Stadium Report Card: Doak Campbell Stadium

Team: Florida State Seminoles Footbal
Location: Tallahasseee, FL
League: Atlantic Coast Conference
Built: 1950(renovated a bunch)
Capacity: 82,300
My event: Regular Season Game vs Murray State

1. Outdoor Design

The stadium is massive. The entire outside is made with brick, with different sections on each endzone where the Athletic Department, movie department and financial aid all are. But as far as sports looks, it's a classic old intimidating stadium  9/10

2. Indoor Design

The inside is massive. Normally when you go inside a stadium, it seems more cozy and smaller than you would thing. The Doak is gigantic. A huge bowl with tall press boxes. The student section is in the north, with the band in the south. 8/10

3. Prices

Students get in free, but to bring a guest is 40 bucks. Then, for bigger games like Clemson coming up, it's more. I gave this a 5, just because I know it's worse in other places, but it's premier college football. 5/10

4. Food

Typical stadium food. They had stuff set up, like ChickFilA, but nothing crazy. 6/10

5. Staff

The staff is good! they get you in as fast as they can, and are pretty lenient. There's no regulation where students can sit, but they keep a watchful eye.  7/10

6. Cleanliness

Very clean. The only things I see are left from people during the game. 7/10

7. Parking

They have a few big lots and parking garages near the stadium, but really, more people end up going than the available spots. I walk to the stadium, which is about a mile, but parking is generally bad up here to begin with. 6/10

8. Atmosphere

I've been to all sorts of games. But I can honestly say the college football atmosphere here is the best ever. Nothing is like looking around, and seeing 80,000 people do the tomahawk chop. The constant yelling, and Chief Osceola planting the flaming spear in the ground make this the best. 10/10

9. Playing Surface

It is always well kept! Even when the horse goes, people are there to pick up. The field art is great too. 8/10

10. Scoreboard

Just a small scoreboard that gets the job done on the north endzone. Not bad. 7/10

So that's a 73! The parking and prices brought it down the most, but I love going here. I'm gonna go to the Wake game tomorrow. Then in a few weeks, my dad and I are going to Raleigh when FSU plays NC State. 

Amon G Carter Stadium

Original Post

TCU opens the 2012 season against Grambling State on Sept. 8 2012, in the first game at Amon G. Carter Stadium after its $164 million rebuild. 

 Built in 1930, Amon G. Carter Stadium has not undergone a major renovation since 1956. The renovation will allow TCU to enhance the game day experience for all fans by improving accessibility and crowd flow, enhancing seating to provide better views of the field, and significantly improving concession stands, elevators, restrooms and lighting. Tours will be available to the public from 1:30 - 3 p.m. on Sept. 6. 

 The re-developed Amon G. Carter Stadium will feature suites, club seats and improved fan amenities in many areas – new and more comfortable seating, wider concourses, new and improved restrooms and concession areas, handicap accessible accommodations, elevators and escalators and new lighting. Additionally, the stadium will feature a new press box. 

 Renovations began on the west side and north end zone following the 2010 season. Renovations for the east side began following the 2011 season and were completed in time for the opening game.

 This year marks TCU’s 82nd season playing at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The 2012 season is also TCU’s inaugural season in the Big 12 conference.

More pictures here

TCU article

60 million dollar HS stadium

Ever wonder what a 60 million dollar high school football stadium looks like? Well you can see it above. This is the deadspin article.

 You're looking at a recent photo of Eagle Stadium, in Allen, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas. The stadium, three years in the works, will seat 18,000 when it opens later this month. It's got two luxury suites, a pro-quality press box, a 3,400-square-foot HD video scoreboard—and tickets will be just $10 a game for the all-bleacher seating. This is Texas football.

 According to Fox Sports Southwest, Eagle Stadium is only the fifth-largest high school field in the state, though that includes an MLS arena, two 1930s WPA projects, and Memorial Stadium in Mesquite, which is shared by five schools. So actual single-purpose prep stadiums don't get any bigger or nicer than this one.

 The old 14,000-seater apparently wasn't big enough anymore, which is mind-boggling to someone whose 3,000-student high school didn't even have a home field. Allen faced some criticism as the stadium was built in the midst of shrinking funding and an education budget shortfall. But the cash came straight from residents, in the form of a 2009 bond measure that passed with 63 percent—and also included funding for a performing arts center.

