ND Stadium Atmosphere

[FightingIrishLover7]

i'm saying boost the student population...

Why?

And let students like me in?

Baddddd idea

 

[condoms SUCk]

He doesn't have to make a proclamation. He can just notify the head usher that from now on, the ushers aren't going to ask anyone to sit and/or quiet down unless they're being violent or profane.

True, but I can see the old folks being relentless to the ushers and keep asking them to tell people to sit down and the usher giving in because they don't want to hear it anymore. From an operations management stand point you don't want to make changes without some sort of communication, if not i could see quit a few complaint calls to the AD's office that Monday morning from the fans that felt that they were ignored because those fans would not know that there was a “policy” change.

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

A fairly simple solution would be to create standing and non-standing sections. I really don't know why this hasn't been implemented in some fashion because it's obviously a huge distraction from the viewing experience.

 

[LWeis15]

I like the idea of boxes for the older alum. I'm not joking when I say this and in fact I was really upset when I did see this. I was at the Air Force game this past weekend and I was walking behind an older gentleman and I could smell urine, sure enough I looked down and the older man had gone in his pants. I felt terrible, but I feel like we have been defined by the older generation in that stadium.

I'm sure that this has been brought up and regardless if you want to hate on it or not, but the night game at Michigan was unreal. The students, the parents, EVERYONE for that fact was rowdy that entire game and never let up. We need more of this! But until we can cheer as loud as we want without some 75 year old millionaire telling me to quiet down and complaining to the man in yellow (ushers) it won't happen.

I love South Bend, but there needs to be change...rant over.

 

[Otto]

I was at the Air Force game this past weekend and I was walking behind an older gentleman and I could smell urine, sure enough I looked down and the older man had gone in his pants.

Maybe he was one of the drunks?

 

[LWeis15]

Maybe he was one of the drunks?

Could have been. I personally have never been drunk enough to **** my self (at least to my knowledge).

 

[johnnykillz]

I don't think that's fair at all.

I think we have to embracce our past.

Without these seasoned folks, we wouldn't have America.

There are ways other than by discrimination, to incite the crowd guys and gals...

 

[bigedefense]

Maybe he was one of the drunks?

Maybe his name is Greg!

Maybe! Maybe its Longfellow.

Maybe! I know a guy named Greg, want me to go get him

Sorry for the Mr. Deeds reference, but everytime I hear (or read) maybe, it makes me think of that scene.

Meanwhile, back at the halls of Justice!

I still think the suites would work. Most of the crowd that wants to sit, watch and chill, are the ones that could afford the suites. They could pay for themselves in a matter of years. Plus, if we had recruits visiting in bad weather, they could use one of the suites to catch the game.Didn't we have a young man last year that decommitted because he didn't get enough love (and umbrella) from the coaches. I think it was Justice. Also, I was thinking weather and feeling left out in the cold litterally and figuratively.

 

[Veer option]

I like the idea of boxes for the older alum.

They will be in boxes soon enough.

 

[salveamicus]

If you guys want to be really loud then just give away vuvuzelas to every one entering the stadium. Remember the South African World Cup? That'd blow every one away.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

If you guys want to be really loud then just give away vuvuzelas to every one entering the stadium. Remember the South African World Cup? That'd blow every one away.

There is a difference between being loud and being annoying. 4 straight hours of that? HELL no. If I'm watching it at home I don't want it to have to mute the TV, and if I'm there I sure as heck don't want to hear that.

 

[salveamicus]

LOL... knew it wouldn't be a popular idea

 

[loomis41973]

Could have been. I personally have never been drunk enough to **** my self (at least to my knowledge).

You should drink more.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

You should drink more.

It's all the rage...

 

[meowmix]

By the way, for any of you that are underage, be very careful while tailgating. The demon spawn/$hitheads/indiana excise police will have dozens of undercover officers. Same for off-campus parties.

 

[dshans]

... f we had recruits visiting in bad weather, they could use one of the suites to catch the game. ... Also, I was thinking weather and feeling left out in the cold litterally [sic] and figuratively.

So you feel that some bogus attempt at denying and defying weather conditions in northern Indiana would help to sway them into playing football at ND where the winds blow, the temperatures drop and the clouds open? Perhaps any future stadium improvements should include a retractable roof, along with the large video screens, state of the art sound system, artificial turf (complete with garish graphics at midfield, end zones and sidelines) and enough enclosed boxes to house thousands upon thousands of "unacceptable" older fans. How many elevators with wheel chair capacity would be needed?

All biting sarcasm and sardonicism aside, putting lipstick on the pig that South Bend weather can be during football season is not the way to lure prospective players. Truth may be unpleasant at times, but honesty is always the best policy. The weather for the Air Force game was spectacular. It was more likely that it would be 58 degrees and overcast with periodic rain. Recruits are better served with doses of reality when it comes to playing football at Notre Dame and living and studying throughout the bulk of four or five years in Michiana.

Oh, and adding a roof to the stadium would go a long way in ramping up the volume of the crowd.

