(10-05-2014 11:39 PM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 02:15 PM)HuskieJoe Wrote:  There was 8 or maybe even 10 port a pots in Lot K (old theatre lot) near Stadium Drive. That lot wasn't very full and there was never a line for any of those port a pots. I think last year and in previous years there was only like 5 port a pots there. Not sure why there were more there this year, sounds like some of those should be moved to Convo.

Last year Lot K had an over abundance of portapots too. 10 or 12. The Convo lot did not have enough portapots last year either so I counted the number in lot k when I drove thru it after a game.

I emailed athletics about this last year & again this year. I was polite & acknowledged that they might need to forward my email to the correct person for the problem. Obviously the Convo lot masses don't matter as this is still a problem.

Why don't you find a tailgate spot closer to the convo?

In all seriousness, they do need to make it a priority to remove those ugly urinal troughs. It's quite dehumanizing to use those things, and I can only imagine what new visitors to Huskie Stadium think. It certainly is not an inviting experience. You get more privacy peeing in the bushes outside the stadium.

(10-06-2014 06:14 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  In all seriousness, they do need to make it a priority to remove those ugly urinal troughs. It's quite dehumanizing to use those things, and I can only imagine what new visitors to Huskie Stadium think. It certainly is not an inviting experience. You get more privacy peeing in the bushes outside the stadium.

The urine troughs are very functional with minimal maintenance for being over 50 years old. At least twice as many can use them compared to stand alone urinals. What is wrong standing shoulder to shoulder with a stranger trying to go and staring straight ahead praying you do not have a bashful kidney? It sure beats going in a round Murphy sink which I have seen drunk guys do at Wrigley Field standing in a circle. Besides it brings memories, I been going in the same trough for almost 50 years pissing away thousands of dollars of beers.

(10-06-2014 06:14 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  In all seriousness, they do need to make it a priority to remove those ugly urinal troughs. It's quite dehumanizing to use those things, and I can only imagine what new visitors to Huskie Stadium think. It certainly is not an inviting experience. You get more privacy peeing in the bushes outside the stadium.

this board is now down to critizing the urinals.

(10-06-2014 08:09 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 06:14 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  In all seriousness, they do need to make it a priority to remove those ugly urinal troughs. It's quite dehumanizing to use those things, and I can only imagine what new visitors to Huskie Stadium think. It certainly is not an inviting experience. You get more privacy peeing in the bushes outside the stadium.

this board is now down to critizing the urinals.

What the F is wrong with saying that renovation is needed? Do you upgrade, renovate, improve your house at all, or do you piss in a hole in the floor? I'm very happy for you that in your optimist world, you are ecstatically happy with everything. Just don't criticize the rest of us who may want to see improvements.

(10-05-2014 01:00 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  An Eastside concession line was 50+ deep with the 3rd qtr about to start. ( lotta more Parents than typical)

I'd imagine a lot are just looking for something to drink.

Wouldn't it make sense to set up a seperate stand on a back wall with just bottled water & pop?

You could sell cases & cases. $3 water that costs you $.20 and have happy fans.

That definitely seems an easy fix worth looking into for at least the Homecoming game. Not sure the last 2 games will be worth it.

(10-05-2014 02:25 PM)niuco90 Wrote:  Now on to tailgating and parking. The west side lot sucks. No one tailgates. They just park their cars and go to the game. What is the atmosphere like where others park. I'm not saying I want a stripper pole in the lot, but I have met some really nice people and had great times prior to games. Let me know what the atmosphere is like in the other lots because it isn't as much fun as past years.

Around 2:15-2:30
The Movie lot was 90% empty...

The Water tower lot was 75% empty...though the wind is a killer for that lot. Most of the tailgaters in that lot were set up so the building blocked the wind.

The Track lot was 80% empty...

The West lot seems like it had 10% of the spots with people who were actually tailgating. Totally understand if they wanted to just sit in the HAF tent and not deal with the wind.

About 45 min later we walked thru the CPC to the 3 Huskie statue...The East side seemed rocking but I only saw 20% of the lot from where I was standing.

(10-05-2014 02:24 PM)HappyHuskie Wrote:  What was with the pallet loads of bottled water outside the west stands after the game? Someone said the water was free and there were people carrying away cartons of it. It looked like a water drop in a desert or a free for all in a riot area.

What I saw was not water it was clear Mountian Dew like the one on the right.

Yep, it was free Mountain Dew samples...the Keurig tent was also giving free coffee/tea samples, kind of nice.

By about 2:30, the weather was ok, if that had been the weather at 11 AM, I think you would have seen much more tailgating. It was just nasty out though, especially when it was 75 degress just 5 days before.

I'm hoping at least ONE of the next two Saturdays is nice (60's weather), because I really think this set-up could be quite awesome if they get the weather.