More pictures

UEFA Euro 2012 Stadiums

Hey guys, sorry for not posting ever, I just haven't had anything good to post in all honesty. I have a few posts lined up so here!

You may or may not know the "second" biggest soccer tournament in the world is going on in Poland and Ukraine. The European championship has 16 of the best teams in Europe the world playing in a tournament to decide the best team on the continent. The games have to be played some where!

National Stadium | Warsaw, Poland

This stadium was built specifically for the tournament, and be the new national stadium in the Polish capital. The stadium can hold 56,070 people. It will host 3 Group A matches(including the opening, a quarterfinal, and semifinal match.

 PGE Arena | Gdansk, Poland

Another stadium built specifically for the tournament, and can hold 31,150 people. 3 Group C matches, and 1 quarterfinal match will be hosted there.

Municipal Stadium | Wroclaw, Poland

Another stadium built specifically for the tournament, and can hold 40k people. 3 matches from Group A will be played here.

Municipal Stadium | Poznan, Poland

This stadium was reconstructed, after being built in 1968, and is the home ground to Lech Poznan in the Ekstraklasa soccer league in Poland. It can hold 39,550 and will host 3 matches from group C.

Olympic Stadium | Kiev, Ukraine

The stadium that will host the final match in the Ukrainian capital was reconstructed  completely, and was originally built in 1923. The capacity is 64,640 and will host 3 matches in group D, 1 quarterfinal match, and the final.

Donbass Arena | Donetsk, Ukraine

Another new stadium for the tournament will host 3 matches in group D, a quarter and semi final. 49,400 people can fit inside the stadium. The Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk will call the ground home, replacing Shakhtar Stadium, which was built in 1936.

Metalist Stadium | Kharkiv, Ukraine

A reconstructed stadium close to the Russian border, that will host 37,750 people and 3 Group B matches. It was recently renovated and first constructed in 1926.  The stadium was  named Dzerzhynets Stadium, after a head of soviet security until being renamed in 1967.

Arena Lviv | Lviv, Ukraine

The smallest arena was built specifically for the tournament. It can hold 32,990 people, and teams playing in group B. FC Karpaty Lviv will call this their home for years to come

Hope you liked this post, and enjoy the soccer!

BBVA Compass Stadium

 After a 2 month road trip, the Dynamo played their first home game at the new BBVA Compass Stadium. Just near the Astros' ballpark, the new downtown stadium seats 22k. Populous designed this stadium, and it cost them 95 million dollars. This is just another soccer specific stadium in the MLS, and the increasing size is worth noting. Off the top of my head, I think only New England, DC, and Seattle play in stadiums not built for soccer usage.

It also looks really cool from the outside!

Astrodome Down

The "Eighth Wonder of the World" is looking pretty bad these days. The first domed stadium in the world has been without a team since 1999, and it's really been on the decline. Built in 1965, it was the first stadium in the world with a roof. With no natural sunlight, the invention of astroturf also came along. This was really the first big money stadium, a Cowboy Stadium of it's day. The scoreboard cost a million dollars, and 35 million overall. The thing is, to tear it down would cost almost 100 million dollars. So the city of Houston would rather keep the eyesore open. 

All of Houston's teams have new buildings. The dome hosted the Astros and Oilers from 1965 until both teams moved in their own way. The Astros, Texans, and Rockets opened new digs in 2000, 2002, and 2003 respectively. The Houston Cougars and Dynamo played at the Cougars' Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. But the Dynamo built their new BBVA Stadium for this year, and the Cougars plan on razing Robertson Stadium, and build a new stadium in it's place.

The last time the Astrodome was really used was for Hurricane Katrina victims. But it looks like a tornado went through the dome. Here are some more sad pictures of the old dome.

http://www.chron.com/news/gallery/Astrodome-tour-41244/photo-2774936.php.

Vikings Stadium news

As you know, the Vikings are currently stuck in one of the worst stadiums in America. The long stadium drama may have just had a resolution. Minnesota's governor Mark Dayton has announced that an agreement was reached to build a new stadium on the site of the Metrodome. The 975 million dollar plan would be modeled after Lucas Oil Stadium, which you can see from the above picture.

If they build it on the spot the dome is now, they would have to play at TCF Bank Stadium, on the campus of Minnesota during the final year of construction.

