Playoff Atmosphere at Notre Dame Stadium

[sjb75]

I was at the game this Saturday. While the lack of a competitive game obviously hurt the crowd noise I think the music being played / delays in when it came on and some general moments of nothingness during long breaks in play did not help the atmosphere. Song choices, or lack of some songs that I remember from the first night game in 20 years (USC vs ND) as well as a couple of other night games I have been to since were much better / got the crowd involved.

I also agree with Kooaid above.....it's time to allow beer sales in the stadium for the masses....I think it will still be a family atmosphere but I could have used one or two more on Saturday night! I attended the Michigan vs USC game and they have beer available starting this year.....also ND sells it in the boxes so its not like they are against it for everyone.

Maybe Virginia will be loud. Senior Day.

 

[Golson5]

I think Golson5 and possibly another regular poster or two here attended the FSU game. In light of the posts here bemoaning the moribund crowds at ND games, curious to know what you thought of the game atmosphere. The crowd seemed pretty lively and engaged on the NBC broadcast, but I wonder what it was like in person. In view of the slaughter that took place on the field, you might have expected the crowd to have slept through the game. My experience has been that night games are always more lively than afternoon games. I attended the Stanford game this year and it wasn't a particularly lively crowd, but the game wasn't very entertaining and then the stadium had to be evacuated due to weather concerns at the end of the third quarter, so that certainly didn't help.

Aside from the smaller student body that attends ND games, because of ND Stadium's open bowl architecture and acoustics it will never be as loud as a stadium with tiered stands. That is simply an irrefutable fact. Nonetheless, I have found ND crowds get into the game when it is entertaining. Going back to my student days the stadium actually felt like it was shaking when Eric Penick scored on his epic 85-yd TD run during the 1973 USC game. I also happened to attend the 2021 night game vs. North Carolina and the stadium was absolutely rocking when Kyren Williams scored on that crazy 91-yd TD.

I think ND's fan base is as passionate as any school's, but perhaps they don't get quite as liquored up before and during the game. I guess that is why it is called liquid courage.

I was on the visitors side and it was bad. The difference between the 2 sides was obvious. The student section and that side did a good job. They were into it. It was a good environment right there for the recruits

But man the visitors side. It was sad. I know it was cold and fsu stinks but people were barely standing for 3rd downs. Not much yelling at all. I stood every 3rd and 4th down and was screaming. I was trying to get people to stand up and get going but they really just wanted to sit and watch

It was disappointing

I think adding beer sales is something that would help some and we just have an older fan base that attends games and more of a family atmosphere. There's a culture of not much standing and screaming that you don't see at other places

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

I was at the game this Saturday. While the lack of a competitive game obviously hurt the crowd noise I think the music being played / delays in when it came on and some general moments of nothingness during long breaks in play did not help the atmosphere. Song choices, or lack of some songs that I remember from the first night game in 20 years (USC vs ND) as well as a couple of other night games I have been to since were much better / got the crowd involved.

I also agree with Kooaid above.....it's time to allow beer sales in the stadium for the masses....I think it will still be a family atmosphere but I could have used one or two more on Saturday night! I attended the Michigan vs USC game and they have beer available starting this year.....also ND sells it in the boxes so its not like they are against it for everyone.

To be clear I am not advocating for beer sales during the game, but wouldn't oppose it. I suppose ND's reluctance to sell alcohol during games is rooted both in tradition and ND being a Catholic institution, but certainly the school's administration knows that copious amounts of alcohol are consumed before the games in the many tailgates around the stadium. And as you also note, alcohol is served up in the sky boxes. So it seems that the reluctance to sell alcohol in the stadium must be premised on other reasons. I imagine concession sales would spike significantly if alcohol was sold.

That said, I would hate to see ND Stadium turn into what happens at the typical NFL game nowadays. I don't enjoy going to NFL games anymore. The thuggery and hooliganism is often out of control. The last time I went to an NFL game I took my grandson and had to endure a couple of guys sitting a few rows behind us shouting F-bombs nearly every minute. Both of them appeared to pretty drunk, and I expect that had a lot to do with it. Near the end of the game they got into a fist fight with some other "fans."

