Memorial Stadium Game Day Experience

[fuddrules]

They are still looking for money for the SEZ. More expensive than initially thought. Hopefully by spring or summer they will have an announcement.

And I'm sure interest rates have made the project even more expensive.

 

[illini0440]

1. Big money donors
2. Students
3. Everyone else

 

[dbeaverfg]

Thank God! The NEZ should be the “last” area of the stadium to fill up, not the most tightly packed in.

See my earlier post from the NU stadium thread.

As a engineer that also loves stadium architecture, I gotta say that the renderings of NW's stadium look amazing.

As for the arms race and improving Memorial Stadium, I have my thoughts. I was in the Marching Illini for 3 years (Fall 2007 - 09) and watched the addition of the NEZ and renovations to the west sideline and upper deck. I hope that the DIA eventually considers lowering the field a few feet and replaces the horseshoe with a similar structure that brings the crowd closer to the endzone, updates the east side hall to somewhat mirror the west, adds a floor/walkway to the east upper deck to allow for facilities and vendors to be up there (don't make people go all the way down for a hotdog), and removes the NEZ structure (the weight room can stay below for Olympic sports) and replace it with a lower stand, walkway, and upper stand for students and young alumni. The student/young alumni stand will include a section for the band and potentially a cutout for a recruiting seating area, I could sketch this out at a later time if asked.

I know this will make Fighter of the Nightman happy. I have heard from a very reliable source that it is "quite likely" that the NEZ will become a family area. Don't know what the plans are for the students and band but probably move back to East side.

 

[1970 John]

What do you do with a friend of mine, an I Fund donor and East Main 50 yard line season ticket holder for years? Grandfather their seats in among the students?

And will Block I, the real Block I card section, be restored? Please?

 

[illini0440]

What do you do with a friend of mine, an I Fund donor and East Main 50 yard line season ticket holder for years? Grandfather their seats in among the students?

And will Block I, the real Block I card section, be restored? Please?

This is obviously still in the preliminary stages but I think you're friend will have a couple options to choose from regarding their tickets.

 

[mhuml32]

Bielema's press conference today walked back some of his comments about the student section move. Could still happen but he mentioned that it's still in the consideration phase.

 

[redwingillini11]

I have to imagine there is a chance that the students wouldn't necessarily get the 50 yard line seats. You could very easily put them on the north end of the visitor sideline and get a decent improvement as to home field effect.

Even if they do get the 50 yard line, its not like people currently at the 50 are going to be put to the back of the line. Any season ticket adjustments will be a fair compromise for all.

 

[ChiefGritty]

I have to imagine there is a chance that the students wouldn't necessarily get the 50 yard line seats. You could very easily put them on the north end of the visitor sideline and get a decent improvement as to home field effect.

Even if they do get the 50 yard line, its not like people currently at the 50 are going to be put to the back of the line. Any season ticket adjustments will be a fair compromise for all.

The student seats weren't quite at the 50 even back in the day. Started at around the 40 and went south.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good here, any situation in which you repurpose the NEZ is a win.

 

[EthanM]

I know this will make Fighter of the Nightman happy. I have heard from a very reliable source that it is "quite likely" that the NEZ will become a family area.

I really hope this is true and they allow strollers. Memorial is a nightmare for families with young kids. We took our toddler to the Wyoming game and had seats on the east side down low. We had to spend half of the game on the concourse to keep him entertained and missed a lot of the game. They need to put more TVs in the concourse area and out where that little beer garden is so people can always see the game. It’s what Fenway does on the street outside because they also have small concourses.

 

[Ryllini]

Any chance there will be a section for the old buzzards that ask people to sit down? They can all sit down the whole game together.

 

[jrichisamazing]

A 9-3 or 10-2 season, including a trip to Indy, should get the donor money flowing again.

 

[1970 John]

Sorry but I won't use any verbiage that smacks of tOSU.

Nevertheless, the “the” belongs there.

 

[dbeaverfg]

I really hope this is true and they allow strollers. Memorial is a nightmare for families with young kids. We took our toddler to the Wyoming game and had seats on the east side down low. We had to spend half of the game on the concourse to keep him entertained and missed a lot of the game. They need to put more TVs in the concourse area and out where that little beer garden is so people can always see the game. It’s what Fenway does on the street outside because they also have small concourses.

I was told the idea is for the NEZ family area to have special consessions, play area, movies, "lactation pods" among the amenities.

Also, not only for strollers, but MS also seems to be lacking (considering the University reputation) in wheelchair accessibility. It really sucks to have wheelchair seating in the horseshoe out in the wide open, exposed to blazing sun and pouring rain.

 

[1970 John]

I was told the idea is for the NEZ family area to have special consessions, play area, movies, "lactation pods" among the amenities.

