A visitor’s experience

[Wandering Spectator]

We made the trip to Evanston for the Penn State game this past weekend.

TL;DR Very nice campus. Awesome Lake views. Expected more team support/spirit. Loved the N Zone concept and easy access to the stadium.

Here’s my writeup of our visit.

Cat Fight in Evanston!

Penn State makes their second trip to Illinois in two weeks and we were there for the Cat Fight!

wanderingspectator.wordpress.com

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

That’s an impressive write-up. Thanks for visiting Evanston and sharing your experience! Go Cats!!!

 

[gocatsgo2003]

We made the trip to Evanston for the Penn State game this past weekend.

TL;DR Very nice campus. Awesome Lake views. Expected more team support/spirit. Loved the N Zone concept and easy access to the stadium.

Here’s my writeup of our visit.

Cat Fight in Evanston!

Penn State makes their second trip to Illinois in two weeks and we were there for the Cat Fight!

wanderingspectator.wordpress.com

The lack of attendance/support is nothing new, though perhaps suppressed even further by the Fitz situation (plus just being, ya know… bad for a couple seasons).

It is always hilarious to me listening to our Ryan Field neighbors in opposition of the rebuild voicing their complaints to the Village. The last two home games I attended were a 6:30 PM night conference game and a 11:00 AM morning conference game. In both instances we were able to drive down 6th street/Eastwood (the north/south street immediately west of the stadium) about an hour and a half before kickoff pretty much completely unobstructed. The noise levels were pretty much negligible and the parking lots MAAYYYBBBEEEEE two-thirds full at kickoff. The Evanston residents have NO IDEA how impactful most B1G games are on the surrounding areas, yet like complaining to high heavens.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

The lack of attendance/support is nothing new, though perhaps suppressed even further by the Fitz situation (plus just being, ya know… bad for a couple seasons).

It is always hilarious to me listening to our Ryan Field neighbors in opposition of the rebuild voicing their complaints to the Village. The last two home games I attended were a 6:30 PM night conference game and a 11:00 AM morning conference game. In both instances we were able to drive down 6th street/Eastwood (the north/south street immediately west of the stadium) about an hour and a half before kickoff pretty much completely unobstructed. The noise levels were pretty much negligible and the Peking lots MAAYYYBBBEEEEE two-thirds full at kickoff. The Evanston residents have NO IDEA how impactful most B1G games are on the surrounding areas, yet like complaining to high heavens.

Plus they moved into a neighborhood that had a 45,000 seat capacity stadium built almost 100 years ago.

 

[4IUSox2]

As a former Central St resident, NU STH and a 30 year Cat by marriage, was amazed how few in the neighborhood gave a shit about NU athletics, but always had a constant bitch about the “crowds” (all 25,000-35,000 pre-‘95) 6 times/year. It was like they didn’t see the Stadium in plain view before they moved in. I loved our time on Central, in part, due to being close to Big 10 football and hoops.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Glad you made it to Mustard’s

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

As a former Central St resident, NU STH and a 30 year Cat by marriage, was amazed how few in the neighborhood gave a shit about NU athletics, but always had a constant bitch about the “crowds” (all 25,000-35,000 pre-‘95) 6 times/year. It was like they didn’t see the Stadium in plain view before they moved in. I loved our time on Central, in part, due to being close to Big 10 football and hoops.

If I ever move back to Chicago I’m buying a place up near Central and going to every football and basketball game possible.

 

[NUCat320]

Nicely done.

That shoe salesman was a doof, though he had a lot of people on this board fooled.

It’s been two years of baaaaad football on campus, and a COVID year before that. So, while NU has always struggled to maintain student enthusiasm, there’s a particularly uphill battle currently. The win over Minnesota two weeks ago was the (edit) second conference win with fans in attendance since November 2018.

 

[Eurocat]

That was a fantastic write up, thanks!

 

[phatcat]

Nicely done.

That shoe salesman was a doof, though he had a lot of people on this board fooled.

It’s been two years of baaaaad football on campus, and a COVID year before that. So, while NU has always struggled to maintain student enthusiasm, there’s a particularly uphill battle currently. The win over Minnesota two weeks ago was the first conference win with fans in attendance since November 2018.

*Rutgers 2021.

 

[pschatz25]

If I ever move back to Chicago I’m buying a place up near Central and going to every football and basketball game possible.

Good luck. My wife and I were planning to do that 6-7 years ago, but every place we looked at in that neighborhood was grossly overpriced ("That's not a third bedroom, it's a closet!"). And I get it, in addition to NU sports, there's restaurants, shops, public transportation, schools, parks, and easy access to the beach, downtown Evanston, and downtown Wilmette. It's a very nice location. We ended up nearby.