The game day experience has been vastly improved. Kudos to STF and his staff. I park on the West side, and I love the reserved parking. Great to have my own space.

(10-06-2014 03:53 AM)DoubleHuskie84 Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 11:39 PM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 02:15 PM)HuskieJoe Wrote:  There was 8 or maybe even 10 port a pots in Lot K (old theatre lot) near Stadium Drive. That lot wasn't very full and there was never a line for any of those port a pots. I think last year and in previous years there was only like 5 port a pots there. Not sure why there were more there this year, sounds like some of those should be moved to Convo.

Last year Lot K had an over abundance of portapots too. 10 or 12. The Convo lot did not have enough portapots last year either so I counted the number in lot k when I drove thru it after a game.

I emailed athletics about this last year & again this year. I was polite & acknowledged that they might need to forward my email to the correct person for the problem. Obviously the Convo lot masses don't matter as this is still a problem.

Why don't you find a tailgate spot closer to the convo?

We have a large group that tailgates together. I am not going to ask 15 or more people to move from where they like to be.
Besides, I cannot be the only person who thinks this is a problem. When you have several thousand people tailgating in one place, 10 portapots & the convo bathrooms just are not enough. Last year was the first time this was a problem. Prior to that, there were twice as many pots out there.

Observation: There are a lot of incontinent, overweight, impatient, stressed out people on this board.

The life expectancy of us has to be low.

(10-06-2014 08:16 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 01:00 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  An Eastside concession line was 50+ deep with the 3rd qtr about to start. ( lotta more Parents than typical)

I'd imagine a lot are just looking for something to drink.

[b]Wouldn't it make sense to set up a seperate stand on a back wall with just bottled water & pop? [/b]

You could sell cases & cases. $3 water that costs you $.20 and have happy fans.

That definitely seems an easy fix worth looking into for at least the Homecoming game. Not sure the last 2 games will be worth it.

Why wouldn't it be worth it? It's not like it would cost them a ton of money or they would have to build something. Even 15K all congregating in the same area (center doors) coming into Huskie Stadium & everyone wanting to buy food or drinks ...it's a mess. The far south doors have always had just a small stand with drinks you could buy when you came in. Hand them $$ and you were on your way. They had a portable counter top & a bin filled with ice & bottled drinks. Or a stand up refrig/cooler with drinks. They already own those things. Just set them back up.

(10-06-2014 09:45 AM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 08:16 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 01:00 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  An Eastside concession line was 50+ deep with the 3rd qtr about to start. ( lotta more Parents than typical)

I'd imagine a lot are just looking for something to drink.

[b]Wouldn't it make sense to set up a seperate stand on a back wall with just bottled water & pop? [/b]

You could sell cases & cases. $3 water that costs you $.20 and have happy fans.

That definitely seems an easy fix worth looking into for at least the Homecoming game. Not sure the last 2 games will be worth it.

Why wouldn't it be worth it? It's not like it would cost them a ton of money or they would have to build something. Even 15K all congregating in the same area (center doors) coming into Huskie Stadium & everyone wanting to buy food or drinks ...it's a mess. The far south doors have always had just a small stand with drinks you could buy when you came in. Hand them $$ and you were on your way. They had a portable counter top & a bin filled with ice & bottled drinks. Or a stand up refrig/cooler with drinks. They already own those things. Just set them back up.

I don't think we will have more than this last weekend for the Miami or Toledo games...also no parents on the East side which by my reading seemed to be the reason for the back up on that side.

(10-06-2014 09:47 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 09:45 AM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 08:16 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 01:00 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  An Eastside concession line was 50+ deep with the 3rd qtr about to start. ( lotta more Parents than typical)

I'd imagine a lot are just looking for something to drink.

[b]Wouldn't it make sense to set up a seperate stand on a back wall with just bottled water & pop? [/b]

You could sell cases & cases. $3 water that costs you $.20 and have happy fans.

That definitely seems an easy fix worth looking into for at least the Homecoming game. Not sure the last 2 games will be worth it.

Why wouldn't it be worth it? It's not like it would cost them a ton of money or they would have to build something. Even 15K all congregating in the same area (center doors) coming into Huskie Stadium & everyone wanting to buy food or drinks ...it's a mess. The far south doors have always had just a small stand with drinks you could buy when you came in. Hand them $$ and you were on your way. They had a portable counter top & a bin filled with ice & bottled drinks. Or a stand up refrig/cooler with drinks. They already own those things. Just set them back up.

I don't think we will have more than this last weekend for the Miami or Toledo games...also no parents on the East side which by my reading seemed to be the reason for the back up on that side.

