Great city for the championship but count me in as entirely unimpressed with Toyota Stadium. They wouldn't even put the score/time on the ribbon boards.The south end zone was obviously a mess with the construction of the Hall of Fame museum. But the north end zone was also a mess. Lines for concessions were ridiculous. Sight lines were decent but not great. They are going to have a huge issue if NDSU and JMU meet in a National Championship. Way too small for those fan bases. But it's a dilemma because there are a lot of fan bases that can't travel and the place would be empty. Overall, Frisco and the surrounding area is a great spot for the game and the folks in the area take pride in hosting. However, Bridgeforth Stadium makes Toyota Stadium look like a practice facility.

Agree, RU vs Charleston Southern = 8k fans. How stupid was it to have those event staff folk holding the rope up as we came out of the stands. I asked them "why?" and they told me they were simply doing as instructed.

Awesome atmosphere with about 12,000 other Dukes. I am glad I went and it's been a blast. I hope we keep coming back and build our own football dynasty.

I would recommend any and every fan that can come, do so. There are hotels everywhere throughout the DFW area and that allows them to be more reasonably priced. Restaurant options everywhere. Plenty of things to do outside of the game. Two airports.

The stadium was nice, but the renovation area was an eye sore. We didn't seem to need the extra seats though. I hope more Dukes come in the future.

I still wish it were in Chattanooga just due to proximity, but Frisco isn't a bad alternative. My only dislikes were the fact that almost every highway is a toll road (decently high tolls too, $.50-$2 every 5-10 miles it seems) and it was cold (nothing we could do about that in january. the whole country was cold).

(01-08-2017 10:20 PM)Potomac Wrote:  Awesome atmosphere with about 12,000 other Dukes. I am glad I went and it's been a blast. I hope we keep coming back and build our own football dynasty.

I would recommend any and every fan that can come, do so. There are hotels everywhere throughout the DFW area and that allows them to be more reasonably priced. Restaurant options everywhere. Plenty of things to do outside of the game. Two airports.

The stadium was nice, but the renovation area was an eye sore. We didn't seem to need the extra seats though. I hope more Dukes come in the future.

I still wish it were in Chattanooga just due to proximity, but Frisco isn't a bad alternative. My only dislikes were the fact that almost every highway is a toll road (decently high tolls too, $.50-$2 every 5-10 miles it seems) and it was cold (nothing we could do about that in january. the whole country was cold).

Personally, I think those tolls are pretty cheap when I was dropping 6.00 each way to commute on the Toll Road in NOVA

(01-08-2017 08:19 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  Incredible experience...met so many great people...game was friggin' cold but after halftime it seemed much better (still low 30's, but that's quite the improvement from 20). I thought the crowd was really loud, especially when YSU had the ball. So...much...purple!! I never hit Scruffies...hung out Friday and Saturday nights at Tight Ends which was a block away from my hotel. Not a bad place for a dude to have some beers and watch some games (among other things -ahem-).

How was Tight Ends? I heard that was a popular hang out for Bison fans but they were much less busy this year.

The FCS championship will remain in Frisco through at least 2020. The construction is to be completed the end of 2017.

I think it was unacceptable for Toyota Stadium to still host this game while in the middle of a renovation and take away 4-5k seats. That should void the contract for at least this year and the NCAA should've found an alternative, larger venue.

If JMU and NDSU ever met in the title game, we would need a 40,000 seat stadium to fit both of our fan bases. A stadium that only holds half of the demand level from your largest fan bases is unacceptable.

Frisco is exactly the kind of place you'd want to have host a game like this. Near a major airport with lots of surrounding hotels, restaurants, bars, and other attractions. However, I agree that the stadium is a disappointment. To add to what has been said, as it was built for soccer, the seats are further away from the field than a natural football stadium.

We just got home @ 9pm have not had a chance to download my pics....not only of our favorite cheerleader but some "Settings" once downloaded I will provide links...maybe tomorrow or tuesday, Sorry folks.. Tired
We didnt fly, We drove down thurs/fri and back sat/sun ... lemme tell you Friday morning was an adventure from jackson to texarkana winter wx and they cant drive nor take care of roads, bridges were sheets of ice...and they had about maybe and 1"
got in friday evening. had some drinks, got some BBQ and met the cheerleaders @ galleria and did a little shopping with the Mrs.
Saturday GOT UP FOR GAMEDAY and it was on!.
wished I had gotten a pic of the tailgating group in front of us with portable rental BAR! lol

Lets just say! It was a blast and glad we made the trip!

I have one HUGE SHOUT OUT to The Schorrs and those folks sitting above them in sec 202 rows 3-4-5 and two gentleman one from richmond who was sec 203 rows 5 on the end! (wished I had remembered his name -alum of 87 I believe from richmond) thanks for having Us squatters! our comp tix were over on sec 132 row 3....Couldnt have enjoyed the game more as close to our favorite cheerleader as any time before and with a rootin crowd!

Frisco was great. Our fan base was great. The location was great. Parking/Tailgating and access to pre/post game restaurants was great.

