Game Day at Dyche Stadium

[jimmyNU]

I usually only get back for one game a year. I always enjoy seeing friends and tailgating. I do not enjoy the 'game day' atmosphere at Dyche Stadium very much at all. I've said for years that it feels like a AA baseball stadium. They use all sorts of gimmicks to keep people entertained. I think honoring 10+ groups in the corner of the field every game has more than run its course.

None of that really matters but what does need to improve is the music selection. The sound system isn't very good, that's a given. I'm wondering why Northwestern Athletics insists on playing the loud (awful) heavy metal, amp-up-the-crowd music. It's terrible to begin with and worse when played over our cheap sound system. I don't think the people choosing the music have ever met the NU alumni base.

I don't expect any of this to change but it disappoints me.

Go Cats!
Jim

 

[Alan Smithee]

You gave that cloud some things to think about.

 

[No Chores]

I usually only get back for one game a year. I always enjoy seeing friends and tailgating. I do not enjoy the 'game day' atmosphere at Dyche Stadium very much at all. I've said for years that it feels like a AA baseball stadium. They use all sorts of gimmicks to keep people entertained. I think honoring 10+ groups in the corner of the field every game has more than run its course.

None of that really matters but what does need to improve is the music selection. The sound system isn't very good, that's a given. I'm wondering why Northwestern Athletics insists on playing the loud (awful) heavy metal, amp-up-the-crowd music. It's terrible to begin with and worse when played over our cheap sound system. I don't think the people choosing the music have ever met the NU alumni base.

I don't expect any of this to change but it disappoints me.

Go Cats!
Jim

Could not disagree more. Our entire group had a great time and enjoyed every aspect of the stadium experience, including the music. Maybe you went to the wrong location - were you at Dyche Stadium, or Ryan Field where the game was played? On a side note, it was also quite fun to watch the 'Cats kick Rutgers butt as well. Next time maybe skip the game and go to a concert.

 

[timbfischer]

The game day experience is better when people are into the game and actually stand up and make some noise when there are big plays, instead of getting mad at those of us who do. Maybe if you made some noise of your own, you'd notice the music less.

 

[stpaulcat]

I usually only get back for one game a year. I always enjoy seeing friends and tailgating. I do not enjoy the 'game day' atmosphere at Dyche Stadium very much at all. I've said for years that it feels like a AA baseball stadium. They use all sorts of gimmicks to keep people entertained. I think honoring 10+ groups in the corner of the field every game has more than run its course.

None of that really matters but what does need to improve is the music selection. The sound system isn't very good, that's a given. I'm wondering why Northwestern Athletics insists on playing the loud (awful) heavy metal, amp-up-the-crowd music. It's terrible to begin with and worse when played over our cheap sound system. I don't think the people choosing the music have ever met the NU alumni base.

I don't expect any of this to change but it disappoints me.

Go Cats!
Jim

Jimmy said: "The sound system isn't very good, that's a given. I'm wondering why Northwestern Athletics insists on playing the loud (awful) heavy metal, amp-up-the-crowd music. It's terrible to begin with and worse when played over our cheap sound system."

Perhaps because they are trying to imitate Minnesota, without having to build a brand new beautiful, state of the art stadium? Be thankful they are aren't trying to imitate PJ Fleck.

 

[jimmyNU]

Could not disagree more. Our entire group had a great time and enjoyed every aspect of the stadium experience, including the music. Maybe you went to the wrong location - were you at Dyche Stadium, or Ryan Field where the game was played? On a side note, it was also quite fun to watch the 'Cats kick Rutgers butt as well. Next time maybe skip the game and go to a concert.

No thanks. I'm a big Wildcats fan and I don't care much for concerts.

 

[loyolacat]

yikes....I agree with jNU....maybe you can say you dont care, you ignore it, doesnt matter but hard to make a case for "good" and adding to the experience....I would go with doesnt matter as fitting most of the crowd......You always have the option to turn the experience into a big drunken experience..like Wriggly or Miller Park....not my choice.....But I think a new scoreboard solves a lot of issues.....personally I like the games where students can win tuition, books, etc...by catching puntsl dizzy bat races etc....and let the students pick the music....good game day atmosphere for me would be to see the students actively engaged....and only one red hat when we play Nebraska. They are always so happy to be there...like the long lost cousins you invited for the holidays.

 

[its_the_sauce]

These type of threads show up every now and then and I don't know what people expect. Am I personally a fan of the music that's played, no but so what? I'm not going to the game to listen to music. Trust me, if they played the type of music I like there would probably be even more complaints LOL.

All I can say is my personal streak is intact. I've been to hundreds of Cats games over 40+ years and I've NEVER had a bad time.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

These type of threads show up every now and then and I don't know what people expect. Am I personally a fan of the music that's played, no but so what? I'm not going to the game to listen to music. Trust me, if they played the type of music I like there would probably be even more complaints LOL.