 

[NotJayRock]

The SC will be my first game this year (I've been to at least 4/year for the past 6 years), but I never noticed it being THAT quiet. Is it worse this year or what? I will say that Washington in 09 was the loudest it's been for a game I've been too. That goal line stand had everyone going nuts.

I've never been told to sit, and I've always been one that enjoys standing. I don't really know where all this is coming from, unless it's a problem exclusive to this season.

If you really want to know what gets my goat, its that fans SIT DOWN after a timeout during a big run in a basketball game (had season tix since 05). I'm serious. They stand and go nuts during the timeout, but once it's time to resume everyone sits down.

Oh, and until you come here for an IU football game, I wouldn't complain about the atmosphere. I mean, we don't have a lot to cheer for anyway, but it's bad. Really bad.

 

[03euroSVT]

....four or five years in Michiana....

Please don't use the term "Michiana". That is one word that makes me cringe when I hear (or Read) it. ND is in Indiana and not Michigan so we should probably refer to the area as SBI, the Bend, South Bend, Notre Dame Country, etc. I really don't want to be associated with the state of Michigan .

I do agree that if you want to change the atmosphere in South Bend you may want to do something a lot different but I love football in the Fall here in South Bend. The weather is kind of what makes it special. I would love to see a Jumbo-tron but really wouldn't want to see a roof on the place. Give me more seats, alcohol sales in the stadium, roudy but polite fans and anything that is handed out to make the stadium blue, gold or green and I'll be happy.

GO IRISH!!!!! F USC

 

[03euroSVT]

The SC will be my first game this year (I've been to at least 4/year for the past 6 years), but I never noticed it being THAT quiet. Is it worse this year or what? I will say that Washington in 09 was the loudest it's been for a game I've been too. That goal line stand had everyone going nuts.

I've never been told to sit, and I've always been one that enjoys standing. I don't really know where all this is coming from, unless it's a problem exclusive to this season.

If you really want to know what gets my goat, its that fans SIT DOWN after a timeout during a big run in a basketball game (had season tix since 05). I'm serious. They stand and go nuts during the timeout, but once it's time to resume everyone sits down.

Oh, and until you come here for an IU football game, I wouldn't complain about the atmosphere. I mean, we don't have a lot to cheer for anyway, but it's bad. Really bad.

I used to go to a lot of games every year but then I became a father and have spent the past 4 years watching the game at home with my 2 sons and daughter. The place can get loud when needed but it certainly can be better. I don't think we'll need to worry much about the SC game. This will also be my first game in a few years. I can't wait for next Saturday to get here. GO IRISH!!!!!

 

[irishtrinity]

i love the fans on this board

 

[MrIrishCanadian1]

Survey

Survey

I don't know if ND always does this, but I just got an email, one section of which asks:

"Would you like to participate in a survey about in-game football marketing and atmosphere at the ND stadium? The Athletic Department is open to new student ideas for enhancing the game environment and would love to hear from you. Here's the survey."

Is this new, indicating a stronger willingness to change? Or merely some obligatory gesture to make us feel heard?
Anyways, people should fill that out if they want a chance to make a difference.

 

[irishtrinity]

I don't know if ND always does this, but I just got an email, one section of which asks:

"Would you like to participate in a survey about in-game football marketing and atmosphere at the ND stadium? The Athletic Department is open to new student ideas for enhancing the game environment and would love to hear from you. Here's the survey."

Is this new, indicating a stronger willingness to change? Or merely some obligatory gesture to make us feel heard?
Anyways, people should fill that out if they want a chance to make a difference.

I feel they are just trying to make it a a better game expperience for everyone.. i have loved my first 3 games at ND last yr and AF.. i would grade it a 10/10 i'm all about old school football and when you watch a game at ND it's a time warp back to the truth of football... The field /real grass/greatest CFB team ever... thats all i need...

i wouldn't mind more seats Bagpipes/music at breaks or a jumbotron on the opposite side of TD jesus.. I will love ND forever they can do what they want to make it a better place for students/athletes from our visits they have done a wonderful job so far...The campus/buildings/trees are amazing....

 

[NankerPhelge]

So you feel that some bogus attempt at denying and defying weather conditions in northern Indiana would help to sway them into playing football at ND where the winds blow, the temperatures drop and the clouds open? Perhaps any future stadium improvements should include a retractable roof, along with the large video screens, state of the art sound system, artificial turf (complete with garish graphics at midfield, end zones and sidelines) and enough enclosed boxes to house thousands upon thousands of "unacceptable" older fans. How many elevators with wheel chair capacity would be needed?

All biting sarcasm and sardonicism aside, putting lipstick on the pig that South Bend weather can be during football season is not the way to lure prospective players. Truth may be unpleasant at times, but honesty is always the best policy. The weather for the Air Force game was spectacular. It was more likely that it would be 58 degrees and overcast with periodic rain. Recruits are better served with doses of reality when it comes to playing football at Notre Dame and living and studying throughout the bulk of four or five years in Michiana.

