Game Day Experience at The New Big House

Submitted by jdfogel on

As an alum living in Tampa, I'm curious to hear mgonation's account of its experience at The New Big House (TNBH) from Saturday.

I understand that construction is not yet completed, but figure that most of us will probably never take in a game from a luxury box anyway.  Accordingly, now is a good time to compare experiences from years past, which are still fresh in our heads, to those at TNBH.

Of course, all experiences from TNBH are welcomed/encouraged, but a few questions on which I'd be interested to hear feedback are as follows:

  • How was the flow of fans around the exterior of the stadium with the new towers in place?
  • Is it any easier/harder to get into your gate?
  • Is it any easier to get to/through concession lines?
  • Is it any quicker to get through the bathroom lines?
  • Aesthetically, how do the towers look in person from inside and outside of the stadium?
  • Do the towers make the stadium look more imposing, or do they look at all too big and/or out of place?
  • And most importantly, was there a noticable difference in volume inside the stadium?  It sounded pretty loud on TV, but of course the fans had more to cheer about at this game than most games from last year.  If you were positioned at or near field level, I am particularly interested to hear your feedback.

Thanks.  Go Blue!

Comments

Talpostal

September 7th, 2009 at 5:42 PM ^

In terms of flow inside the stadium, I didn't notice much of a difference. I came in the north end. I didn't notice any change in the concession lines or bathroom lines, but I didn't use them, either. The towers make the stadium look better, in my opinion, because the brick facades match a lot of the brick on the outside of the stadium. In terms of how it looks on the inside, I'm neutral.

Coming into the game I really didn't think that the boxes would cause any change in noise levels, but I actually think that they did. You could hear an echo whenever the announcer said anything, something I had never noticed in the past. The student section (and other parts of the stadium as well) were definitely louder than usual.

saveferris

September 7th, 2009 at 5:57 PM ^

Flow outside of the stadium is about the same. Flow around the stadium inside the gates is better. Waiting time for concessions / restrooms at peak times is about the same. The stadium is definately louder. I could hear noise boucing off from one side of the stadium to the other. When Notre Dame shows up next week, they're going to be in for a slightly different experience than what they're used to.

James Burrill Angell

September 7th, 2009 at 7:49 PM ^

I agree about outside, no significant change there. But I was on the visitors side and going in and out of my section was tough. They've definitely taken away a lot of space on that side so it seemed much more cramped and congested. Also seems like the greater variety of concessions have now moved towards the endzone.

corncobb

September 7th, 2009 at 6:07 PM ^

I have been at the stadium installing elevators since February, and as a repeat attendee to games (cheap seats) I have noticed certain gameday upgrades:

The concourse on the second level, which will be accessible to the peasants next year, is closed for game day. It will double the amount of bathrooms and concessions from endzone to endzone on the Crisler side.

I eat my lunch in the bleachers every day and get a good look at the boxes from all areas of the field. The structures are staggered to be skinnier at the bottom and extend inward towards the top. The volume has increased by leaps and bounds, and the general acoustics are great.

The entire aesthetics of the stadium would be considered classy and fitting to the Michigan name. They look intimidating to opponents and inviting to homers. If Jerry Jones took a lesson in modesty it would look something like what we have.

Lastly, look for more accessibility to vending and restrooms more in the next season. Some areas have to be completely blocked in for safety, and that keeps some of the traffic flow staggered. When the second story concourse is open, it will be a huge relief valve for traffic in and out of the seats as well as to the vendors and bathrooms.

If you have any more questions, or want pics of the insides let me know. I should be there til Feb. or later. Hope this helps.

mhamberg

September 7th, 2009 at 6:41 PM ^

I agree with most of what's been said already. The best new change is that you can really hear the echo off the boxes. I'm not sure if it's louder on the field, but the new acoustics have to help.

The lines in and around the stadium seemed about the same as usual.

I think the new facade surrounding the stadium and the boxes being on top definitely make it seem more imposing.

Also, *new bonus feature*, the west side boxes provide a pretty good amount of shade for the people on the west side which made the temperature perfect as opposed to a little hot on the outside of the stadium. Usually the first few weeks of the season are pretty hot and full of sunburnness. With TNBH this has been made more pleasant.

MGoRobo

September 7th, 2009 at 6:45 PM ^

The stadum was most definitely louder than it was most of last season, the exception being that wonderful game against wisconsin. also noticed that most people didn't leave, so yet another improvement over last year. Hopefully it doesn't change next week if Notre Dame happens to score first...

Let Wisconsin be an example of how the game ISNT OVER until it's all zeroes. Don't leave, people...and if it gets empty, look me up in Section 29 and we'll yell together!

Rw

September 7th, 2009 at 9:48 PM ^

I couldn't agree more, I've only been going to UofM football games for two years. But last year I feel the loudest that stadium got was during the Wisconsin game. IMO I felt like the first half of the game this weekend was just as loud if not louder. I'm guessing the new addition is helping to reflect some of the sound back rather than let it go up and out of the stadium.

