3. PENN STATE-- Beaver Stadium (106,572)-- No place rocks like Beaver Stadium at night. Add a "whiteout" in the stands, maybe some rain and a fierce Penn State defense, and the intensity is unmatched. there's a reason nearly every Big Ten player calls this the conference's most intimidating venue. Even more daunting, the traffic on the way out.
2. NEBRASKA-- Memorial Stadium (85,000) The "Sea of Red" has filled the stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, since 1962, an astounding 343 consecutive sellouts. With an average home attendance of 91,249 last season, the Cornhuskers ranked fourth in the Big Ten (considering the other three all seat 104,000+ that is pretty good). The historic feel of the 1922 construction has had upgrades to make this a comfortable, high-tech yet intimate stadium.
1. OHIO STATE--Ohio Stadium (104,944) If you don't like red, don't show up. And, if you don't like the marching band's beautifully choreographed "Script Ohio" at half time, there's something wrong with you. The double-decker gives "The Shoe" (short for horseshoe) a massive feel. I saw that Michael Jackson "Moonwalk" the band did. Wow.
Big Ten Football. --Cooter
Showing posts with label Big Ten Conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Ten Conference. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2015
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Big Ten Stadiums-- Part 4: Michigan and Wisconsin
5. MICHIGAN-- Michigan Stadium (101,901) The Big House experience starts at a neighboring golf course where a huge pre-game tailgating takes place. Once inside, you'll be amazed that a stadium this size almost seems compact because it is a bowl where even the top row yields no nose bleeds. Noise escapes the bowl and Michigan fans are considerably less loud so not as intimidating of a place as might be expected.
4. WISCONSIN Camp Randall Stadium (80,321) On the site of an old Civil War training camp, hence the name. You'll never forget your first "Jump Around." The House iof Pain anthem blares before the fourth quarter and everyone starts hopping, the stadium shakes and you hope that every nut and bolt holds. It is the Big Ten's best stadium tradition. So eat a brat, chug a Spotted Cow, toss a football on Monroe Street, grab a seat and look for Barry Alvarez in a red blazer.
--Ra-Ra-Ras, Kick 'Em In the Other Knee. --Cooter
4. WISCONSIN Camp Randall Stadium (80,321) On the site of an old Civil War training camp, hence the name. You'll never forget your first "Jump Around." The House iof Pain anthem blares before the fourth quarter and everyone starts hopping, the stadium shakes and you hope that every nut and bolt holds. It is the Big Ten's best stadium tradition. So eat a brat, chug a Spotted Cow, toss a football on Monroe Street, grab a seat and look for Barry Alvarez in a red blazer.
--Ra-Ra-Ras, Kick 'Em In the Other Knee. --Cooter
Friday, October 16, 2015
Big Ten Stadiums-- Part 3; The Middle Experiences, Northwestern
Especially since I will be at the Northwestern-Iowa game tomorrow.
9. NORTHWESTERN-- Ryan Field (47,330) Northwestern officials liken the former Dyche Stadium to Wrigley Field, without the ivy. There is rooftop viewing, though, on Walker terrace at the north end. The old-timey feel was captured on the film "The Express" about 1961 Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. Since Ohio State fans took over in 2006, NU has countered with ticket-selling schemes to keep purple the predominant color for the Wildcats. However, red dominated last year when NIU played Northwestern. A bonus for the fans on the west side, a view of nearby Lake Michigan.
8. MINNESOTA-- TCF Bank Stadium (50,805) Another corporate name. One of the smallest stadiums in the Big Ten and also one of the newest, opening in 2009. They even sell beer and it has one of the largest college football video displays, measuring 48 feet high and 108 feet across. The Gophers are now outdoors after playing a long time inside at the Metrodome.
7. MICHIGAN STATE-- Spartan Stadium (75,005) It is not the biggest, coolest or most historic, but Spartan Stadium gets the job done-- especially at night, when crowds get wild. Michigan State has been playing well here under Coach Mark Dantonio, going 15-1 since 2013. The stadium opened in 1923 and has had frequent upgrades.
