Advice for attending Maryland game

Submitted by Optimism Attache on
I've got tickets for the game at Maryland October 3rd. I live in the DC area and this will be my first Michigan road game. I was wondering if any folks who have watched a night game at the legendary Byrd Stadium might be able to offer some tips to maximize our game day experience. Based on an informal survey, I think the stadium may literally be half Michigan fans, so that'll certainly help!
MGoBoard
Football

JClay

July 23rd, 2015 at 9:56 PM ^

I also would like some feedback from anyone who's been there before. Lots of tickets on the visitors side just a few rows from field on stubhub for reasonable prices but all listed as obstructed view. But image search for stadium shows no poles or anything like that. Is it just that the seats are down low and weird angles or am I missing something?



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 09/14/2010

MGoPoints: 13753

TrueLT

July 23rd, 2015 at 9:57 PM ^

Like he said it's gorgeous, but they tend to be a much more fun tailgating destination during basketball season from my experiences there

Joined: 08/09/2011

MGoPoints: 514

Blue Crab

July 24th, 2015 at 7:34 AM ^

parking is free on weekends ... then take the free shuttle bus to a coiple blocks from the stadium. The buses are outside the parking structure where the Metro buses stop.

Joined: 10/27/2014

MGoPoints: 669

Yo_Blue

July 24th, 2015 at 7:54 AM ^

What about taking the Metro from DC?  Is it convenient for getting near the stadium?  We are stayiing in the District for a couple days beforehand.

Joined: 08/24/2010

MGoPoints: 102604

superstringer

July 24th, 2015 at 8:53 AM ^

UMd's camps is ugly. If it has any personality, its more like a southern school. It simply does not feel BigTenish.

Plan to spend more time in DC so you at least you feel you got something out of the weekend. But dont go to see the Skins game--dont give your money to Darth Danny, he has plenty.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18198

PGDC

July 24th, 2015 at 9:38 AM ^

All-

A few die-hard friends and fellow MGoBloggers were considering getting a bus to take a group of us there.  Most of the folks I talked with live in DC proper (most on Capitol Hill) but maybe we could use the lot at RFK and meet there?  If there is interest we can revisit in a few weeks.  Heading out of town now...

Joined: 09/24/2008

MGoPoints: 53

L'Carpetron Do…

July 24th, 2015 at 9:40 AM ^

I second the suggestion to take a stroll through campus before the game. I went to the Iowa-Maryland game last October and walked around a little in the morning and it was quite pleasant.  

Metro isn't that close (why they would build it so far from the university I'll never know) but there is a shuttle that can get crazy crowded.  

The tailgate scene seemed pretty fun and I think overall it was a good game day experience.

Natty Boh', hon.  Put some Ol' Bay on there....

Joined: 03/15/2010

MGoPoints: 8664

now_a_hoo

July 24th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^

I went to the UVa game there in 2011 and have a few observations. 1. If you are at all transit-savvy there's no reason to drive. The free shuttle from the CP metro station couldn't be easier. 2. Maryland fans have a terrible reputation, but I didn't take any grief for wearing UVa stuff. We did win by three scores in an empty stadium, which helped, I'm sure. 3. Those obstructed-view field-level seats are in fact really obstructed.

Joined: 01/29/2010

MGoPoints: 68

imgoingblue

July 24th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^

DC alumni club president here. FYI we are selling tickets to the game until Sunday at http://www.umdc.org the alumni association also is hosting a ticketed tailgate that starts at five. Through the umterps site you can buy parking in advance. I'm a Maryland season ticket holder and it is a fun game day experience. Very friendly fans who are happy to be a part of the big ten for football. We are also considering doing one bus from DC but that is still in the works. So far we have sold over 2,000 tickets. This game will be a very fun time.

Joined: 10/12/2011

MGoPoints: 60

alnike

July 24th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^

Was in DC a few years back and took the train to College Park to check it out in the summer time.  Seemed like a nice campus with more of a Southern feel to it (ACC-ish).

I think the  Metro is fairly close by.   Also have a Chick-Fil-A on campus in their union.

Joined: 05/19/2011

MGoPoints: 183

Harbaugh13

July 24th, 2015 at 4:14 PM ^

I actually attended UMD. I grew up in Ann Arbor and so the move to the Big Ten causes me to be an emotional wreck when UMD and MI play each other.  I'll give you the best guide/novel since this will be most people's first time and can guide future road trips.

Public Transportation:

Easily accessible via the College Park Metro on the green line (2nd to last stop before Greenbelt). From there it is about a 25 minute walk through old College Park and Frat Row. It's a reasonably nice walk and you'll get to see alot of the Greek life tailgates. 

If you're wanting to drive, I would recommend driving to the Greenbelt metro and parking there. Just take the metro one more stop and you'll save yourself the headache of traffic

Bars

RJ Bentleys- If you want to get the quintessential Maryland experience you can't do better than Bents

Cornerstone- 2nd best

Looneys- chain bar so nothing particularly unique but older crowd

Our golf course has a bar and is within walking distance. You should head there if you're more into the sophisticated crowd.

Blaze- the Chipotle of pizza. Check it out

Gameday Experience

It's going to be hot. Very hot. Be prepared to see the southern side of Maryland when you see the gals wearing sundresses and guys wearing polos. However, most of Maryland is New Jersey south so feel prepared for that element. 

We also just got beer service at the games. Aim for the local brews and you won't be disappointed. Heavy Seas is a good solid gameday beer.

Ending

You'll have a good time at Maryland if you have the right mindset. Don't stray too far from campus as it can get rough. Maryland's ODK mall should provide some great photos for your trip

 

 

 

 

Joined: 07/24/2015

MGoPoints: 63

marathon95

July 24th, 2015 at 5:39 PM ^

They had their biggest crowd since 2008. They dont di big attendance well. it took forever to find a parking spot. Everyone to areas the required parking passes. I had to walk a long way campus. Stadium is nice fans were nice probably cause they were outnumbered. I will go back

Joined: 11/05/2008

MGoPoints: 169