Beegs

September 8th, 2009 at 8:49 AM ^

I always watch every single play...you just never know what you might miss.

As a child, I was at the infamous 1979 Indiana - Anthony Carter game. Against a vastly inferior Indiana team in the 4th quarter, my dad got so frustrated that Bo was running the ball and seeminly content to settle for the tie. So at one point, my dad says "that's it, we're leaving." As we are about 2 blocks from the stadium walking to our car, we hear the massive roar.

On the flip side, I was also in the stands in 1988 as a senior at UM when us fans started the "nah nah nah nah, hey hey, good bye" cheer against the Miami Hurricanes...who then put up 16 late 4th quarter points (or something like that) to break our hearts.

Needless to say, I now watch every UM game to the very end, regardless of score. It's like a box of chocholates...

MaizeNBlu628

September 7th, 2009 at 7:05 PM ^

not sure if anyone has posted this before, but as i ran into the bathroom at halftime, the old awkward troughs were gone, replaced by nice new stalls! nothing major, but certainly nice...

also, mhamberg, i def agree with you on the new shading provided by the towers...as someone who repeatly forgets to put on sun block before sept games, it saved my butt. I remember last year, the past 2 years i've come home with a bright red face and racoon eyes from wearing my sunglasses

VictorsValiant09

September 7th, 2009 at 7:10 PM ^

As the All In For Michigan t-shirts say: "I won't stop until the clock reads all zeroes."

I think a lot of fans need to take that to heart, but to be fair, most if not all of the students stayed until the end this past game. Along with everyone else, I think they realized how important this win was for Michigan.

I was near the field in the student section for the game. Students were creating the White Noise constantly, yelling, clapping, stomping their feet, etc. It was near-deafening. The towels were pretty imposing once people waved them in unison...as long as they don't interfere with sightlines, I'm fine with them.

I concur with what everyone's saying about sound reflecting off of the luxury boxes. INCREDIBLY louder. I couldn't hear myself think, and there were 5-7 times during the game where Western couldn't get their plays set. Hiller was running around before the snap, pointing to his helmet, etc. In general, the noise seemed to confuse them.

UMxWolverines

September 7th, 2009 at 7:46 PM ^

Right about that quote. It was pretty obvious that Michigan was going to win, but I was kind of annoyed at people leaving early. I for one never leave early. I always stay til the end and a few minutes after.

Also right about the loudness. it was waaaaaaaaay louder. I couldn't talk to my cousin next to me at all. He couldn't hear me even when I yelled! After western had to call a timeout, the first thing i said to him was "they can't hear a thing". Also since i was up in row 72 which is added on, the metal floor was vibrating pretty good.

NoHeartAnthony

September 7th, 2009 at 7:51 PM ^

Sat in the south end zone, about 50 rows up.

How was the flow of fans around the exterior of the stadium with the new towers in place?

It seemed a little more crowded. I came in from the NW corner and encountered a traffic jam of people near the SW corner. There was a little line of people going south and a huge mass of people heading north.

Is it any easier/harder to get into your gate?

This might have been the only time I've gotten in ~15 minutes before kickoff, (mostly get there earlier) but the line to get in was longer than normal. It extended all the way to the grass near Stadium and then had to wrap around some.

Is it any easier to get to/through concession lines?

Didn't notice too much of a difference.

Is it any quicker to get through the bathroom lines?

No clue.

Aesthetically, how do the towers look in person from inside and outside of the stadium?

They looked beautiful both in and out. I kinda wish that they would hang out over the seats a little more.

Do the towers make the stadium look more imposing, or do they look at all too big and/or out of place?

They actually were smaller than I expected, but it's still quite a difference. At field level, it has to be intimidating.

And most importantly, was there a noticable difference in volume inside the stadium?

The south end zone is probably the least loud area of the stadium. I think the noise level heard on TV had more to do with the fans than anything. I haven't seen it that crazy for a MAC-level opponent. I was noticing when the band played later on in the game and the stadium was quieter, that you could hear the echo reverberating off the towers.

tdcarl

September 7th, 2009 at 9:17 PM ^

One play that stands out is when WMU was backed up near the student section and tried calling an audible. The running back was trying to tell Hiller he didn't know the play because he couldn't hear it, but in turn Hiller didn't hear him and he started the play without the running back knowing the audible.

This has nothing to do with the stadium, but what was up with the blue hairs epic phailing on the wave multiple times?

psychomatt

September 7th, 2009 at 10:58 PM ^

Outside was about the same, but bathrooms and concessions definitely better. And louder. And I was never told to sit down once (still in shock).

FWIW I liked the troughs but if the flow is this much better with urinals I am sold.

winged wolverine

September 7th, 2009 at 10:59 PM ^

Overall, I had a pretty good gameday experience, and I've been going to games since 1991.

Sat in Section 18, and it was really easy to get in and out of the gates. The concessions stands were easily accessed, and when busy were still pretty fast. The new construction, as mentioned by others, kept me out of the sun for the whole game.

While I did like the fact that there are actual stalls replacing the troughs, I missed almost the whole third quarter standing in line for the men's bathroom.