 

[sjb75]

To be clear I am not advocating for beer sales during the game, but wouldn't oppose it. I suppose ND's reluctance to sell alcohol during games is rooted both in tradition and ND being a Catholic institution, but certainly the school's administration knows that copious amounts of alcohol are consumed before the games in the many tailgates around the stadium. And as you also note, alcohol is served up in the sky boxes. So it seems that the reluctance to sell alcohol in the stadium must be premised on other reasons. I imagine concession sales would spike significantly if alcohol was sold.

That said, I would hate to see ND Stadium turn into what happens at the typical NFL game nowadays. I don't enjoy going to NFL games anymore. The thuggery and hooliganism is often out of control. The last time I went to an NFL game I took my grandson and had to endure a couple of guys sitting a few rows behind us shouting F-bombs nearly every minute. Both of them appeared to pretty drunk, and I expect that had a lot to do with it. Near the end of the game they got into a fist fight with some other "fans."

Well stated. I am pleased as heck beer isn’t sold to all 77,000 inside the stadium for your house or more. Simply invites too many inherent problems.

 

[IrishMike409]

I think Golson5 and possibly another regular poster or two here attended the FSU game. In light of the posts here bemoaning the moribund crowds at ND games, curious to know what you thought of the game atmosphere. The crowd seemed pretty lively and engaged on the NBC broadcast, but I wonder what it was like in person. In view of the slaughter that took place on the field, you might have expected the crowd to have slept through the game. My experience has been that night games are always more lively than afternoon games. I attended the Stanford game this year and it wasn't a particularly lively crowd, but the game wasn't very entertaining and then the stadium had to be evacuated due to weather concerns at the end of the third quarter, so that certainly didn't help.

Aside from the smaller student body that attends ND games, because of ND Stadium's open bowl architecture and acoustics it will never be as loud as a stadium with tiered stands. That is simply an irrefutable fact. Nonetheless, I have found ND crowds get into the game when it is entertaining. Going back to my student days the stadium actually felt like it was shaking when Eric Penick scored on his epic 85-yd TD run during the 1973 USC game. I also happened to attend the 2021 night game vs. North Carolina and the stadium was absolutely rocking when Kyren Williams scored on that crazy 91-yd TD.

I think ND's fan base is as passionate as any school's, but perhaps they don't get quite as liquored up before and during the game. I guess that is why it is called liquid courage.

The game atmosphere was awesome.

-Field looked incredible
-The music is largely great. Not perfect, but it's never going to be......it's not like they can take requests.
-Jumbotron is awesome. Keeps people engaged.
-The halftime show is always good. The band is probably the best in the country.
-The campus was buzzing with energy and excitement. The pre-game partying and tailgate scene seemed strong as can be.
-The crowd was great- loud and fun when they needed to be.
-By all accounts, the recruits were blown away.

I don't get why people whine about the game-day atmosphere and experience. It's about as good as it could. I'd love to hear real suggestions on improving it.

If I could nitpick, I'd say this:

-The food at ND stadium is not great. Average at best.
-Lines for concessions and restrooms get too long.

 

[sjb75]

The game atmosphere was awesome.

-Field looked incredible
-The music is largely great. Not perfect, but it's never going to be......it's not like they can take requests.
-Jumbotron is awesome. Keeps people engaged.
-The halftime show is always good. The band is probably the best in the country.
-The campus was buzzing with energy and excitement. The pre-game partying and tailgate scene seemed strong as can be.
-The crowd was great- loud and fun when they needed to be.
-By all accounts, the recruits were blown away.

I don't get why people whine about the game-day atmosphere and experience. It's about as good as it could. I'd love to hear real suggestions on improving it.

If I could nitpick, I'd say this:

-The food at ND stadium is not great. Average at best.
-Lines for concessions and restrooms get too long.

Some fans simply like to complain. Hell, one fan suggested selling beer to all 77,000 the entire game so it would be louder.