FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[RoyalsFan]

Separated at birth:

I don't think any Bethel fans here have denied that we don't have a state of the art stadium and could stand several upgrades. We just don't think it is such a terrible place to 'watch' a football game. 2 entirely different subjects.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Separated at birth:

I want to see what you can come up with as a side by side with Augsburg's field.

[OldAuggie]

Separated at birth:

I want to see what you can come up with as a side by side with Augsburg's field.

aka "The Cage"

[Texas Ole]

The stadium is kind of odd.  It feels like a bunch of stands thrown on to a field.  It doesn't really fit the landscape.  The entire campus is a little odd.  It definitely shows its age and restrictions that come with a move in the 70s.  St. Olaf has several buildings that show similar issues.

I haven't been to most of the stadiums since 2008 so recent renovations will be excluded.  I will also not rate Gustavus since it has been moved.  Here are my stadium rankings in the MIAC with comments:
1)  Concordia- If it did not have track it would be one of my all time favorites.  It reminds me of the old Texas HS stadiums.  It wins with the higher stands.
2)  SJU-  Really does have a great feel with the surrounding landscape.  This is a very close second.  It felt low and the track doesn't help that one since you are pushed back even further.  Taking a shuttle to the field felt a little odd.  I don't even do that for D1 games. 
3)  Carleton-  Just a cool facility with a nice size.  Some of the facilities are lacking for teams, but it is a great place to watch the games.  The track is an issue, but not as much since you can sit higher.  Also being able to walk in with a cooler full of beer didn't hurt the experience.  As always with beer sharing is caring.
4)  St. Olaf-  I like the elevated sight lines and and how it fits the landscape.  It is a great track stadium, but I don't like it for football.  It feels like a JH stadium.  If I ever win the lottery my dream would be to move football to Mellby and redo it completely.
5)  Bethel-  It really isn't that great, but the elevated bleachers and two sides are nice.  Also being the stands being elevated is really nice.  It is just horribly out of place.
6)  Hamline-  I like the indoor features, but it is just too small.  The bleachers are way too low.  It is also a wind tunnel.
7)  UST-  Often overly crowded and was very outdated the last time I was there.  The idea of being an enclosed fortress was cool, but made it feel further cramped.  Also the low bleachers hurt it.  Parking is probably the real killer.  I'm not sure the capacity of the stadium is accurate.
8)  Augsburg-  Whether it is the TCF, Metrodome, or Nelson it is just horrible.  Nelson is small with horrible sight lines.  The other stadiums are huge and feel empty.  Don't get me started on parking and the neighborhood.  Pyrotechnics there could easily be confused with gunfire.  I did take several classes there so I feel comfortable saying that about Augsburg.

I have not done the SJU tailgate (pardon me for not trying to spell b/c it would be brutal), but for the most part it is severely lacking in the MIAC.  I do have a goal to do it soon.  I've done the SMU and TCU tailgates.  They are absolutely insane.  People buy season tickets for the parking spaces.  These spaces are decked out with satellite TVs, huge smokers, tents, and some of the most creative vehicles on earth which includes the Tailgate Command Unit.

[sjusection105]

Just curious, what makes it such a bad place to watch a game?

It just feels like a mediocre high school field as opposed to a place where a perennial national powerhouse plays their home games.  Couple that with the fact that SJU often struggles there, and I just don't like the place. 

Ok, neither of those arguments have anything to do with being able to watch a game there. Sure, if you are a player than you could complain about the field and not like having to play on the field. So I guess my original comment was pretty much spot on - that you have too many bad memories there - not so much that it is a terrible place to watch a football game. 

The seats need to have backs on them & be individual seats,not a metal bleacher.....

[sjusection105]

The stadium is kind of odd.  It feels like a bunch of stands thrown on to a field.  It doesn't really fit the landscape.  The entire campus is a little odd.  It definitely shows its age and restrictions that come with a move in the 70s.  St. Olaf has several buildings that show similar issues.