The Toledo game is huge. Everybody comes to that game even tho it is a weeknight. I'll bet we have 20K at that game.
Well regardless, there should be more than one place on the ground level to buy a drink. By taking away what we had, it is making the gameday experience worse, not better. They are charging more for the drinks (& probably the food too) & it is more difficult to get.
Can this change be blamed on Sodexo? http://www.niuhuskies.com/genrel/082214aab.html

I would like to pass on some of these problems (fewer bathrooms at tailgating, more difficult access to purchase drinks and or food inside the stadium) to anyone who can look into solving them. I just don't know who that would be. I do think NIU wants to improve, not get worse.

(10-06-2014 09:58 AM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  The Toledo game is huge. Everybody comes to that game even tho it is a weeknight. I'll bet we have 20K at that game.
Well regardless, there should be more than one place on the ground level to buy a drink. By taking away what we had, it is making the gameday experience worse, not better. They are charging more for the drinks (& probably the food too) & it is more difficult to get.
Can this change be blamed on Sodexo? http://www.niuhuskies.com/genrel/082214aab.html

I would like to pass on some of these problems (fewer bathrooms at tailgating, more difficult access to purchase drinks and or food inside the stadium) to anyone who can look into solving them. I just don't know who that would be. I do think NIU wants to improve, not get worse.

We didn't have 20k for the game in 2012 when we were 9-1 (had 17,813). Last time we had 20k+ for a game in November was 2004. Again I think its a good idea if we are expecting 20k but I just don't think the last 2 games we will get over 18k.

Even though we only had 15k in the stands I think the large number of parents/siblings on the East side were the reason for the longer than normal lines on that side. I think it could repeat again this weekend but that is about it. I am fairly sure there is more than 1 concession line on the East side too...though if not then that would be an even easier fix for next weekend.


There was a food truck (bbq I think) outside of the stadium but inside the metal fence so you didn't have to leave the stadium...did anyone try that?

(10-06-2014 08:15 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 08:09 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 06:14 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  In all seriousness, they do need to make it a priority to remove those ugly urinal troughs. It's quite dehumanizing to use those things, and I can only imagine what new visitors to Huskie Stadium think. It certainly is not an inviting experience. You get more privacy peeing in the bushes outside the stadium.

this board is now down to critizing the urinals.

What the F is wrong with saying that renovation is needed? Do you upgrade, renovate, improve your house at all, or do you piss in a hole in the floor? I'm very happy for you that in your optimist world, you are ecstatically happy with everything. Just don't criticize the rest of us who may want to see improvements.

urinals. Reno is good but does it have ti get so specific

(10-05-2014 02:35 PM)HuskieJoe Wrote:  I tailgate in the student lot, and the NIU police were telling people starting 45 minutes before kickoff that they had to stop tailgating and go to the stadium. Usually they don't ask people to stop tailgating until a few minutes before game time. We questioned the officer when this new policy went into effect, and she said "right now", with an unnecessarily aggressive tone. It seems like there may be some new officers this year on a bit of a power trip that needs to be brought back in check.

the attitude of the police i think is an issue. In the past I have seen what i think is their flexing their muscles. This is something I would let SF know about.

(10-05-2014 11:42 PM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 11:32 PM)Enaiu Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 11:29 PM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 02:14 PM)7 Wrote:  If you have trouble finding the bathrooms at Huskie Stadium, you're an idiot.

That is an unfair statement to make. People who are new to the stadium don't know their way around.
Every game I help direct someone to the restrooms. Sometimes it's the visiting team fans. Sometimes it is people who have never been there before. Most stadiums have restrooms on several levels. Huskie Stadium has one ladies room up at the top outside corner and the rest are on the ground floor.
If you've never been there before how the hell would you know that?

I agree, but someone earlier was saying that it's SF's fault that people can't find bathrooms. They've been in the same location for years, and it's not HIS fault that they may or may not be hard to find... If it's real bad, I'm sure we'll put some signs up, but it's not like it's HIS fault they are where they are.

It absolutely is NOT SF's fault the stadium restrooms may not be easy to find. That is not fair to put that on him. Why would anyone even say that or think that?
I do think SF is trying very hard to correct & improve things. He just has a very big job in front of him.

there are plans for stadium reno, just can't do everything overnight.

(10-06-2014 10:24 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 08:15 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 08:09 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 06:14 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  In all seriousness, they do need to make it a priority to remove those ugly urinal troughs. It's quite dehumanizing to use those things, and I can only imagine what new visitors to Huskie Stadium think. It certainly is not an inviting experience. You get more privacy peeing in the bushes outside the stadium.

this board is now down to critizing the urinals.

What the F is wrong with saying that renovation is needed? Do you upgrade, renovate, improve your house at all, or do you piss in a hole in the floor? I'm very happy for you that in your optimist world, you are ecstatically happy with everything. Just don't criticize the rest of us who may want to see improvements.

urinals. Reno is good but does it have ti get so specific

Oh, so sorry! Well, okay...renovation is needed to certain facilities in Huskie Stadium. You'll just have to guess which ones because we are not allowed to get specific.