6. IOWA-- Kinnick Stadium (70,585) The Hawkeyes had an $89 million upgrade in 2006 with new scoreboards, more concession stands, rest rooms, private suites and a grand main entrance. This is the place to be in Iowa City on game day, but the Hawkeyes have lost nine home games since 2012.
Ra-Ra-Ree Lick 'Em in the Kneww. --Cooter
9. NORTHWESTERN-- Ryan Field (47,330) Northwestern officials liken the former Dyche Stadium to Wrigley Field, without the ivy. There is rooftop viewing, though, on Walker terrace at the north end. The old-timey feel was captured on the film "The Express" about 1961 Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. Since Ohio State fans took over in 2006, NU has countered with ticket-selling schemes to keep purple the predominant color for the Wildcats. However, red dominated last year when NIU played Northwestern. A bonus for the fans on the west side, a view of nearby Lake Michigan.
8. MINNESOTA-- TCF Bank Stadium (50,805) Another corporate name. One of the smallest stadiums in the Big Ten and also one of the newest, opening in 2009. They even sell beer and it has one of the largest college football video displays, measuring 48 feet high and 108 feet across. The Gophers are now outdoors after playing a long time inside at the Metrodome.
7. MICHIGAN STATE-- Spartan Stadium (75,005) It is not the biggest, coolest or most historic, but Spartan Stadium gets the job done-- especially at night, when crowds get wild. Michigan State has been playing well here under Coach Mark Dantonio, going 15-1 since 2013. The stadium opened in 1923 and has had frequent upgrades.
6. IOWA-- Kinnick Stadium (70,585) The Hawkeyes had an $89 million upgrade in 2006 with new scoreboards, more concession stands, rest rooms, private suites and a grand main entrance. This is the place to be in Iowa City on game day, but the Hawkeyes have lost nine home games since 2012.
Ra-Ra-Ree Lick 'Em in the Kneww. --Cooter
Best Big Ten Stadiums-- Part 2: The Bottom Experiences
14. PURDUE-- Ross-Ade Stadium (57,236) Poor performance on the field leads to poor attendance. Last among Big Ten teams with 35,269 per game while suffering a 3-9 2014 season for the Boilermakers.
13. INDIANA-- Memorial Stadium (52,929) Fans have dubbed it "the Rock" in honor of the Indiana limestone boulder the late Terry Hoeppner had installed in the north end zone. A big challenge for the Hoosiers is to get fans to go to their seats instead of hanging out at the tailgates. Maybe get Indiana's John Mellancamp to start performing for the games.
12. RUTGERS-- High Point Solutions Stadium (52,454) Thumbs down for a mouthful of a corporate name. The stadium is not on campus either. In first Big ten season, though, the Scarlet Knights drew 50,632 per game Improvements are planned.
11. ILLINOIS-- Memorial Stadium. (60,670) The addition of the Grange Grove tailgating area has helped and a high definition video has been added, but the Illini still fail to draw fans, partly because of poor field performance of late. Ranked above only Northwestern and Purdue in home attendance with 41,549.
10. MARYLAND-- Byrd Stadium (51,802)Attendance is below capacity for terrapin games, but an upgrade in 2009 added 64 suites and 440 new mezzanine seats. Students have proposed a name change because former university president for whom the stadium was named, was a segregationist.
Hep, One, Hup Two. --DaCoot
13. INDIANA-- Memorial Stadium (52,929) Fans have dubbed it "the Rock" in honor of the Indiana limestone boulder the late Terry Hoeppner had installed in the north end zone. A big challenge for the Hoosiers is to get fans to go to their seats instead of hanging out at the tailgates. Maybe get Indiana's John Mellancamp to start performing for the games.
12. RUTGERS-- High Point Solutions Stadium (52,454) Thumbs down for a mouthful of a corporate name. The stadium is not on campus either. In first Big ten season, though, the Scarlet Knights drew 50,632 per game Improvements are planned.
11. ILLINOIS-- Memorial Stadium. (60,670) The addition of the Grange Grove tailgating area has helped and a high definition video has been added, but the Illini still fail to draw fans, partly because of poor field performance of late. Ranked above only Northwestern and Purdue in home attendance with 41,549.