All I can say is my personal streak is intact. I've been to hundreds of Cats games over 40+ years and I've NEVER had a bad time.

You must have missed the ISU game.

 

[phatcat]

I usually only get back for one game a year. I always enjoy seeing friends and tailgating. I do not enjoy the 'game day' atmosphere at Dyche Stadium very much at all. I've said for years that it feels like a AA baseball stadium. They use all sorts of gimmicks to keep people entertained. I think honoring 10+ groups in the corner of the field every game has more than run its course.

None of that really matters but what does need to improve is the music selection. The sound system isn't very good, that's a given. I'm wondering why Northwestern Athletics insists on playing the loud (awful) heavy metal, amp-up-the-crowd music. It's terrible to begin with and worse when played over our cheap sound system. I don't think the people choosing the music have ever met the NU alumni base.

I don't expect any of this to change but it disappoints me.

Go Cats!
Jim

I had a great experience but agree about the music. I'm not a fan of the selection, but the sound system is the primary problem, IMHO. It's like a little clock radio turned up too loud. I kind of eye-roll at the concept of having constant stimuli to keep people interested, but - whatever. I feel like it's the nerdy kid trying to be cool and failing. I can tolerate it because I just love being there.

Better things, other than the awesome game. 1) being in the same section as some 95/96 players and listening to their comments. 2) It's not like this when Enormous State U overtakes our stadium, but there were a lot of families there. Love seeing all the little kids/future Cats' fans. 3) I like the band, although they look like they could fit in my living room. But - when they did the damn Bottle Dance from Fiddler, it was the coolest thing I've seen them do. Also I can barely sing the alma mater, always get choked up. every single time. 4) the weather.

We had a great time. I hope they don't overdo it with the renovation, but yeah, we need a sound system.

 

[jimmyNU]

I had a great experience but agree about the music. I'm not a fan of the selection, but the sound system is the primary problem, IMHO. It's like a little clock radio turned up too loud. I kind of eye-roll at the concept of having constant stimuli to keep people interested, but - whatever. I feel like it's the nerdy kid trying to be cool and failing. I can tolerate it because I just love being there.

Better things, other than the awesome game. 1) being in the same section as some 95/96 players and listening to their comments. 2) It's not like this when Enormous State U overtakes our stadium, but there were a lot of families there. Love seeing all the little kids/future Cats' fans. 3) I like the band, although they look like they could fit in my living room. But - when they did the damn Bottle Dance from Fiddler, it was the coolest thing I've seen them do. Also I can barely sing the alma mater, always get choked up. every single time. 4) the weather.

We had a great time. I hope they don't overdo it with the renovation, but yeah, we need a sound system.

As a proud NUMBAlum, it pains me to see what has happened to the marching band. Director Dan Farris brought in an 'all business' attitude that drove most of fun antics out of the band culture. NUMB has never been the same. I completely agree about the Alma Mater.

 

[its_the_sauce]

You must have missed the ISU game.

Most definitely was there, disappointing game but still fun.

Duke in 98 was the closest I've been to being downright disgusted afterwards lol.

 

[CatChatAR]

These type of threads show up every now and then and I don't know what people expect. Am I personally a fan of the music that's played, no but so what? I'm not going to the game to listen to music. Trust me, if they played the type of music I like there would probably be even more complaints LOL.

All I can say is my personal streak is intact. I've been to hundreds of Cats games over 40+ years and I've NEVER had a bad time.

I'm with you but I doubt even Fitz can say that.

 

[Deeringfish]

As far as the sound system is concerned, the entire stadium was built on an entirely different acoustic mindset with no idea what would come out of electric music and electric sound systems. This is one reason why the whole thing needs to be rebuilt.

 

[CatChatAR]

As a proud NUMBAlum, it pains me to see what has happened to the marching band. Director Dan Farris brought in an 'all business' attitude that drove most of fun antics out of the band culture. NUMB has never been the same. I completely agree about the Alma Mater.

Drill down on this - what do you mean? I don't recall a time when NUMB was anything like the Stanford band.

 

[ubercat]

Stanford band = Anarchists with instruments. "Fun antics" depends on your point of view.

 

[jimmyNU]

Drill down on this - what do you mean? I don't recall a time when NUMB was anything like the Stanford band.

There is no analogy to the Stanford band. The fun that has been purged from NUMB has nothing to do with what you see on the field. I'm referring to the inside jokes, foolishness, and spirit team traditions that were embedded in band camp and NUMB rehearsals. It's been years since I've spoken to anyone who was there for the Dorsey to Farris transition. From what I recall, he really didn't like all of the joking around and really cracked down on the fun. Within two seasons the people who joined NUMB purely for social reasons (like me) gave up and the band has been small ever since.

