Stadium Journey Magazine
2015 FBS College Football Stadium Experience Rankings
By Paul Swaney
CUSA
26 Jerry Richardson Stadium - Home of the Charlotte 49ers
One of the best features of Jerry Richardson Stadium may eventually vanish. The stadium has, for lack of a better term, a "low profile", meaning that all of the beauty of the surrounding campus is easily visible throughout the facility. The stadium was built with the idea that it would eventually be expanded, which is a blessing and a curse. The good news is that the expansion would bring more of the large program trappings, but it would also remove the openness and sense of connection to the campus of the existing structure.
48 Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium - Home of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
WKU's alumni base is strong, and the fans are very knowledgeable. There are schools within an hour's drive that would kill for the alumni pride and support that WKU possesses. Big Red is one of the premier mascots in all of college athletics. It's not hyperbole to say Big Red has put WKU in the national conscience. They've always had a history with NCAA basketball diehards, but he's put the school on the national and international map. A perennial nominee for the Capital One Mascot Challenge each year, Big Red gives the school a great identity, although his is still debated across the Ohio Valley. He supposedly embodies the spirit of all the fans in one large red "blot" and does a great job of it.
56 FAU Stadium - Home of the Florida Atlantic Owls
While Florida Atlantic University may not exactly be known for being a top notch FBS football school, the stadium in which they play certainly doesn’t mirror the program’s outward appearance. The Owls have only been bowl eligible on a couple of occasions, and while they have indeed tasted victory in them before (2007 New Orleans Bowl and 2008 Motor City Bowl), most people pass FAU football off as an also-played program. But do not let this second-tier status deter you from venturing to Palm Beach County for a quality afternoon of college football. FAU Stadium is beautiful, clean, impressive, comfortable, and family friendly in all respects while remaining easy to access from major highways.
58 Alamodome - Home of the UTSA Roadrunners
The atmosphere for a Roadrunners game at the Alamodome is unexpectedly electric. Expect to see a full lower bowl with a few fans in the upper deck on the west side. Being in a dome the fan noise is enhanced, but it takes a rowdy crowd to generate noise. On big plays and defensive third downs, you'll find yourself impressed with how loud it can get in the Alamodome.
59). Foreman Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium - Home of the Old Dominion Monarchs (We may be small but mighty)
Selling out every home game during their existence, Old Dominion was in the top ten of attendance in the FCS every year. Even though the stadium went through a major renovation recently, it is still somewhat antiquated and not up to par with most FBS stadiums. Plans are in the works to build a new stadium across campus with modern amenities and a larger capacity, which no doubt will please those that have a hard time getting a ticket to Norfolk’s most popular team.
64.Joan C. Edwards Stadium - Home of the Marshall Thundering Herd
The most impressive entertainment at Joan C. Edwards Stadium is definitely the marching band - the white plumes on their hats contrast beautifully with their green uniforms, and the band does a lot of great formations, including a bison head, spelling out H-E-R-D, and the block "M." There is tons of green to be seen, and lots of tailgating before the game, and not just in front of the stadium, either - tents and fanatics spill out for blocks.
88.M.M. Roberts Stadium - Home of the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
The architecture and setting is what really catches the eye - the sleek athletic center and modern box seats in the end zones almost make you forget that most of the stadium is over 40 years old. The arches built onto the ends of the east and west stands are even carried over into the seating on the south side (which features a curved design with multiple arches). It is also pleasant to look out from the stadium onto the Southern Miss campus, which features plenty of greener
96.Joe Aillet Stadium - Home of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Joe Aillet Stadium installed a $2 million high definition video board and new sound system before the start of the 2009 season. The stands are in dire need of replacing. Apart from the season ticket holders' chairback seats, fans can expect a run-of-the-mill experience as far as seats go at college football stadiums. Overall, the stadium is a fine place to watch a college football game on a sunny, fall afternoon in north Louisiana.
103.Johnny 'Red' Floyd Stadium - Home of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
The future looks bright for the Blue Raiders, and they certainly have the stadium to generate a great home-field advantage if fans start showing a better turnout. More student support is needed to get the stadium closer to selling out, and notching up a few wins to start the conference schedule should help with that.
104.Apogee Stadium - Home of the North Texas Mean Green
This shiny new place is the first stadium in college football to achieve LEED Platinum status for its environmentally friendly amenities. "The Hill" is on the east side of the stadium at the top of, well, the hill. Vendors are selling food and drink, school fraternities have their tailgate parties set up complete with decorated tents and flags, the marching band is playing, local radio stations have their broadcasts going and it is a fun place to be prior to the game itself.
110.Sun Bowl Stadium - Home of the UTEP Miners
Sun Bowl Stadium currently holds 51,500, but rarely fills up, given the Miners' on-field performance. It does have some unique features, including being able to see across the border into Mexico from inside the stadium
118.FI Stadium - Home of the Florida International Panthers
Fans show up more because they may have friends who go to FIU and they want to hang out instead of seeing D-I football on the field. When the fans show up, FIU football can be exciting and energetic. Unfortunately, as with most sports teams in South Florida, they don’t show up, especially when the team only wins a handful of games and isn’t bowl eligible on a yearly basis.
127.Rice Stadium - Home of the Rice Owls
Rice Stadium was built in the heyday of Owls football, when the team regularly competed for and won the Southwest Conference championship (four titles in 12 years). That was before the NFL came to town, and the marquee games started being played across town. Today, football games at Rice are not very well attended, even in the best of years, so attending a game here is not as exciting as it once was. As a result, there is little interest in keeping the stadium up to date, since there aren’t enough fans who care.
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