10. MARYLAND-- Byrd Stadium (51,802)Attendance is below capacity for terrapin games, but an upgrade in 2009 added 64 suites and 440 new mezzanine seats. Students have proposed a name change because former university president for whom the stadium was named, was a segregationist.
Hep, One, Hup Two. --DaCoot
Best Big Ten Stadiums-- Part 1
From the October 2, 2015, Chicago Tribune "The Shoe Fits" by Teddy Greenstein and Shannon Ryan.
"The Big Ten (-11, -12, -13, -14) is a conference of big dreams and even bigger fan bases. So it fits that the nation's largest three stadiums reside in a footprint that now stretches from Nebraska to new Jersey. With full-scale conference play beginning Saturday, the Tribunes offers its rankings of Big ten stadiums based on quality of its structure, its tradition, the enthusiasm of the fan base and game-day atmosphere."
I still don't know about Big 10-14 teams being in Maryland and New Jersey. It IS a Midwest Conference. Somebody seems to have forgotten that in the GRB race to riches.
--Coot-10,-11,-12,-13,-14
"The Big Ten (-11, -12, -13, -14) is a conference of big dreams and even bigger fan bases. So it fits that the nation's largest three stadiums reside in a footprint that now stretches from Nebraska to new Jersey. With full-scale conference play beginning Saturday, the Tribunes offers its rankings of Big ten stadiums based on quality of its structure, its tradition, the enthusiasm of the fan base and game-day atmosphere."
I still don't know about Big 10-14 teams being in Maryland and New Jersey. It IS a Midwest Conference. Somebody seems to have forgotten that in the GRB race to riches.
--Coot-10,-11,-12,-13,-14
Friday, August 14, 2015
"Papa Bear" George Halas Almost on Eastland That Day-- Part 2
From Wikipedia.
George Halas was born Feb. 2, 1895 and in 1915 was temporarily working for Western Electric, the company whose employees boarded the SS Eastland that fateful day. he was running late because of an attempt ro gain weight in order to play Big ten football. (So, evidently eating.)
he graduated from Chicago's Crane High School and attended the University of Illinois where he played football for Coach Bob Zuppke. he also played basketball and baseball.
He helped U of I win the 1918 Big Ten Conference football title after serving in the U.S. Navy, during World War II. he also played for a team at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station so probably saw theSS Eastlant, now the USS Wilmette, while it was there.
Halas was named the MVP of the 1919 Rose Bowl.
Da Bears, Da Papa. --Cooter
George Halas was born Feb. 2, 1895 and in 1915 was temporarily working for Western Electric, the company whose employees boarded the SS Eastland that fateful day. he was running late because of an attempt ro gain weight in order to play Big ten football. (So, evidently eating.)
he graduated from Chicago's Crane High School and attended the University of Illinois where he played football for Coach Bob Zuppke. he also played basketball and baseball.
He helped U of I win the 1918 Big Ten Conference football title after serving in the U.S. Navy, during World War II. he also played for a team at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station so probably saw theSS Eastlant, now the USS Wilmette, while it was there.
Halas was named the MVP of the 1919 Rose Bowl.
Da Bears, Da Papa. --Cooter
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Big & Loud, Big Ten B-Ball Fans-- Part 3
6. MARYLAND-- (Xfinity Center) West end seats 2,600 students known as "The Wall." First ten rows reserved for the most animated students.
5. PURDUE-- (Mackey Arena) Paint Crew student section.
4. ILLINOIS-- (State Farm Center) Invented in the 1970s, the Orange Krush is one of the more intense student sections.
3. INDIANA-- (Assembly Hall) With 6,800 seats reserved for students, the Crimson Guard dubs itself the largest student section in the nation.
2. WISCONSIN-- (Kohl Center) The Grateful red section on the south end of the arena can push the limits of decency sometimes.
1. MICHIGAN STATE-- (Breslin Center) The Izzone, named for coach Tom izzo surrounds almost the entire lower and upper bowl. Three thousand student seats with the "up-close, rowdy crowd in the 1,500 seats in the lower bowl provides the Spartans one of the country's greatest home-court advantages.