I was fortunate enough to be in the band when Dr. Peterson ran it. He was a master at balancing the performance quality with the fun and foolishness. I still regret that NU didn't give him the Director of Bands position when John Paynter died.

 

[FeralFelidae]

What's Dyche Stadium?

 

[CatChatAR]

What's Dyche Stadium?

A somewhat magical place where the goal posts were buried deep in the ground and peppermint schnapps hot chocolate was served in the parking lot.

 

[phatcat]

A somewhat magical place where the goal posts were buried deep in the ground and peppermint schnapps hot chocolate was served in the parking lot.

one of my not-favorite Dyche memories was this kid, annoying when sober, who got so drunk on peppermint schnapps that he hurled inside the stadium, near me. Imagine the aroma of peppermint vomit.

 

[its_the_sauce]

There is no analogy to the Stanford band. The fun that has been purged from NUMB has nothing to do with what you see on the field. I'm referring to the inside jokes, foolishness, and spirit team traditions that were embedded in band camp and NUMB rehearsals. It's been years since I've spoken to anyone who was there for the Dorsey to Farris transition. From what I recall, he really didn't like all of the joking around and really cracked down on the fun. Within two seasons the people who joined NUMB purely for social reasons (like me) gave up and the band has been small ever since.

I was fortunate enough to be in the band when Dr. Peterson ran it. He was a master at balancing the performance quality with the fun and foolishness. I still regret that NU didn't give him the Director of Bands position when John Paynter died.

Why don't you like Dr. Thompson??

Asking seriously.

 

[stpaulcat]

What's Dyche Stadium?

It's where we watched football when NU was #1 in the nation.

 

[FeralFelidae]

It's where we watched football when NU was #1 in the nation.

NU is #1 in my heart.

 

[stpaulcat]

So far this thread has not painted a great picture. First they rename Dyche Stadium after a heterosexual male, then they anchor the goalposts such that exuberant fans can never again tear them down and drown them in Lake Michigan, then they take the hijinks out of the marching band, then they play music that only a teenager on Mescaline will appreciate, and finally, which no one has mentioned, they hire Jim O'Neil as coordinator of the defense. However, there are still the idiotic games during timeouts, which create fake fun to sell s***. This is Evanston after all whose history is of temperance and a religion based in abstinence of most forms of amusement. You'd think with all the marketing geniuses in Kellogg, someone by now would have thought of a way to put the "fun" back in Efunston.

 

[stpaulcat]

NU is #1 in my heart.

Do the Corpuscles put out a poll every week?

 

[jimmyNU]

Why don't you like Dr. Thompson??

Asking seriously.

I want to acknowledge your question but I'm not comfortable answering on a message board.

 

[phatcat]

So far this thread has not painted a great picture. First they rename Dyche Stadium after a heterosexual male, then they anchor the goalposts such that exuberant fans can never again tear them down and drown them in Lake Michigan, then they take the hijinks out of the marching band, then they play music that only a teenager on Mescaline will appreciate, and finally, which no one has mentioned, they hire Jim O'Neil as coordinator of the defense. However, there are still the idiotic games during timeouts, which create fake fun to sell s***. This is Evanston after all whose history is of temperance and a religion based in abstinence of most forms of amusement. You'd think with all the marketing geniuses in Kellogg, someone by now would have thought of a way to put the "fun" back in Efunston.

I confess that I didn't notice any idiotic games during timeouts as I was checking scores, texting, etc. Do you mean when the camera looked for most enthusiastic fan or whatever?

 

[stpaulcat]

I confess that I didn't notice any idiotic games during timeouts as I was checking scores, texting, etc. Do you mean when the camera looked for most enthusiastic fan or whatever?

Barbeque sauce races, and so forth. IMO, completely destroys the game day atmosphere. Or have they stopped those in the time of COVID?

 

[phatcat]

Barbeque sauce races, and so forth. IMO, completely destroys the game day atmosphere. Or have they stopped those in the time of COVID?

I really tune out during that stuff, but most breaks seemed to be around calling attention to certain groups in one corner of the field or another 95/96 team (a bit of an underwhelming response to them), women's basketball, some service member, some old guy, ICR all of them but there were a lot of them.

 

[Catreporter]

I really tune out during that stuff, but most breaks seemed to be around calling attention to certain groups in one corner of the field or another 95/96 team (a bit of an underwhelming response to them), women's basketball, some service member, some old guy, ICR all of them but there were a lot of them.

Yep, that's what they are doing now and I think the idea is to create a sense of all-campus and community involvement with the program. Not a bad idea in my opinion.

 

[stpaulcat]

I really tune out during that stuff, but most breaks seemed to be around calling attention to certain groups in one corner of the field or another 95/96 team (a bit of an underwhelming response to them), women's basketball, some service member, some old guy, ICR all of them but there were a lot of them.

The introductions are fine and usually well deserved.