FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[batteredbard]

The MC - GC follow up notebook and NCW notes from the Murvul Daily Times

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20070927/SPORTS/70927014

Even D1 can't get any consensus on best stadiums I think the latest one I spotted was like 150 page hard back reviewing one man's trip to attend an SEC contest at all 12 stadiums over two or three seasons. How do you judge a facility? There are some great tail-gating crowds and atmospheres around bad facilities and likewise some great facilties that just dont hold much atmosphere.

What I would love to see (and use) would be a home fans guide for the visitors. Tell the other guy when the parking lots open, what you can and cant do, whats worth getting/avoiding at concession stands. Suggestions on best place to go after the game etc. That's something I could use three or four times a football season at least.

[Black Panthers]

When I made the suggestion on having a top 10 or 20 of D 3 stadiums I was thinking of just the facility itself. Getting into crowd atmosphere, tailgating is too much of a pain to sort out, But being able to judge nice stadiums as CNU's, SU's are easier to judge over a place like Bridgewater's place. The Eagle fans have a great atmosphere with loud fans and a small student band but the stadium is not very up to date. Way too much bickering and politics can play into choosing a top 10-20 if you try to factor fan involvement, marching bands, tailgating, ect. Just keep it simple. Just the facilities itself when choosing a top list.

[Black Panthers]

Prediction.... the Panthers over the Cougars this week 30-17

[batteredbard]

So basically the Wisconsin schools and a few other publics make the list nationally?

Would a city or municipal stadium count? Or would it have to be on campus facility? And how do locker rooms, team facilities factor. Is it just crowd enjoyment?
I've been to a few places that were good for the fans but the visiting team might walkso far to get to the stadium they had to spend halftime on the side of the field because there wasnt time to walk back and forth.

MC folks who may be crazy enough (like me) to hit the William Blount-Maryville game Friday night then drive to Rocky Mount be warned the stadium at WB seats 5,000 but 10-15,000 are expected for the showdown of undefeateds. Maryville's win streak is at 49 straight ( No. 16 in USA Today poll) and getting No. 50 may be one for the history books.

[Black Panthers]

What ever dude, take a chill pill and relax. 8) Like I wrote before fans and tail gaiting do not make for a good stadium. If you recall and go over my notes that I wrote originally, this all started when I suggested having a top list of stadiums of how nice they are. Not the fans enjoyment/tail gating, ect. that is a totally different list. I would put BC in the top 5 of fan participation, tailgating, pep band but not even close when it came to the colleges stadium. I first wrote at how nice SU's stadium was how I wish we (Ferrum) had it. But if I was putting the fan atmosphere in on this list, which I'm not then SU would be a awful place. The crowd was quite, no pep band and the cheer leaders were ugly to look at. You want to make this such an issue to include everything from fans to the brand of hot dog a college sells at the food stand to even how far a visiting team has to walk. Oh poor baby.... the visitors don't have a locker room as close as they would like it to be at some places. Maybe getting some exercise will help some of these teams out.

[CNU85]

Uncle J -

If you head down this way tomorrow - be safe. I'm having a very small tailgate thing going on Saturday. Stop by if you get a chance. I'll be in the parking lot right outside the gates. Blue Jeep.

[allsky7]

To Ryan Tipps aka WCLegacy

Very nice write up for the Mid Atlanctic Region this week. I notice that you live in Bedford. I have always referred to that part of the state as "God's Country". It is beautiful in the Blue Ridge, especially in the fall.

[/b]

     kicker....I live just across the James in the western part of Amherst County. I am in total agreement with your post. 

[allsky7]

So basically the Wisconsin schools and a few other publics make the list nationally?

Would a city or municipal stadium count? Or would it have to be on campus facility? And how do locker rooms, team facilities factor. Is it just crowd enjoyment?
I've been to a few places that were good for the fans but the visiting team might walkso far to get to the stadium they had to spend halftime on the side of the field because there wasnt time to walk back and forth.

MC folks who may be crazy enough (like me) to hit the William Blount-Maryville game Friday night then drive to Rocky Mount be warned the stadium at WB seats 5,000 but 10-15,000 are expected for the showdown of undefeateds. Maryville's win streak is at 49 straight ( No. 16 in USA Today poll) and getting No. 50 may be one for the history books.