I haven't been to most of the stadiums since 2008 so recent renovations will be excluded.  I will also not rate Gustavus since it has been moved I will, it's pretty nice & the concession stand has a good burger combo deal. The restrooms suck because no architect has discovered that there should be a door for "IN" and one for "OUT". 
Here are my stadium rankings in the MIAC with comments:
1a)  Concordia- If it did not have track it would be one of my all time favorites.  It reminds me of the old Texas HS stadiums.  It wins with the higher stands.
1b)  SJU-  Really does have a great feel with the surrounding landscape.  This is a very close second virtual tie for 1st.  It felt lowThe reserved seats & suites are pretty nice for D3 and the track doesn't help that one since you are pushed back even further.  Taking a shuttle to the field felt a little odd.(But SJU always draws big crowds)  I don't even do that for D1 games. 
3)  Carleton-  Just a cool facility with a nice size.Needs better bathrooms  Some of the facilities are lacking for teams, but it is a great place to watch the games.  The track is an issue, but not as much since you can sit higher.  Also being able to walk in with a cooler full of beer didn't hurt the experience.  As always with beer sharing is caring.
4)  St. Olaf-  I like the elevated sight lines and and how it fits the landscape.  It is a great track stadium, but I don't like it for football.I agree  It feels like a JH stadium.  If I ever win the lottery my dream would be to move football to Mellby and redo it completely.
5)  Bethel-  It really isn't that great, That has already been established but the elevated bleachers and two sides are nice.  Also being the stands being elevated is really nice.  It is just horribly out of place. Redundancy
6)  Hamline-  I like the indoor features, but it is just too small.  The bleachers are way too low.  It is also a wind tunnel.But, there have been Bigfoot sightings (a reference to the previous coach...in case you forgot
7)  UST-  Often overly crowded and was very outdated the last time I was there.Me too  The idea of being an enclosed fortress was cool, but made it feel further cramped.  Also the low bleachers hurt it.  Parking is probably the real killerreally sucks.  I'm not sure the capacity of the stadium is accurate.The neighborhood has quite a bit of public urination on Johnnie/Tommie game day
8)  Augsburg-  Whether it is the TCF, Metrodome, or Nelson it is just horrible.  Nelson is small with horrible sight lines.  The other stadiums are huge and feel empty.  Don't get me started on parking and the neighborhood.I concur  Pyrotechnics there could easily be confused with gunfire.  I did take several classes there so I feel comfortable saying that about Augsburg.

I have not done the SJU tailgate (pardon me for not trying to spell b/c it would be brutal)Stiftungfestivities, but for the most part it is severely lacking in the MIAC.but SJU has a traveling road show  I do have a goal to do it soon.  I've done the SMU and TCU tailgates.  They are absolutely insane.  People buy season tickets for the parking spaces.  These spaces are decked out with satellite TVs, huge smokers, tents, and some of the most creative vehicles on earth which includes the Tailgate Command Unit.

There, I made some additions for you 

[OzJohnnie]

Separated at birth:

I want to see what you can come up with as a side by side with Augsburg's field.

I couldn't find a funny picture to match this photo of Augsburg's stadium so I just leave you with this snap of the team practicing at 2211 Riverside Avenue.

EDIT:  I self deleted.  It made me laugh my a$$ off but equating Auggies with prisoners practicing in 'The Yard' was probably over the line.  Sigh.  I hate lines.

[bluenote]

2)  SJU-  Taking a shuttle to the field felt a little odd.  I don't even do that for D1 games. 

I can't believe they don't have a monorail to the stadium bar. 

[GoldandBlueBU]

2)  SJU-  Taking a shuttle to the field felt a little odd.  I don't even do that for D1 games. 

I can't believe they don't have a monorail to the stadium bar. 

How old are you? Light rail is all the rage. 

[bluenote]

2)  SJU-  Taking a shuttle to the field felt a little odd.  I don't even do that for D1 games. 

I can't believe they don't have a monorail to the stadium bar. 

How old are you? Light rail is all the rage. 

87....didn't you see my picture on profile?

[Texas Ole]

The stadium is kind of odd.  It feels like a bunch of stands thrown on to a field.  It doesn't really fit the landscape.  The entire campus is a little odd.  It definitely shows its age and restrictions that come with a move in the 70s.  St. Olaf has several buildings that show similar issues.

