Comments on: Toughest Venues: #9 Memorial Stadium http://nittanywhiteout.com/2008/05/18/toughest-venues-9-memorial-stadium/ Penn State Nittany Lion Blog Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:55:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Silentpugio http://nittanywhiteout.com/2008/05/18/toughest-venues-9-memorial-stadium/comment-page-1/#comment-880 Silentpugio Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:03:37 +0000 http://nittanywhiteout.com/?p=250#comment-880 I think this is a somewhat fair write-up. I will admit as an Illini fan that we will never have the football revenue of the Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State 100,000 seat behemoths. However, to back up Illini Pete the attendance argument was factually flawed. The capacity at Memorial Stadium last season was around 55,000, so while earlier years were even sadder when we could have had 70,000 in the place, last year attendance was strong. It will only get better this year. There is a strong feeling of excitement that existed even before the Rose Bowl season that is just growing. The south endzone seats sold out in less than a day, the student section is sold out, and they are predicting at least 5 sellouts this year. In reality the reason Memorial Stadium gets no respect from "Tough Venue" lists has nothing to do with the stadium (which after the renovations will be in the upper tier of Big Ten Venues again), but has far more to do with the garbage team that was out on the field for most of the last 17 years. I think this is a somewhat fair write-up. I will admit as an Illini fan that we will never have the football revenue of the Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State 100,000 seat behemoths. However, to back up Illini Pete the attendance argument was factually flawed.

The capacity at Memorial Stadium last season was around 55,000, so while earlier years were even sadder when we could have had 70,000 in the place, last year attendance was strong. It will only get better this year. There is a strong feeling of excitement that existed even before the Rose Bowl season that is just growing. The south endzone seats sold out in less than a day, the student section is sold out, and they are predicting at least 5 sellouts this year.

In reality the reason Memorial Stadium gets no respect from “Tough Venue” lists has nothing to do with the stadium (which after the renovations will be in the upper tier of Big Ten Venues again), but has far more to do with the garbage team that was out on the field for most of the last 17 years.

]]> By: Illini Pete http://nittanywhiteout.com/2008/05/18/toughest-venues-9-memorial-stadium/comment-page-1/#comment-668 Illini Pete Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:25 +0000 http://nittanywhiteout.com/?p=250#comment-668 A pretty fair write-up, but you need to note that Memorial Staidum's capacity during the 2007 season was reduced by about 20,000 seats due to ongoing stadium renovations. Consequently, the 2007 Rose Bowl season was actually close to a sell out (about 97%, I believe), with most of the Big Ten games being actual sell outs. This season will be a better showcase for whether Illinois fans will support a rising football program. I'm betting that Memorial Stadium will be moving up the list of toughest venues in coming years. A pretty fair write-up, but you need to note that Memorial Staidum’s capacity during the 2007 season was reduced by about 20,000 seats due to ongoing stadium renovations. Consequently, the 2007 Rose Bowl season was actually close to a sell out (about 97%, I believe), with most of the Big Ten games being actual sell outs. This season will be a better showcase for whether Illinois fans will support a rising football program. I’m betting that Memorial Stadium will be moving up the list of toughest venues in coming years.

]]> By: formerlyanonymous http://nittanywhiteout.com/2008/05/18/toughest-venues-9-memorial-stadium/comment-page-1/#comment-640 formerlyanonymous Mon, 19 May 2008 03:52:55 +0000 http://nittanywhiteout.com/?p=250#comment-640 I'm interested to see how Minnesota's will be in 2 years. Between the excitement their building around a team that awful, and the outdoor games in late November, it could become rather big. I’m interested to see how Minnesota’s will be in 2 years. Between the excitement their building around a team that awful, and the outdoor games in late November, it could become rather big.

]]> By: SpartanDan http://nittanywhiteout.com/2008/05/18/toughest-venues-9-memorial-stadium/comment-page-1/#comment-638 SpartanDan Sun, 18 May 2008 23:04:21 +0000 http://nittanywhiteout.com/?p=250#comment-638 I have to agree with Anon - Minnesota should probably be #10 on the list. The Dome can get loud if the Badgers are in town, but that's about it. It's off campus, almost never sold out, and a few years back (I believe it was the year OSU won the BCS title game), Iowa fans managed to get down on the field after the finale and take one of the goalposts. On the road. You'd never get away with that anywhere else, not even at Northwestern. I have to agree with Anon – Minnesota should probably be #10 on the list. The Dome can get loud if the Badgers are in town, but that’s about it. It’s off campus, almost never sold out, and a few years back (I believe it was the year OSU won the BCS title game), Iowa fans managed to get down on the field after the finale and take one of the goalposts. On the road. You’d never get away with that anywhere else, not even at Northwestern.

]]> By: admin http://nittanywhiteout.com/2008/05/18/toughest-venues-9-memorial-stadium/comment-page-1/#comment-636 admin Sun, 18 May 2008 18:15:23 +0000 http://nittanywhiteout.com/?p=250#comment-636 Yes, but Minnesota actually starts rocking at times because of their domed venue. But I agree, if we were rating them on facilities, amenities, and building design, the Hump Dump as I've heard someone call it would fall in last place. Yes, but Minnesota actually starts rocking at times because of their domed venue. But I agree, if we were rating them on facilities, amenities, and building design, the Hump Dump as I’ve heard someone call it would fall in last place.

]]> By: Anonymous http://nittanywhiteout.com/2008/05/18/toughest-venues-9-memorial-stadium/comment-page-1/#comment-635 Anonymous Sun, 18 May 2008 18:00:33 +0000 http://nittanywhiteout.com/?p=250#comment-635 Illinois above Minnesota was a shocker. The Metrodome is an absolute mockery of a college football venue. Illinois above Minnesota was a shocker. The Metrodome is an absolute mockery of a college football venue.

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