Also, not only for strollers, but MS also seems to be lacking (considering the University reputation) in wheelchair accessibility. It really sucks to have wheelchair seating in the horseshoe out in the wide open, exposed to blazing sun and pouring rain.

West Bakcony has wheelchair etc parking. I don’t know what the price is. But you are right. The horseshoe is just wrong.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

West Bakcony has wheelchair etc parking. I don’t know what the price is. But you are right. The horseshoe is just wrong.

If there is one thing that can unite Illini fans, it is that the current status of the Horseshoe is a hideous eyesore and general black mark on an otherwise beautiful stadium...

Blech ... lol.

 

[MaineIllini]

I thought “lowering the field” was brought up in the past, and it was said it isn’t viable due to the sight lines from the main stands. Others on this board likely have more knowledge about this.

 

[Subortus]

Any chance there will be a section for the old buzzards that ask people to sit down? They can all sit down the whole game together.

How about a special section in the rear for the self-centered discourteous morons who don't want to sit?

 

[Shief]

I thought “lowering the field” was brought up in the past, and it was said it isn’t viable due to the sight lines from the main stands. Others on this board likely have more knowledge about this.

Maine, lowering the field was discussed a few years ago, maybe only on here, but there was a concern about site lines. If it can be done, I could support lowering the field a few feet.

As for the horseshoe, I liked the high pitched thing a few years ago but my mind changed recently, it changes the feel of the stadium too much IMO. I'd prefer to see a new horseshoe that brings things closer to the SEZ. I could also support mirroring Iowa State's setup and have a beer garden/event space behind the last row of the horseshoe to help keep the sounds in. We could also have the Hall of Fame between the stadium and road. I've already shared my thoughts on an updated NEZ.

 

[GForce]

See my earlier post from the NU stadium thread.



I know this will make Fighter of the Nightman happy. I have heard from a very reliable source that it is "quite likely" that the NEZ will become a family area. Don't know what the plans are for the students and band but probably move back to East side.

I think this is so important to encourage fans with kids to come to games, as well as for local families who aren't necessarily fans to have a fun outing with their kids. As I've said before, we should be taking a page from baseball and get creative with fan- and family-friendly entertainment and marketing schemes. As one example, a mini-Zuppke field where kids can run around and toss nerf footballs (Oracle Park (SF Giants) has a mini-Oracle with whiffle balls and bases), with nearby family bathrooms and flat screens showing the game. Then make the endzone sections more enticing with very convenient / accessible beer and food concessions. There are dozens of ideas you can do on the relative cheap to get fans in the gate and make them happy.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

How about a special section in the rear for the self-centered discourteous morons who don't want to sit?

You can’t reasonably get mad at fans for being into the game enough to stand up often. There are places where the fans hardly sit all game.

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

How about a special section in the rear for the self-centered discourteous morons who don't want to sit?

What you call discourteous others call supporting their team and helping to create the best possible environment. This is something that reasonable people can have differing opinions on. Admittedly, I'm not sure a message board populated by mostly fanatics is going to be the place that's most receptive to your point of view.

Anytime I have the opportunity to see my alma in person, I stand, cheer, and give it my all. I think the players, coaches, and university deserve it.

 

[IlliniShelt]

How about a special section in the rear for the self-centered discourteous morons who don't want to sit?

For those who want to sit, I suggest the theatre or perhaps a piano recital.

 

[Subortus]

We disagree. People with your point of view think that because you deem yourself as being "into" the game and you feel like standing to show that you are truly "into" the game none of the people behind you are equally worthy fans who have an equal right to enjoy the game. Some of them are small women, or children, or elderly, or people who just plain don't want to stand. They cheer for the Illini and support the team as much or more than you. Give them a break. Show some class and manners, and let everybody enjoy the game.

 

[EthanM]

We disagree. People with your point of view think that because you deem yourself as being "into" the game and you feel like standing to show that you are truly "into" the game none of the people behind you are equally worthy fans who have an equal right to enjoy the game. Some of them are small women, or children, or elderly, or people who just plain don't want to stand. They cheer for the Illini and support the team as much or more than you. Give them a break. Show some class and manners, and let everybody enjoy the game.

So in other words, your way is right and everyone else is wrong. Listen to your own last sentence and maybe think about that. Stop telling people what to do.

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

We disagree. People with your point of view think that because you deem yourself as being "into" the game and you feel like standing to show that you are truly "into" the game none of the people behind you are equally worthy fans who have an equal right to enjoy the game. Some of them are small women, or children, or elderly, or people who just plain don't want to stand. They cheer for the Illini and support the team as much or more than you. Give them a break. Show some class and manners, and let everybody enjoy the game.