I haven't been to most of the stadiums since 2008 so recent renovations will be excluded.  I will also not rate Gustavus since it has been moved I will, it's pretty nice & the concession stand has a good burger combo deal. The restrooms suck because no architect has discovered that there should be a door for "IN" and one for "OUT". 
Here are my stadium rankings in the MIAC with comments:
1a)  Concordia- If it did not have track it would be one of my all time favorites.  It reminds me of the old Texas HS stadiums.  It wins with the higher stands.
1b)  SJU-  Really does have a great feel with the surrounding landscape.  This is a very close second virtual tie for 1st.  It felt lowThe reserved seats & suites are pretty nice for D3 and the track doesn't help that one since you are pushed back even further.  Taking a shuttle to the field felt a little odd.(But SJU always draws big crowds)  I don't even do that for D1 games. 
3)  Carleton-  Just a cool facility with a nice size.Needs better bathrooms  Some of the facilities are lacking for teams, but it is a great place to watch the games.  The track is an issue, but not as much since you can sit higher.  Also being able to walk in with a cooler full of beer didn't hurt the experience.  As always with beer sharing is caring.
4)  St. Olaf-  I like the elevated sight lines and and how it fits the landscape.  It is a great track stadium, but I don't like it for football.I agree  It feels like a JH stadium.  If I ever win the lottery my dream would be to move football to Mellby and redo it completely.
5)  Bethel-  It really isn't that great, That has already been established but the elevated bleachers and two sides are nice.  Also being the stands being elevated is really nice.  It is just horribly out of place. Redundancy
6)  Hamline-  I like the indoor features, but it is just too small.  The bleachers are way too low.  It is also a wind tunnel.But, there have been Bigfoot sightings (a reference to the previous coach...in case you forgot
7)  UST-  Often overly crowded and was very outdated the last time I was there.Me too  The idea of being an enclosed fortress was cool, but made it feel further cramped.  Also the low bleachers hurt it.  Parking is probably the real killerreally sucks.  I'm not sure the capacity of the stadium is accurate.The neighborhood has quite a bit of public urination on Johnnie/Tommie game day
8)  Augsburg-  Whether it is the TCF, Metrodome, or Nelson it is just horrible.  Nelson is small with horrible sight lines.  The other stadiums are huge and feel empty.  Don't get me started on parking and the neighborhood.I concur  Pyrotechnics there could easily be confused with gunfire.  I did take several classes there so I feel comfortable saying that about Augsburg.

I have not done the SJU tailgate (pardon me for not trying to spell b/c it would be brutal)Stiftungfestivities, but for the most part it is severely lacking in the MIAC.but SJU has a traveling road show  I do have a goal to do it soon.  I've done the SMU and TCU tailgates.  They are absolutely insane.  People buy season tickets for the parking spaces.  These spaces are decked out with satellite TVs, huge smokers, tents, and some of the most creative vehicles on earth which includes the Tailgate Command Unit.

There, I made some additions for you 

Thanks for the edits.  I definitely agree with them.  More importantly what is the booze of choice at Stiftungfestivities/tailgate?  I gotta say nothing beats a good flask, but when it comes to beer I'm currently drinking Buried Hatchet Stout from the Houston area.  I do miss Schell's Firebrick down here.

[bennie]

I know I am a little late with this, but I have been distracted. Congratulations to the Johnnies and Gary and his staff. Good Job! I think I am already starting to go through VOJ, Buckman and Bryan withdrawal. I won't know what to do with myself on Saturday!!

Congratulations to Bethel! Good luck in the playoffs!!

Today I had minor out patient surgery. While in the operating room, I was chatting with my doctor and found out he went to Linfield. Yeah, he had heard of St. John's (he's quite the football fan). I was careful not to gloat too much since he had a scalpel in his hand!

[hazzben]

I was careful not to gloat too much since he had a scalpel in his hand!

Very wise! God speed on a fast recovery Bennie

[SagatagSam]

More importantly what is the booze of choice at Stiftungfestivities/tailgate?  I gotta say nothing beats a good flask, but when it comes to beer I'm currently drinking Buried Hatchet Stout from the Houston area.  I do miss Schell's Firebrick down here.

Hamm's is the beer of choice for a large contingent. If you roll with me, I prefer Early Times Kentucky Whisky.

For as much as I dislike that institution on the corner of Cretin and Summit, I wouldn't have put old O'Shag Hennessy below Hamline or Bethel. And, you want to talk about a wind tunnel? Holy moly, Concodria has to be #1. I can remember running track meets in Moorhead with 20 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 30 mph. None of our marks counted because everything was wind-aided.

Call me biased--and I am--but I put my top three MIAC venues as follows:
1) The Natural Bowl at SJU (no surprise there)
2) Gustavus
3) Carleton and St. Olaf tie

[RoyalsFan]

Just curious, what makes it such a bad place to watch a game?

It just feels like a mediocre high school field as opposed to a place where a perennial national powerhouse plays their home games.  Couple that with the fact that SJU often struggles there, and I just don't like the place. 

Ok, neither of those arguments have anything to do with being able to watch a game there. Sure, if you are a player than you could complain about the field and not like having to play on the field. So I guess my original comment was pretty much spot on - that you have too many bad memories there - not so much that it is a terrible place to watch a football game. 

The seats need to have backs on them & be individual seats,not a metal bleacher.....

When I go to a SJU home game and sit on the visitor's side I have to sit on a metal bleacher with no back.

To me it's not a big deal - I just bring my portable stadium chair with me and I'm just as comfortable as if I had an individual seat with a back (maybe more comfortable since it's padded).