But I'll echo that I did not have a good experience with Toyota Stadium. Concessions were few, bathroom situation was terrible, video boards were barely viewable, and the end zones looked horrible. I know "looks" shouldn't be a big deal but this is the national championship and I am disappointed the NCAA didn't put more effort in putting its best foot forward.

The construction endzone had a giant "Future Home of Soccer Hall of Fame" which looked bad on TV...made us look small time. They should have wrapped that like they had the rest of the stadium walls. Then put one of those giant seat cover vinyl signs that they use to cover up entire sections of stadiums where they don't use all the seats. The area where the band was just looked like some abandoned warehouse. Perception is reality and if we are trying to show the sports world what FCS playoff football is all about, we need to put our best foot forward. Shame on the NCAA.

Overall, the experience was a 9 out of 10 but this game deserves better than what Toyota Stadium provided. Other than that, the whole weekend was an A+ experience with little to complain about.

Until the Bison made it in 2011 the FCS Championship game had not sold out a neutral site. A 20k seat stadium would normally be more than enough seats when outside of a handful of a couple teams are playing. These games are awarded years in advance so they have no way of knowing what to expect from a crowd standpoint. 20k seems like a good size to bank on. If you commit to a 40k seat stadium and Villanova plays EWU with 10k fans it will look horrible.

I've been to soccer games at Toyota Stadium, and it a nice venue. Every seat is a good seat and it's easy to get in and out. I didn't use the restrooms or concessions so I can't speak to that. I don't rank a stadium based on the video board because that's not why I'm there. As long as I can see the score, down and distance I'm good.

If you want another city to host, contact their local sports authority and tell them to submit a bid. I'm guessing this isn't really high on their lists so there probably aren't a ton of submissions. The NCAA can only pick from those locations and then rely heavily on the local organizing committees to put everything together.

(01-08-2017 10:27 PM)DukesOnARoll Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 08:19 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  Incredible experience...met so many great people...game was friggin' cold but after halftime it seemed much better (still low 30's, but that's quite the improvement from 20). I thought the crowd was really loud, especially when YSU had the ball. So...much...purple!! I never hit Scruffies...hung out Friday and Saturday nights at Tight Ends which was a block away from my hotel. Not a bad place for a dude to have some beers and watch some games (among other things -ahem-).

How was Tight Ends? I heard that was a popular hang out for Bison fans but they were much less busy this year.

After visiting both on Thur night, Wild Pitch was better than Tight Ends IMHO. Those I was with agreed hands down.

I was sh¡tfaced the whole time I was there, so my memory is a little hazy. But I can sum it up as such: It was cold, it was sunny, it was perfect.

Toyota Stadium blows, as does D'town Dallas. Frisco/Plano/Legacy was nice in the sort of everything is new, clean and neat, but it did kind of lack a soul in the way Ashburn or Short Pump do.

My favorite thing from this game aside from winning was that from my vantage every fan stood the entire game. WTF we can't do that at BFS is beyond me, but we were all into it, and it was amazing!

(01-08-2017 10:20 PM)Potomac Wrote:  Awesome atmosphere with about 12,000 other Dukes. I am glad I went and it's been a blast. I hope we keep coming back and build our own football dynasty.

I would recommend any and every fan that can come, do so. There are hotels everywhere throughout the DFW area and that allows them to be more reasonably priced. Restaurant options everywhere. Plenty of things to do outside of the game. Two airports.

The stadium was nice, but the renovation area was an eye sore. We didn't seem to need the extra seats though. I hope more Dukes come in the future.

I still wish it were in Chattanooga just due to proximity, but Frisco isn't a bad alternative. My only dislikes were the fact that almost every highway is a toll road (decently high tolls too, $.50-$2 every 5-10 miles it seems) and it was cold (nothing we could do about that in january. the whole country was cold).

Prior reports had JMU expecting up to 10K, and I'd say that's about that they had. The attendance was given at 14,423. Id say that was about 10k JMU, about 3k YSU & about 1k+ Bison, locals, and other non afilliated.

(01-08-2017 10:42 PM)Potomac Wrote:  I think it was unacceptable for Toyota Stadium to still host this game while in the middle of a renovation and take away 4-5k seats. That should void the contract for at least this year and the NCAA should've found an alternative, larger venue.

If JMU and NDSU ever met in the title game, we would need a 40,000 seat stadium to fit both of our fan bases. A stadium that only holds half of the demand level from your largest fan bases is unacceptable.

Agreed Toyota Stadium shoudn't have been allowed to host in the middle of renovations. They should be contractually recquired to maintain their full capacity while hosting. According to articles last year, 4k seats of 20.5k were unavailable due to construction (which would mean 16.5k capacity). The communications manager for the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, was quoted by the YSU paper after the semis saying on Jan. 7 Toyota Stadium should seat “about 18,000.”...." The RTD article the day before the game said 15.5k. Maybe the 18k jncluded SRO that never sold.