     How many SC's have the Reb's won now? Isn't it something like 5 or 6 in a row?

[allsky7]

So basically the Wisconsin schools and a few other publics make the list nationally?

Would a city or municipal stadium count? Or would it have to be on campus facility? And how do locker rooms, team facilities factor. Is it just crowd enjoyment?
I've been to a few places that were good for the fans but the visiting team might walkso far to get to the stadium they had to spend halftime on the side of the field because there wasnt time to walk back and forth.

MC folks who may be crazy enough (like me) to hit the William Blount-Maryville game Friday night then drive to Rocky Mount be warned the stadium at WB seats 5,000 but 10-15,000 are expected for the showdown of undefeateds. Maryville's win streak is at 49 straight ( No. 16 in USA Today poll) and getting No. 50 may be one for the history books.

     Perhaps they need to move it to Neyland? 

[batteredbard]

What ever dude, take a chill pill and relax. 8) Like I wrote before fans and tail gaiting do not make for a good stadium. If you recall and go over my notes that I wrote originally, this all started when I suggested having a top list of stadiums of how nice they are. Not the fans enjoyment/tail gating, ect. that is a totally different list.

If you can't give any criteria how do you expect to get an answer? 
Tell me what defines a good stadium for you.
If you make a list on what looks good that doesn't say jack about what is actually functional. Before the renovation Neyland Stadium looked good from the blimp but you wouldn't want to go to troughs at the wrong time from the stands and the older areas around the locker rooms were dungeonesque at best. So is that a good or a bad on the meter?

Okay now I'll quit bustin about nuthin.

I like Tipps including GC in games of the week in around the region and MC-NCW got a mention as one to watch. If the Scots or the Bishops get blown out how does the loser rebound? Food for thought for Sunday morning.

[Uncle Jessie]

Uncle J -

Stop by if you get a chance. I'll be in the parking lot right outside the gates. Blue Jeep.

Thanks 85. and also the others that have gave me some good options on places to eat down in CNU territory. I'll be heading down Saturday morning and I'll look for your jeep 85.

[kickerdad]

Well at least they can use a football now.
God was that rule ever a laugher. Yes you can have spring practice you just cant have helmet, pads or a football involved.

Having seen most of the fields now that MC has hosted and played everyone over the last two seasons, discounting the shrine at CNU who has the best/worst gridiron facilities for game day?

I rank them in this order


Playing fields:                          Stadiums:

1. Maryville                           1. CNU
2. CNU                                  2. Maryville
3. Methodist                         3. Shenandoah
4. NCWC                               4. Ferrum
5. Ferrum                              5. Tie - NCWC & Greensboro (city stadiums)
6. Greensboro                       6. Methodist  (no visitor side seats)
7. Shenandoah                     7. Averett (make shift)
8. Averett

It was 2005 when I saw Maryville, Ferrum and Greensboro, a lot could have happened since then.

I know that the Averett folks that read this, especially players and coaches will tar and feather me, but Averett is the worst of the worst.  Kept too wet, the turf is not tight at all.  The soccer team plays on the field and tears it up in addition to the football team. Chowan has a better field than Averett. Hopefully they have made some adjustments this spring and summer.

I believe this question has been brought up before and this was my response back in April.

[kickerdad]

That was my response back in April and is the same today. However I believe Shenandoah and Maryville is a tie.

[Old Ref]

I think...(hope) NCWC has turned the corner.....NCWC 37...Maryville 17 

The boys seem to play better away from home....but I can't make the game, so I expect them to roll .....Go NCWC....

[ProudFightingScot]

I think...(hope) NCWC has turned the corner.....NCWC 37...Maryville 17 

The boys seem to play better away from home....but I can't make the game, so I expect them to roll .....Go NCWC....

I think it is going to be a close game.  Of course I am going to pick Maryville, but whoever wins I believe it will come down to a field goal or a last minute touchdown.

Maryville 24 - NCWC 21 Touchdown in the last minute to win the game for the Scots!