I would think they're on a secured wifi connection.
What would you do to improve Memorial Stadium?
They’d better be! Nobody runs a business on unsecured public wi-fi, not for long anyway.
Our stadium has the ability to be really loud since our crowd is packed between the sidelines. I think we retain noise better than a bowl design
We just need to fill the stadium.
the largest stadiums are not the loudest
www.si.com
We just need to fill the stadium.
the largest stadiums are not the loudest
Ranking Top-10 Loudest College Football Stadiums: Oregon Ducks' Autzen Stadium Too Low?
Which college football stadiums are the loudest in the country? Autzen Stadium in Eugene, home of the Oregon Ducks, has long been known for its crowd noise - in
www.si.com
I asked this same question and was told simply, “It’s just too expensive.” At this current stage, not a financial priority.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I have one of those cases! But I like to use multiple cards depending on my rewards, hence Google Pay
In fairness, the response was that it's not about Cell Towers specifically. It's about the back end infrastructure to handle the volume. At a venue that has a high volume event that happens 5-6 times.... PER YEAR !!!! It's not a top priority. Giving people access to their email/texting/websites/etc.... is not important, if it happens as a byproduct of increasing connectivity in other areas, well.... lucky you!!!! THE Primary priority for those events is allowing easy/smooth access to allow $$$ to change hands. We have all heard the term 'throttling' when it comes to bandwidth. I'd guess 100% of that bandwidth is prioritized for financial transactions (ticket & vendor sales) and if there is any bandwidth left over, then you can text your buddy, "Wow, what a play!" and maybe send the accompanying video. Spending money on things that DO NOT make you money is a really quick way to kill a business.
Last edited:
I don't know the logistics around cell towers and bringing them in, but it's not that easy.
Imagine you're trying to get on I-57 after Illinois beats Michigan 28-27. There are 50000+ cars trying to get on I-57. It's completely jammed. Now, someone magically creates 10 more roads that allow people to access I-57. That's great, but it's still jammed because the existing traffic is still there. You are asking for more roads that take you to the same jammed roadway.
There's only so much throughput, just like on a road. Adding more ways to get on that road doesn't make it go faster. I'm not a cell network expert, but I am a wireless and wired network expert and I'm making a small assumption that they have the limitation that there is a connection somewhere that is getting saturated. There's obviously ways to help mitigate these issues to some level, but the numbers are just too great.
You'd have to also work with T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon to get better throughput/coverage in that area during game days. They could do some things to help, but they are probably ok with it as it's an issue eight days a year. Illinois would probably have to pay to have it done or chip in since it is literally their doing.
RAGBRAI, an annual weeklong cycling tour, takes 20,000 cyclists and maybe another 20,000 visitors, across Iowa from west to east. The route changes each year, with many small overnight cities like Iowa city and smaller towns like Otumwa or Red Oak. I recall one overnight town whose water towers were emptied! Cell carriers deploy mobile towers to boost capacity but decent connections are still hit and miss. You learn to accept it. Part of the experience is somewhat of a “tech fast”, not an entirely bad thing as you’re living outdoors for a week.
Maybe as you suggest, there are numerous bottlenecks to be overcome to support a big percentage surge in cellular capacity in small towns and cities like Chambana. Big cities like Chicago probably don’t face bottlenecks if a measly 40,000 additional people hit the network. Any problems at Soldier Field for example?
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
It's also the question of, "do we really want great wifi for our fans?"
Absolutely not. We want them to be invested in the game!
Apparently a 5G tower can handle 1mil connections in 1km sq. That's pretty amazing. 4G can only handle 6500.
That trip sounds like a lot of fun! Like you pointed out, the provider is going to provide what is necessary for 97+% of the time.
blackdog
- Champaign
Seems like a lot of people are forgetting what cell service was like even 2 years ago. Venders weren't able to connect at all when they first rolled out wireless payments, it wasn't even possible to post a picture to any social media, and texts would regularly fail to send. They've already made significant and noticeable improvements. Every game this year I've been able to film and upload some video clips with hardly any slowdown and texting has been no problem at all. You won't be able to stream or watch videos but it's usable for anything else.
Shief
- Champaign Area
Stadium Itself:
Some have already said this but I like the unique layout of Memorial Stadium and I do not want to change it too much. I agree with closing in the horseshoe, similar to the picture below, but leaving a tunnel. For the North Endzone, I would like to see that structure replaced with a curved structure like the South. I also like symmetry and am open to mirroring the wall and box into the East Side - this will help remove the ramps, allow renovated and larger restrooms to be built, improved food stands, allow space between the amenities and outside wall for people to walk around, etc. I liked someone's comment about moving food venders into the open space behind the SEZ and that sounds like a good idea. I'd also like to see the SEZ and updated NEZ areas have roofs over the concourses, that way people can be out of the weather for a bit.