Oh, and adding a roof to the stadium would go a long way in ramping up the volume of the crowd.

Sure is good to see you back, ****. I would worry about those enclosed boxes, though. The way some on this board seem to despise older fans, I would be afraid there might be gas inlets in there. I think I'll opt to stay in the open air.

 

[dshans]

I would worry about those enclosed boxes, though. The way some on this board seem to despise older fans, I would be afraid there might be gas inlets in there. I think I'll opt to stay in the open air.

If the gaz du jour is nitrous oxide, sign me up ... I could use a good laugh.

But what's troubling you is the nature of my game.

 

[Ignats]

If you guys want to be really loud then just give away vuvuzelas to every one entering the stadium. Remember the South African World Cup? That'd blow every one away.

My friends and I came up with this idea last year. Apparently there is some NCAA rule against this.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Check out this EDSBS article from 2006. It accurately describes Notre Dame stadium as the Wimbledon of college football. I've copied and pasted the relevant section below for those disinclined to use links.

4. Notre Dame is Wimbledon. That's the best pinpoint accurate summary of what it the general environment at a Notre Dame football game is for an SEC fan. The first thing striking you at a Notre Dame game is the order, the sheer Midwestern, patient, polite order of the whole thing. In contrast, the first thing that strikes you at an SEC game may be the fist of an opposing fan, or perhaps the overwhelming aroma of whiskey off a tottering 55-year old passing you. It's not just a different vibe, or different ethos--it's an entirely different society and way of watching the game. If Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the U.S. Open--where doing the wave, watching a replay on a jumbotron, and hollering like you're being stung by a horde of merciless insects is de rigeur--then Notre Dame is Wimbledon, an intense and mannered environment where tradition rules with only the most obvious concessions to the postmodern football world included.

A Fenway-style manual scoreboard would not be out of place here--in fact, we'll go ahead and suggest that Notre Dame put one in for style points. The retro, logo-free endzones are obvious to television viewers, but a single detail became a microcosm of the Notre Dame experience for us:

Unfinished, splintery, and creaky old wooden planks make up the lower rung of seating, with numbers stenciled on in military font spaced just far enough to allow for the squeezing of cheeks clearly not fed daily on a diet of high-fructose corn syrup. You want Knute Rockne's benches? Well, there they are, brown and unforgiving. It's a no-frills, crystallized vision of antediluvian game-watching that is a bit jarring to those accustomed to videologue game intros and WOO-HOO! FIREWORKS to start the game, but after a few minutes it's hard not to feel a sudden fondness for leather helmets, the flying wedge, and players with long, unpronounceable Slavic names.

The upside is spooky, grey-skied nostalgia and a crowd focused on the game with a Teutonic intensity; the downside is a quiet stadium that, at times, was so quiet we actually heard the coaches yelling on the sidelines. (We were sitting in the south endzone, for some perspective on this.) The student section is as lunatic as any, and the spontaneous spacing of the lofted push-uppers following a touchdown would make a fine mathematics thesis for the inquisitive undergrad, since they did seem perfectly spaced without effort, as if the hive-mind of the student section instantly recognized where a student needed to be hoisted aloft in celebration.
(There's surely an equation that explains this accuracy.)

The epitome of the downside is contained in this image:

Ushers at Notre Dame, you may suck our as$. The red-stater in us, the free-wheeling libertarian who wants you off our land right now, stranger, the bottle-wielding redneck in us wanted to pummel these lost Shriners with the nearest heavy object on sight. Ushers at most other venues we've been to serve less as traffic controllers and more as referees, since grown adults may read the ticket, follow signs, and find their seat without difficulty. Their primary function: kicking the confused, very drunk and confused, and the outright fraudulently misplaced out of the incorrect seat, as well as the occasional call to security when someone decides to take out the frustration of the fourth INT of the day by calling an ISO Smash to a rival fan's face.

These ushers serve as nannies, not only refusing to allow any and all funness to occur outside the student section, but actively quieting fans down and quashing standing. You want to know who Hitler's willing accomplices were? These people. One minute they're telling you to sit down, and the next minute they appear outside of your house asking where your neighbors are. Screw these people in the ear; in our perfect stadium, they're thrown screaming off the upper deck by the angry masses.

Unsurprisingly, our Wimbledon-like atmosphere does not produce an intimidating environment for opposing teams, and ND's home field advantage has suffered.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Do ushers really tell people to sit down? I've never heard of that. (I've never been to an ND game...)

 

[koonja]

Are you kidding me? I'm going to the game this weekend. I plan to stand and cheer the whole time. They can actually make me sit?!?

 

[Chamellion]

Guaranteed not this weekend. Jack Swar asked us to ramp up the noise, so he definitely told the ushers to lay low for this weekend.

 

[irishtrinity]

Do ushers really tell people to sit down? I've never heard of that. (I've never been to an ND game...)

not a the three games i was at.. they were throwing up there hand cheering for the team also...