they are winning and people are paying attention to what goes on inside the stadium, then nobody would be too worried about whether the tailgate is just right. Complaining about the tailgating is a symptom of lack of enthusiasm for the experience inside the stadium. So I think the focus on improving things inside the stadium is the right one. Music or whatnot is not going to substitute for winning, but the first priority is to make it fun to be at a game for the casual fan. Then if Illinois wins consistently, they will become serious fans. Tailgating is one optional element of a good gameday experience but it is far from essential.

(In fact, I was trying to remember if there was any tailgating to speak of at Nebraska when I used to have season tickets there, and I asked Mrs. Guild, and she couldn't remember either. I'm sure there were some tailgaters, but there was lots of entertainment and enthusiasm, and it had nothing to do with tailgating.)

As for people who go to see the band, I remember that being the big thing at Wisconsin for a long time. I bet they don't have that problem anymore. (Yes, it is a problem. Even if people want to see the band, there is no reason why they shouldn't also want to see football.) As good as the Marching Illini are, if there are people going just to see them, that is another symptom that the rest of the experience inside the stadium needs to be improved. If that means shaking things up a bit, I'm all for it. But mostly it is going to take big wins at home.

[Sure Shot]

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

Understatement. It looked like the stadium was under construction from the outside.

Yeah, it's better now, all things considered.

The South End Zone needs a total overhaul (tear it down and start over, closer to the field, steeper bank, much more seating, maybe two tiers and some luxury boxes), but it's one thing at a time, and the AH is the thing right now.

Here is what they should do:

[edavis4]

I agree! The south horseshoe needs some work done to it! It's been years now since the track was taken out of Memorial Stadium. I wanna see those bleachers come down as close to the endzone as possible!

[carmelillini]

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

Yeah, it's better now, all things considered.

The South End Zone needs a total overhaul (tear it down and start over, closer to the field, steeper bank, much more seating, maybe two tiers and some luxury boxes), but it's one thing at a time, and the AH is the thing right now.

Here is what they should do:

Agree. I have two season tickets in this Razorback Stadium south endzone. Great seats and close to the action. They did it right in Fayetteville.

[256ILLINI]

Mike Thomas

If you drive in from west or tailgate on west side of Memorial Stadium you'll some new signage this fall. #ILLINI http://twitpic.com/alhkr8



http://twitter.com/IlliniFootball

[AHSIllini32]

Just another small aspect that makes a huge difference!

[illinicb]

What is that exactly?

My initial reaction is that it takes away from the classic look of the colonnades. Looks like something that was just stuck on the side of the stadium.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by illinicb

What is that exactly?

My initial reaction is that it takes away from the classic look of the colonnades. Looks like something that was just stuck on the side of the stadium.

It's a sign that says Illini and it doesn't take away from the colonnades at all. It's above them.

[illinicb]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

It's a sign that says Illini and it doesn't take away from the colonnades at all. It's above them.

Yes I see the letters and it is obviously above the colonnades. I didn't say it covers the colonnades, I said it takes away from the classic look.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by illinicb

Yes I see the letters and it is obviously above the colonnades. I didn't say it covers the colonnades, I said it takes away from the classic look.

I never said you said they covered them. Either way, I like it.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by illinicb

Yes I see the letters and it is obviously above the colonnades. I didn't say it covers the colonnades, I said it takes away from the classic look.

It definitely draws the eye upward toward the new addition and away from the colonnades. Anything that emphasizes the new addition detracts from the classic architecture. But at least we won't have any fans confused about who plays in this stadium.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

It definitely draws the eye upward toward the new addition and away from the colonnades. Anything that emphasizes the new addition detracts from the classic architecture. But at least we won't have any fans confused about who plays in this stadium.

If anything i think it will draw more eyes to the colonnades. Your eyes naturally have to go over the colonnades on your way up to the new sign. Before those windows were just kinda there. At least now they're being used to get the name 'Illini' out there even more.

[DrewD007]

I think this was part of the initial renderings having Illini in those windows, but without the white background. Might've been too hard to see if they did it that way. Can't find any renderings on the Illinois site though, guess they took them down.

[Dan]

Seats used to be blue.

The @IlliniSeats are installed at Memorial Stadium: http://twitpic.com/ali1zm. You can still get yours at http://illiniseats.com. #Illini



http://twitter.com/IlliniFootball

[DaytonIllini]

Uggh that picture reminds me of my last few games there. Obesity Central amongst the fans and they still have the same number of seats in a row as they had when people were half the size they are now. For $50 a seat they should actually have, you know, seats.

[DrewD007]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

Uggh that picture reminds me of my last few games there. Obesity Central amongst the fans and they still have the same number of seats in a row as they had when people were half the size they are now. For $50 a seat they should actually have, you know, seats.

Yeah that's why I ended up buying the cushion things for my season tickets. I love how they advertise on the site that it "Clearly defines seat" and "no more neighbor sitting half-way on your seat". Really should just remove about 2 seats per row.

[NicelyDone]

The vandalization of the grand old lady continues............

What next? Will the sign flash ILLINI at night?

[NicelyDone]

Originally Posted by illinicb

What is that exactly?

My initial reaction is that it takes away from the classic look of the colonnades. Looks like something that was just stuck on the side of the stadium.

You mean stuck on like the new press box?

[idoc13]

I like it. Would like to see a large block I or circle I above it as well.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by NicelyDone

You mean stuck on like the new press box?

Yes. This just draws slightly more attention to the stuck on press box/luxury suite thing.

[idoc13]

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

Yeah, it's better now, all things considered.

The South End Zone needs a total overhaul (tear it down and start over, closer to the field, steeper bank, much more seating, maybe two tiers and some luxury boxes), but it's one thing at a time, and the AH is the thing right now.

Here is what they should do:

Sounds good. Then move the students there because the current seating for them is awful. Can't even fit all the students in the NEZ.. pathetic.

[Umgawa1]

Originally Posted by idoc13

I like it. Would like to see a large block I or circle I above it as well.

.

The original renderings had an orange BlockI and two flagpoles on the top center section (above the new "ILLINI").

[jackman404]

For everyone complaining about the "ILLINI", I seriously doubt most people would even realize the change was there if it wasn't pointed out to them. I personally like it, but I don't think it makes much of a difference.

[jackman404]

Originally Posted by idoc13

Sounds good. Then move the students there because the current seating for them is awful. Can't even fit all the students in the NEZ.. pathetic.

I honestly can't remember a single game where the NEZ area was completely filled with students. I realize the students also have the corner area next to the end zone, but that never looks that full either. Not having enough room for all the students is not a problem that we have right now.

Any renovation work that is going to be done needs to work on improving the ever aging bathrooms and concourse areas. Personally, I think it's sad that you get such a different game day experience depending soley on what side of the stadium you sit on.

[illinicb]

Originally Posted by NicelyDone

You mean stuck on like the new press box?

I won't disagree. All of this is a matter of personal taste of course. I prefer the new press box to the old press box that looked even worse sitting on top of the stadium, but your point is well taken.