Doing some rough math
- Removing ~25 row on the ESL will remove around 6700 seats but replace them with ~1500 box seats, resulting in a net loss of ~4200 seats
- Enclosing the SEZ will add ~2000 seats
- Removing the NEZ structure will take out ~4000 seats but add back in ~13500, for a net gain of ~9500
- So the new Memorial Stadium would have a capacity of ~68000, this feels about right and would get us close to the ~69,000 capacity pre-2008
Other Upgrades/Adjustments in the Area:
- Improved cell service - completely agree
- Restrooms and small food stands for the EZL Upper Deck
- Move/build scoreboard in the NEZ - avoiding the sun while watching the clock is helpful
- Improve drainage and level surface of lot west of Grange Grove - the lot can become a mud hole when it rains and vehicles get stuck
- Explore putting in a multi-level parking garage in E-14, potentially remove parking lots around Assembly Hall/State Farm Center and replace with grass on the northern lots and retail/restaurant/shop space in the southern lots (Wrigleyville/Ballpark Village style, also gives the Research Park more places to eat during the week)
- Relocate Central Receiving Building and Garage and Carpool and replace with a multi-level parking garage
Some have already said this but I like the unique layout of Memorial Stadium and I do not want to change it too much. I agree with closing in the horseshoe, similar to the picture below, but leaving a tunnel. For the North Endzone, I would like to see that structure replaced with a curved structure like the South. I also like symmetry and am open to mirroring the wall and box into the East Side - this will help remove the ramps, allow renovated and larger restrooms to be built, improved food stands, allow space between the amenities and outside wall for people to walk around, etc. I liked someone's comment about moving food venders into the open space behind the SEZ and that sounds like a good idea. I'd also like to see the SEZ and updated NEZ areas have roofs over the concourses, that way people can be out of the weather for a bit.
Doing some rough math
- Removing ~25 row on the ESL will remove around 6700 seats but replace them with ~1500 box seats, resulting in a net loss of ~4200 seats
- Enclosing the SEZ will add ~2000 seats
- Removing the NEZ structure will take out ~4000 seats but add back in ~13500, for a net gain of ~9500
- So the new Memorial Stadium would have a capacity of ~68000, this feels about right and would get us close to the ~69,000 capacity pre-2008
Other Upgrades/Adjustments in the Area:
- Improved cell service - completely agree
- Restrooms and small food stands for the EZL Upper Deck
- Move/build scoreboard in the NEZ - avoiding the sun while watching the clock is helpful
- Improve drainage and level surface of lot west of Grange Grove - the lot can become a mud hole when it rains and vehicles get stuck
- Explore putting in a multi-level parking garage in E-14, potentially remove parking lots around Assembly Hall/State Farm Center and replace with grass on the northern lots and retail/restaurant/shop space in the southern lots (Wrigleyville/Ballpark Village style, also gives the Research Park more places to eat during the week)
- Relocate Central Receiving Building and Garage and Carpool and replace with a multi-level parking garage
orange100
time to hop on the wife
Yeah it's really up to the carriers to put more backbone in there if that's really the issue. Some years ago AT&T added several hundred access points around campus to improve coverage which did help when I was an ATT customer so the backend ought to be sufficient, but thats ATT. I don't know specifics, I dont have any contacts in university IT anymore but I suspect the roaming vendors are likely on dedicated secure wifi channels, the booths are probably on dedicated wired, both supplied by the university at cost. Fans and others are just on whatever carrier they are tied to. I don't use public wifi so I did not even check if any were available in the vicinity.
I remember that as well. Memorial Stadium has come a long way since those days. Fix the horseshoe, lower the field and we'll be very close to what we need to be.
Based on a few comments that I have seen lowering the field appears to not be possible due to extremely high cost. Even though I wish it was.
We went to the game last Friday, and had pretty much no cell service during most of the game. If Nebraska can't do it, we're probalby not next in line. I do watch the game, but had a lot of people texting me because they knew we were there.
Someone also mentioned drainage, a high water table.
Obviously lighting, wifi, sound and structural remodeling that is required to maintain the current stadium and slightly enhance. But a couple of other things, most have been touched on.
1. Bring the horseshoe down lower to field level, I wouldn't think this require much and could be done soon-ish. If we continue to improve on the field and in attendance then you build the horseshoe up to the top of the scoreboard with suites on the sides.
2. Video boards installed on the NE and NW towers. People currently sitting in the horseshoe have to break their neck to watch video replays and scoreboard check. This could also help keep some noise in the stadium rather than escaping through those areas and could also provide a wind block.
3. Relocate the students and guests. Students should be on the sideline behind the visitors. Do giveaway tickets and family tickets in the NEZ or have this area setup as a beer garden type area. Relocate the guests to the East balcony.
1. Bring the horseshoe down lower to field level, I wouldn't think this require much and could be done soon-ish. If we continue to improve on the field and in attendance then you build the horseshoe up to the top of the scoreboard with suites on the sides.
2. Video boards installed on the NE and NW towers. People currently sitting in the horseshoe have to break their neck to watch video replays and scoreboard check. This could also help keep some noise in the stadium rather than escaping through those areas and could also provide a wind block.
3. Relocate the students and guests. Students should be on the sideline behind the visitors. Do giveaway tickets and family tickets in the NEZ or have this area setup as a beer garden type area. Relocate the guests to the East balcony.
band camp
- STL City
Ganja Grove
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
If it means selling out the stadium consistently, then yes.
Otherwise, it does not really matter too much and is likely a waste of scant resources that can be used elsewhere.
For me at least, all I need is to be able to quickly refresh out-of-town scores on my phone during commercial breaks. My wife, on the other hand, wants to be able to browse internet during the game. So if better internet means I have a better chance of going to more games, then I am all for better internet!
Party Boxes/suites and 'club level' seats are the real money makers. The SEZ needs to be moved towards the field and the bulk of the seating should be enhanced seating options. Suites and club amenities. The AD can generate much more revenue than the $8 tickets in the top of the horseshoe. Money over attendance.