The stadium was definitely very loud. It was loud enough to where I couldn't hear the penalty calls by the ref on the mike, or what my friend sitting next to me was saying.

I didn't like the fact that I couldn't hear the band at all because of the placement, and as mentioned in many other places, was not a fan of the piped in music, but that's a minor issue for me.

Catholepistimiad

September 8th, 2009 at 12:44 AM ^

Waiting for the first serious rainfall to see how many people actually fit under the covered concourse area--I got a feeling it will be packed, but then again where did we all fit for some of the downpour-filled halftimes of past?

Cherry Coke at the game was a gift from god.

Concessions lines seemed much shorter/non-existent.

Men's urinals will take some getting used to; there was a lot of lingering near "in" door while spots were visibly available near the end of the line. It does feel more like "musical urinal" than it did with the troughs, for some reason.

And, most glaringly, the art deco-styled letters of "MICHIGAN STADIUM" look so damn puny now. I bet it's posted somewhere, but do they plan on recreating that (at twice the size) atop the suites? While I'm at it, is the press box coming down? That looks so puny, as well; I'm not saying it should come down, but I somehow missed those details in all the talk of stadium upgrades.

98xj

September 8th, 2009 at 10:28 PM ^

1) Re: rain shelter. Did you walk through the East Side Upper Concourse yet? If not, do so. The areas you see currently fenced/plywooded off will be open to the masses next year. Not sure if the new West Side Upper Concourse will be open to the masses or not.

2) Yes, the old pressbox (built in 1956) is coming down, to be replaced by ~2000 chairback seats.

3) Still undecided what happens to the old "Michigan Stadium" lettering, and if some replacement is coming. I agree that a larger version of those looming over the west side would be awesome.

bluebyyou

September 8th, 2009 at 5:16 AM ^

My seats are in Section 1, row in the upper 20's. After the first couple of plays everyone was talking about the noise level, and these are mostly old timers. I have been to most home games over the last several years, and noise levels were not close to what we heard last Saturday except Wisconsin last year and PSU about four years back. Against ND, if Michigan can pull a win or keep it close, noise levels will be deafening.

I thought the new stadium looks great, particularly the Crisler side. The Big House now has a very prominent vertical facade obvious from within and without. I remember when my wife first went to a Michigan game. Gee, she said, I thought the place would be intimidating, but it isn't. You can't say that anymore.

I didn't notice much difference in getting in or about, but then again, I like to get there at least an hour early and watch the teams warm up.

The one place the stadium is still weak, and I hope this changes next season, are our scoreboards. Way too small - need to be replaced by something modern.

bluebyyou

September 8th, 2009 at 5:21 AM ^

My seats are in Section 1, row in the upper 20's. After the first couple of plays everyone was talking about the noise level, and these are mostly old timers. I have been to most home games over the last several years, and noise levels were not close to what we heard last Saturday except Wisconsin last year and PSU about four years back. Against ND, if Michigan can pull a win or keep it close, noise levels will be deafening.

I thought the new stadium looks great, particularly the Crisler side. The Big House now has a very prominent vertical facade obvious from within and without. I remember when my wife first went to a Michigan game. Gee, she said, I thought the place would be intimidating, but it isn't. You can't say that anymore.

I didn't notice much difference in getting in or about, but then again, I like to get there at least an hour early and watch the teams warm up.

The one place the stadium is still weak, and I hope this changes next season, are our scoreboards. Way too small - need to be replaced by something modern.

AMazinBlue

September 8th, 2009 at 7:46 AM ^

reverberated throughout the stadium thanks to the new structures. Unfortunately, the band is no louder. For whatever reason its sound doesn't carry. During the haltime show I listened from my seats in section 44 row 33 and had a hard time hearing the band well.

When they are in the stands, of course we could hear them fine, I wonder how bad it is at the South end?

The experience was electric, everyone was very much into the game. There was a lot of support for Rich Rod which was great to see and hear.

I believe the ND game will be incredible. MAIZE OUT!

Cheri

September 8th, 2009 at 4:03 PM ^

I'm in sec 14, row 63. I couldn't hear the band at all. In previous years, you could sometimes hear the band. This year, not a single note was heard. The crowd noise was great and it really bounced off the new suites, but it drown out the band completely. (Plus, I swear the band gets smaller and smaller every year.)

misrara

September 8th, 2009 at 11:45 AM ^

Section 19 - flow was no different, the corner sections are smaller and it was easy to get into. Towers look good no complaints from me.

The noise was definitely louder but not deafening (i.e. Autzen Stadium). My test was during the reading of the letters M-I-C-H-I-G-A-N. You could never hear the section to the left of you because of the previous stadium acoustics, you could hear it now because of reverb off of the new facilities.

I am hoping they stick speakers on the new facilities as well to get the noise up even further.

Agreed on the band, they need to add some mics for the band to the stadium speakers because I can't hear anything but the opposing team's band (they are directly across from my section I give you that).

Guys keep the noise up - F$!%* the old people, make it loud! make it intimidating!

Go Blue