Rah-Rah ras, Kick Him in the .... (Other Knee). --Cooter
5. PURDUE-- (Mackey Arena) Paint Crew student section.
4. ILLINOIS-- (State Farm Center) Invented in the 1970s, the Orange Krush is one of the more intense student sections.
3. INDIANA-- (Assembly Hall) With 6,800 seats reserved for students, the Crimson Guard dubs itself the largest student section in the nation.
2. WISCONSIN-- (Kohl Center) The Grateful red section on the south end of the arena can push the limits of decency sometimes.
1. MICHIGAN STATE-- (Breslin Center) The Izzone, named for coach Tom izzo surrounds almost the entire lower and upper bowl. Three thousand student seats with the "up-close, rowdy crowd in the 1,500 seats in the lower bowl provides the Spartans one of the country's greatest home-court advantages.
Rah-Rah ras, Kick Him in the .... (Other Knee). --Cooter
Big & Loud: Rating the Big Ten College B-Ball Fans-- Part 2
12. RUTGERS-- (Louis Brown Athletic Center) Riot Squad still getting acquainted with its new conference.
11. OHIO STATE-- (Value City Arena) Nuthouse student section, but passion compared to football still lacking.
10. IOWA-- (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) Student section seems more removed and has less impact.
9. MINNESOTA-- (Williams Arena) Aptly-named Barnyard always has some students dressed as cows and chickens.
8. NEBRASKA-- (Pinnacle Bank Arena) Opposing players rank it as among league's loudest.
7. MICHIGAN-- (Crisler Arena) The Maize Craze section of 2,600 fans is known for its intimidating taunts of opposition.
Rah-Rah Ree, Kick Him in the Knee. --DaCoot
11. OHIO STATE-- (Value City Arena) Nuthouse student section, but passion compared to football still lacking.
10. IOWA-- (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) Student section seems more removed and has less impact.
9. MINNESOTA-- (Williams Arena) Aptly-named Barnyard always has some students dressed as cows and chickens.
8. NEBRASKA-- (Pinnacle Bank Arena) Opposing players rank it as among league's loudest.
7. MICHIGAN-- (Crisler Arena) The Maize Craze section of 2,600 fans is known for its intimidating taunts of opposition.
Rah-Rah Ree, Kick Him in the Knee. --DaCoot
Big & Loud: Big 10, 11,12,13, 14 B-Ball Cheering-- Part 1
From the March 1, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Shannon Ryan and Fred Mitchell.
'T'S COMPLETE FAN-DEMONIUM: RANKING THE CONFERENCE'S RAUCOUS STUDENT SECTIONS.
"Face-painted, costume-wearing, vocal-chord-shredding 18-to 22-year-olds make Big Ten games an event. They create atmosphere."
And to think of all that money Mommy and Daddy are sending to their schools so their offspring can act like idiots.
"Can student sections win games? No.
But they make a difference.
Here are the best and worst in the Big Ten."
Well, actually the Big 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and whatever that new logo is B1O, or whatever that is. and especially since it no longer is a Midwest conference.
14. Penn State Too busy counting down the days until Spring Football. (Bryce Jordan Center)
13. NORTHWESTERN-- Wildside started in 2010 and has potential, but still playing in smallest Big 10,11,12,13,14 arena. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)
Who? Me? Foolish? --Cooter
'T'S COMPLETE FAN-DEMONIUM: RANKING THE CONFERENCE'S RAUCOUS STUDENT SECTIONS.
"Face-painted, costume-wearing, vocal-chord-shredding 18-to 22-year-olds make Big Ten games an event. They create atmosphere."
And to think of all that money Mommy and Daddy are sending to their schools so their offspring can act like idiots.
"Can student sections win games? No.
But they make a difference.
Here are the best and worst in the Big Ten."
Well, actually the Big 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and whatever that new logo is B1O, or whatever that is. and especially since it no longer is a Midwest conference.
14. Penn State Too busy counting down the days until Spring Football. (Bryce Jordan Center)
13. NORTHWESTERN-- Wildside started in 2010 and has potential, but still playing in smallest Big 10,11,12,13,14 arena. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)
Who? Me? Foolish? --Cooter
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