Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Inspired by the conversation in the Nebraska football pregame thread, I was curious what Big Ten stadiums and arenas we have all visited - or more generally, what college towns and campuses have you been to within the conference, and what were your thoughts?
Personally, I have only really spent time in Champaign, Iowa City, Evanston and Madison, with a short visit to West Lafayette.
Iowa City, IA: I lived many years in Iowa City, so I am biased ... but it's a great college town. Its setup is as if Downtown Champaign and Campustown were meshed into one, and it works fantastically. The campus itself is not as nice as Illinois' (though it's just different/hard to compare, and this is JMO...), but I admit I frickin' love the setup of Iowa City as a "downtown" area. As far as the venues, I absolutely love Kinnick Stadium and think it's the hidden gem of the conference. It's loud, intimate, classic and the fans support their team through thick and thin ... but the real prize is the tailgating scene around the stadium. I have not been to many places, but I would be shocked if there are many Big Ten setups as cool as Iowa's. Carver (basketball) is the very definition of "meh," though; it's in a bland area far from campus, and it is so non-descript inside with a terrible setup for the students. With that said, due to the low ceiling it can get very loud, and there really isn't a bad seat in the house.
Evanston, IL: I have to say that I found this to be the most massively overrated town and campus I have ever visited. Don't get me wrong, Evanston is nice and the campus is nice, as well ... but I can only assume people are mentally clouded by the proximity to the lake and to Chicago? Because the town itself seems exceedingly boring, and the campus, while cool, does not exactly stand out vs. other ones I have visited. I have only ever been in Ryan Field during a non-gameday, but I feel like you would have to have sentimental attachment to it to really think it's cool. I have been to Welsh-Ryan a few times for basketball games but only after the renovation, and I like it. Sure, it's a dinky little arena-ette, but there aren't any bad seats, and I have fond memories of Illini fans absolutely taking the place over every time.
Madison, WI: I have been in Madison a few times but only twice for a proper visit - both Iowa football games there with my buddies. Madison is obviously awesome and deserves all of its praise, but I almost feel like it's too big to really get a "feel" for in the way you can for Bloomington, Champaign, Iowa City, etc .... in other words, it's a true city and much more than just "UW." I have never been to the Kohl Center, though it seems pretty "bland NBA arena" in feel and always seems quieter than it should be on TV. I have been to Camp Randall, though, and I think it's a cool enough stadium. However, I was absolutely shocked at how quiet it is compared to Kinnick or even Memorial Stadium when we have the place full ... I think it suffers from the "Big House Problem" of the seats not being steep enough to trap the noise? Anyway, would definitely go back.
West Lafayette, IN: I actually took a detour through West Lafayette on the way back to Chicago from Indianapolis just to grab a bite to eat and try to get a feel for it, and I must say I do not understand the hate it seems to usually get ... I thought it was a cute town with some pretty good scenery (for the Corn Belt) surrounding it and a very pretty campus. I have not been to either of Purdue's venues, though I must admit I only really have a strong desire to see Mackey (which is at the top of my basketball arena bucket list).
Top bucket list visits:
Football
1. Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)
2. Beaver Stadium (Penn State)
3. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)
Basketball
1. Mackey Arena (Purdue)
2. Breslin Center (Michigan State) ... such nostalgia for those classic 2000s years.
3. Williams Arena - "The Barn" (Minnesota) ... always loved this place!
Campus/Town
1. Ann Arbor ... let's see if this one is overrated, as well!
2. Bloomington, IN ... some worship this place, others (like my sister) say it's overrated and the town outside the campus leaves tons to be desired ... so I want to find out for myself!
3. State College, PA ... I have hated PSU ever since the incident, but I will admit State College looks awesome!
Personally, I have only really spent time in Champaign, Iowa City, Evanston and Madison, with a short visit to West Lafayette.
Iowa City, IA: I lived many years in Iowa City, so I am biased ... but it's a great college town. Its setup is as if Downtown Champaign and Campustown were meshed into one, and it works fantastically. The campus itself is not as nice as Illinois' (though it's just different/hard to compare, and this is JMO...), but I admit I frickin' love the setup of Iowa City as a "downtown" area. As far as the venues, I absolutely love Kinnick Stadium and think it's the hidden gem of the conference. It's loud, intimate, classic and the fans support their team through thick and thin ... but the real prize is the tailgating scene around the stadium. I have not been to many places, but I would be shocked if there are many Big Ten setups as cool as Iowa's. Carver (basketball) is the very definition of "meh," though; it's in a bland area far from campus, and it is so non-descript inside with a terrible setup for the students. With that said, due to the low ceiling it can get very loud, and there really isn't a bad seat in the house.
Evanston, IL: I have to say that I found this to be the most massively overrated town and campus I have ever visited. Don't get me wrong, Evanston is nice and the campus is nice, as well ... but I can only assume people are mentally clouded by the proximity to the lake and to Chicago? Because the town itself seems exceedingly boring, and the campus, while cool, does not exactly stand out vs. other ones I have visited. I have only ever been in Ryan Field during a non-gameday, but I feel like you would have to have sentimental attachment to it to really think it's cool. I have been to Welsh-Ryan a few times for basketball games but only after the renovation, and I like it. Sure, it's a dinky little arena-ette, but there aren't any bad seats, and I have fond memories of Illini fans absolutely taking the place over every time.
Madison, WI: I have been in Madison a few times but only twice for a proper visit - both Iowa football games there with my buddies. Madison is obviously awesome and deserves all of its praise, but I almost feel like it's too big to really get a "feel" for in the way you can for Bloomington, Champaign, Iowa City, etc .... in other words, it's a true city and much more than just "UW." I have never been to the Kohl Center, though it seems pretty "bland NBA arena" in feel and always seems quieter than it should be on TV. I have been to Camp Randall, though, and I think it's a cool enough stadium. However, I was absolutely shocked at how quiet it is compared to Kinnick or even Memorial Stadium when we have the place full ... I think it suffers from the "Big House Problem" of the seats not being steep enough to trap the noise? Anyway, would definitely go back.
West Lafayette, IN: I actually took a detour through West Lafayette on the way back to Chicago from Indianapolis just to grab a bite to eat and try to get a feel for it, and I must say I do not understand the hate it seems to usually get ... I thought it was a cute town with some pretty good scenery (for the Corn Belt) surrounding it and a very pretty campus. I have not been to either of Purdue's venues, though I must admit I only really have a strong desire to see Mackey (which is at the top of my basketball arena bucket list).
Top bucket list visits:
Football
1. Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)
2. Beaver Stadium (Penn State)
3. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)
Basketball
1. Mackey Arena (Purdue)
2. Breslin Center (Michigan State) ... such nostalgia for those classic 2000s years.
3. Williams Arena - "The Barn" (Minnesota) ... always loved this place!
Campus/Town
1. Ann Arbor ... let's see if this one is overrated, as well!
2. Bloomington, IN ... some worship this place, others (like my sister) say it's overrated and the town outside the campus leaves tons to be desired ... so I want to find out for myself!
3. State College, PA ... I have hated PSU ever since the incident, but I will admit State College looks awesome!