Atleast they have their plan together! They were a team with a good chance to move to LA, or have a stadium not even in the Twin Cities(A surrounding suburb). Hopefully someone down here can do figure it out for the Rays.

New Impact Stadium

So Montreal is getting their MLS team this summer. Here is their stadium before

And here is what it will eventually look like this season!

The team will expand Stade Saputo from 13,034 seats, to 20,341, by building large stands that wrap around 3 sides of the field. As you can see from the pictures above, one side will remain the same, with the 17 million dollar renovations taking place. 

The Impact are going to be the only tennant. The stadium is too small for the CFL's standards, so that rules out the Alouettes. They'll remain in the 25k seat Molson Stadium that was built in 1925. 

Here are some pictures of the building process, and renderings on Stadium Porn.

Tulane's Stadium Proposal

Tulane is in the process of raising money for a new on-campus football stadium. The stadium will seat 30,000 fans. It will be the first on campus stadium since the mid 70s, when was used for not just Tulane, but the Saints and  Super Bowl 4 & 6.

Some things I noticed from the renderings, they have a party deck in one of the corners, which is unique. There is also a scoreboard in a corner of the endzone. The whole stadium is completely enclosed, and sort of is like a soccer specific stadium. The concourses empty at field level, and the fans have to climb up. 

I think it will be a nice stadium, and get the team out of the Superdome. If you want to read up on the stadium, here is the official website! http://www.tulanestadium.com/

Future Report Cards

Last week, I was accepted into Florida State University, so naturally, the best part will be posting stadium report cards for you all. Here are just the major facilities that will soon have a post about them.

Doak Campbell Stadium

 Dick Howser Stadium

 Donald L. Tucker Center(Basketball)

National Stadium: Warsaw

 Poland's new National Soccer Stadium is almost done! The opening game of Euro 2012 will take place at Warsaw’s new 58,000 capacity National Stadium, now almost completed. It will also host two other group matches, a quarter-final and a semi-final.

 The outdoors is paneling that make the Poland flag. Which is really nice for the new National Stadium. Even though it's very similar to the new major stadiums popping up in Europe, and the renovations at BC Place stadium in Vancouver

There are some additional pictures over at Stadium Porn, which you should look through!

BBVA Compass Stadium

Major League Soccer sources told Houston’s FOX 26 Sports the financial institution, BBVA Compass, has acquired the naming rights to the Houston Dynamo’s new downtown soccer-specific stadium. League sources also confirmed the Dynamo’s naming rights deal with BBVA Compass is for 10 years and is worth $20 million.

The Dynamo’s stadium, is scheduled to open on May 12, 2012 when the Dynamo play their first home game of the upcoming season.

Since their move from San Jose, the Dynamo have been playing at  the Houston Cougars' football stadium. But following everybody else, they got the soccer specific stadium they've been dreaming of. They have one of the best fans in the MLS, and they will be very great full.

Report Card-less Venues

I'm up in Greensboro, NC visiting family for the holidays. My dad and I were driving around downtown and I wanted to go by the Greensboro Coliseum, because I'm a stadium nerd. He last lived up here in 1975, when he was at NC State, so he hasn't been to some newer stadiums. I asked him, "Have you ever been to a game there?" He told me he would go to basketball and hockey games when he lived here, and it sat about 8,000. Then I remembered, I've been to a game there! Obviously, it was a long ass time ago, so I can't remember much, but here are some stadiums that I haven't been since I've been really into stadiums.

Greensboro Coliseum- Greensboro Prowlers-Roanoke Steam 

 Victory Field x2- Indianapolis Indians- Rochester/Toledo

 Germain Arena- College Hockey Tournament/ BC-Cornell

Homestead-Miami Speedway- 2003 Ford 400

Daytona International Speedway x2- Daytona 500 qualifying, Pepsi 400 qualifying

 Capital City Stadium- Columbia Blowfish-Some team

I wish I could remember these enough to report! But those are the ones I've been to. I went to Wrigley one time, after 5th grade, but I didn't think I'd post it here because Bmac did a report card for us. 

New Blue Bombers Stadium

In honor of the Grey Cup today, I will make some posts about the new era in CFL stadiums!

Tonight's game is at the renovated BC Place, which hosted it's first game in September. It is the first step into making the CFL more modern. The BC Lions are playing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, which are getting a new stadium next season.