I know some Bison fans will say they brought 20k, but its not like they were nearly 100% of the 20.5k stadium. The 5 seasons NDSU has played it looked like NDSU had 15-18k fans (SHSU 2 times and ILSU might have used their allottments, TU not even close).

JMU & NDSU played in the finals will need a bigger stadium. 30k+ would do it. 40k you would have a lot of empty seats.

(01-09-2017 12:52 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 10:42 PM)Potomac Wrote:  I think it was unacceptable for Toyota Stadium to still host this game while in the middle of a renovation and take away 4-5k seats. That should void the contract for at least this year and the NCAA should've found an alternative, larger venue.

If JMU and NDSU ever met in the title game, we would need a 40,000 seat stadium to fit both of our fan bases. A stadium that only holds half of the demand level from your largest fan bases is unacceptable.

Agreed Toyota Stadium shoudn't have been allowed to host in the middle of renovations. They should be contractually recquired to maintain their full capacity while hosting. According to articles last year, 4k seats of 20.5k were unavailable due to construction (which would mean 16.5k capacity). The communications manager for the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, was quoted by the YSU paper after the semis saying on Jan. 7 Toyota Stadium should seat “about 18,000.”...." The RTD article the day before the game said 15.5k. Maybe the 18k jncluded SRO that never sold.

I know some Bison fans will say they brought 20k, but its not like they were nearly 100% of the 20.5k stadium. The 5 seasons NDSU has played it looked like NDSU had 15-18k fans (SHSU 2 times and ILSU might have used their allottments, TU not even close).

JMU & NDSU played in the finals will need a bigger stadium. 30k+ would do it. 40k you would have a lot of empty seats.

We were fortunate to have played NDSU when we did this year. If we met them in the 'Ship we would have only had 4k seats. A local fan told me the seats sold out (to the bison) inside of 5 minutes after they went on sale.

It would be wise for JMU fans to jump on as many seats as we can when they go on sale in August. Next year I think it is likely we end up on the opposite side of the bracket.

I'll defend Toyota Stadium. It sucked to lose the seats this year and the construction was an eyesore, but I'll look past it as a one time enhancement. I liked the design of the two video boards and the little sections above them. Not a single fan had greater than a 5 minute walk to get in the gates. I was in 103, about the 15 yard line and it had a great viewing lines. The seats were elevated and pushed back from the field just enough so that I could easily see over the team in the 5th row but still felt close to the field. I entered the gates three times as fast as I would have entered BFS despite it being twice as many people. The spacing between seats (seats, not bleachers) rows was perfect. Field was in great shape. I didn't visit concessions but I can forgive them running out of beer on one side with this being the first year AND not knowing about the JMU fans.

Anybody that skipped Hutchins BBQ made a terrible mistake. Best brisket I have ever eaten. Ribs were good too. Prices were great. Speaking of prices, it was so nice to spend back to back weekends in Pittsburgh then Frisco. My bar tab this weekend in DC will snap me back to reality. Multiple bars/restaurants in Frisco area had $4 craft beers. The city had given all the hotel staffs in the area national championship shirts and decorations to put in the lobbies which was a nice touch. In-N-Out is still the best burger/milkshake combo you can get for less than $6.

(01-09-2017 12:39 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  Frisco/Plano/Legacy was nice in the sort of everything is new, clean and neat, but it did kind of lack a soul in the way Ashburn or Short Pump do.

This sums up DFW as I grew up there. Have some family in Frisco so we enjoyed another National Title.

(01-09-2017 12:44 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Prior reports had JMU expecting up to 10K, and I'd say that's about that they had. The attendance was given at 14,423. Id say that was about 10k JMU, about 3k YSU & about 1k+ Bison, locals, and other non afilliated.

I knew you wouldn't be able to lay off of chiming in with your opinion. Could you give it a rest, maybe just once?

(01-08-2017 11:34 PM)DukesOnARoll Wrote:  Until the Bison made it in 2011 the FCS Championship game had not sold out a neutral site. A 20k seat stadium would normally be more than enough seats when outside of a handful of a couple teams are playing. These games are awarded years in advance so they have no way of knowing what to expect from a crowd standpoint. 20k seems like a good size to bank on. If you commit to a 40k seat stadium and Villanova plays EWU with 10k fans it will look horrible.

I've been to soccer games at Toyota Stadium, and it a nice venue. Every seat is a good seat and it's easy to get in and out. I didn't use the restrooms or concessions so I can't speak to that. I don't rank a stadium based on the video board because that's not why I'm there. As long as I can see the score, down and distance I'm good.

If you want another city to host, contact their local sports authority and tell them to submit a bid. I'm guessing this isn't really high on their lists so there probably aren't a ton of submissions. The NCAA can only pick from those locations and then rely heavily on the local organizing committees to put everything together.

I understand why they picked 20k at toyota stadium and thought it was an acceptable size and honestly if jmu, montana or ndsu fail to make it, any other fan base will bring a small enough group of fans to have less than 20k in attendance.

However, they extended Toyota Stadium to 2020 just this past year. They did that knowing that NDSU, UM and JMU will bring crowds. That extension is what is unacceptable knowing the venue is too small.