I've had my eyes on this for a while, because they've had this plan for a few years. However they revised the plans, and dropped the arches. The stadium of 34k will be like a miniature version of a stadium like LP field or Raymond James. Upper decks on the sidelines, with a lower bowl on the endzone.

There was an option to view a virtual stadium on their website, but it isn't working now. They do have this demo video, which shows it pretty good, minus the overhangs.


The Bombers are one of the teams with a stadium well overdue to be replaced. Built in 1957, Canad Inns Stadium is part of the stadium trend being phased out for the better.

Later tonight, I will post about the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' situation.

New Baylor Plans?

A few weeks ago, Baylor announced the plans of building a new on-campus state of the art football stadium. The stadium will replace Floyd Casey Stadium. Floyd Casey is off campus, and one of the smaller ones in the Big 12 at 50,000 seats. This whole thing was being led by head coach Art Briles, who wants the hot Bears to have an on campus stadium so their students can be closer to games.

A few things. The open ended stadium will have a view of the river, and campus. There will be a pedestrian bridge from Baylor, across the river to land that the University purchased from the city of Waco. Pedestrian bridges are great, any Titans fans would know. You park once at a major location(ie Baylor, Nashville), and walk to the stadium. After the game, you walk back, without having to move your car.

Lastly, it will be roof, which very few teams have. But some shade in September in the middle of Texas isn't a bad thing.

Populous does the best work on stadiums, no denying that.

Cal Bears Stadium

For the 2011 season, the Cal Bears have been playing at the Giants' AT&T Park. The reason for this is, one, they're renovating their own stadium. And two, it is the only professional stadium not currently in use. Since 1923, Memorial Stadium hasn't been renovated. It's stood the same, for nearly 90 years. They finally decided to make minor updates and turn this...

Into this.

The first part of the renovation was to redo the student facilities and locker rooms. Next, they redid both endzones, and pressbox side. The west side was completely demolished, except for the outer wall and redone. Also, they put expansion joints on earthquake safe blocks because in 1923, they built the stadium on a fault line... But it's all good and it's a nice renovation to one of those old Pac 10 stadiums you see in California.

#HailState

Who likes twitter? Mississippi State does. In an attempt to get a trending topic, they put #HailState in the endzone, hashtag and all. Anyway to draw attention between the match up between the 5-6 Bulldogs and the 2-9 Rebels. The nameplates will also have HailState on them. No word on hashtags for that one.

Here's my personal twitter if you want it.
https://twitter.com/#!/MichaelDanger94

2005 New Orleans Saints

So I was on the Chris Creamer boards, looking at the "Best football fields" thread. This guy posted some oddities at LSU's Tiger Stadium. One of them, was this gem of the New Orleans Saints playing there after Hurricane Katrina.

I remember they did this. One of the 4 games they played there was against the Bucs. I remember, actually we were driving home somewhere going through St. Pete on the highway that passes the Trop. The announcer said  something to the effect of, "If anyone wants to come watch a game, there are a lot of seats left at Tiger Stadium." Obviously the stadium wouldn't be to capacity, and just now I'm seeing a picture of it. Well, in that game they're either playing Carolina or Miami. You can't make out details but it's an all light uniform set, and Chicago and the Bucs wear navy and pewter.

The team had 3 regular season home stadiums. The hurricane came the week after a preseason game at the Superdome vs the Ravens. But still recovering, in week 2 they played the Giants at the Meadowlands. Week 4 and 6, they played Buffalo and Atlanta at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The next 4 home games were at Tiger Stadium, then they rounded the season out back in San Antonio against Detroit.

Then they fixed the Superdome, and it still looks like a dump.

But there is your history lesson everybody!

Mini Jerry World

Remember the Super Bowl?

I'm not sure if this is awesome, or just really really sad, but this guy made a New Cowboy Stadium in his living room. COMPLETE WITH VIDEO SCREENS. I thought my stadi-bros would like this.

BC Place for the Whitecaps

One little update on the last post, the Whitecaps tarped off the upper deck. I had to find this out after I called bullshit the picture below.

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011/10/vancouvers-bell-pitch-downtown-featured-fifa-12 The Whitecaps are saying that the new BC Place will be on Fifa 12. I saw it, and figured they had a generic stadium and called it BC Place because the upperdeck and windows weren't there. Turns out it's legit, and you can now play there on Fifa 12, the only MLS stadium in the game.