Getting into the Big House
Hey,
So I don't know if a topic about this has already been created, and if it has I'm sorry, I couldn't find it in the archives, but I was wondering if it's possible to get into the Big House right now just to look around and see the field and stuff. I'm in A2 for orientation Mon-Weds and I wanted to get a panoramic of the stadium to print / frame while its not filled with people.
Is it possible?
When I was a student I lived on Brown street and could see the stadium from my balcony. Sometimes we would go in the stadium after classes and run around on the field and attempt field goals and etc. It was great, getting to go down on the grass and people would use the stadium as part of their jogging route. They stopped leaving it open after 9-11 and beefed up the security there. However, I have heard rumors that they are starting to let people back in again. It would be worth a try, however, with the construction I doubt that the rumors I heard were true.
Well it's probably going to look pretty construction-y even if you can get in.
The stadium is normally locked and not accessible except during games. When there is an event at Crisler Arena you can generally get into the stadium since they share the same property and parking areas. So your best bet it to try to see if anything's happening at Crisler and then see if there is access despite the construction.
I remember back in high school while growing up in a2 some of my friends and myself would go there to throw the ball around and kick FGs. And i'm young, only 23 but i'm pretty sure that they don't allow that anymore unfortunately.
I don't think its open right now because of the construction. I could be wrong though.
The only time that I was able to get in, besides games, is after basketball games. You just have to leave through the western gates of Crisler. I imagine that getting in now would be twice as difficult due to construction. I'm not sayin' that you shouldn't try, I'm just sayin'.
Crisler. Not to be a Grammar Nazi, but mis-spelling Crisler Arena is one of my biggest pet peeves.
During the day there's probably no way you're going to get in and get very far before you're told to leave or are forcibly removed or threats of police calling happen.
After hours it's fairly easy to sneak in - I've heard there is a security guard there at night, but I've also heard a couple weeks ago a friend was able to get onto the field and drunkenly throw a football around.
It can't hurt to go down and try though. Maybe a construction guy will let you in to take the pics.
I have a pretty cool pic of the stadium empty at night. Shot me your email and I will forward it on. [email protected]
I haven't tried to enter the stadium on a non-gameday in years, but someone told me a couple of years ago that you could still do it during the season, as long as it wasn't the Thursday or Friday before a game. That was before the renovations started, though.
I got in last night. The stadium is locked do to construction, and has been for about the last 4 years, but I climbed the fence and proceeded to walk in and check out the new boxes on the east side of the stadium. Then I went do on the field and checked things out. I had never been in there by myself before, let alone at night, it was pretty awesome.
Which fence did you climb?
the one around the perimeter. You just have to look.
very informative, thanks.
on the west side of the stadium (main st side) would do the trick. It's just south of the tower, iirc.
There's a chainlink fence that meets a brick wall with a chainlink on top of it. Hop onto the brick wall, then hop the shorter fence that meets said wall.
Athleticism gets you over in all of six seconds. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.
A++++++++ WOULD BUY AGAIN!!!!
It's surprisingly easy to sneak in at night. It's absolutely stunning to see it at night and be on the field.
Were you listening to RAWK music and wearing a maize jersey while you were there?
I was a student from 2002-2206 and was able to walk right in several times between 2002-2004. We played an awesome game of tackle football in the snow there once, and a few other games on the field after they put in the turf. Ran stairs there a number of times too. They used to always leave it open, though you weren't supposed to be on the field.
I'm only responding so you can't edit your "2206" typo. It makes me laugh.
No need to make fun just because some of us aren't very good students. I know I'm not the first one to need 204 years to get my degree.
Besides, the fact that I'm from the future makes up for any deficits in school smarts
I responded to someone simply so they couldn't change "premium slut" to "premium slot" because that made me laugh. While doing this may make me a dick, I'd rather laugh and be a dick than be cool and not laugh.
Word.
it is locked up tight because it is a construction zone.
edit: up until they started renovations every year (redoing cement under bleachers and now the current upgrades) it has been open. I imagine it will open up to the public again once construction is complete.
I know I'm dating my old-ass self but my H.S. basketball team went to a game at Crisler during the General/Judge era and on a frozen January night our whole team walked into the stadium and onto the field.
I remember the stairs being completely iced over and the Astroturf mimicked the properties of the Brady Bunch backyard.
Ahh, the memories.
I've heard that late night, construction fence jumping works.
I love hearing about experiences people had down on the field. It's an entirely different feeling being down there, isn't it?
I'm lifting this from an old post of mine:
"A few friends and I practiced for IM flag football down on the field (Elbel & Palmer were full, so we tried it on a whim) once. It ranks among my top five favourite moments from undergrad."
octal9 - Yes, completely different than what I had imagined.
For whatever reason, both goal posts were still up and I remember my unsucessful attempts at dunking snowballs over the gp in the North end zone.
It's something I'll never forget.
Somewhere, I still have my Gary Grant autographed ticket stub from the hoops game that night.
I really miss being able to run the steps at the Stadium. Best workout ever, and probably the most humbling as well. I know most of the athletic teams used to use it for conditioning, and heard some insane stories about what the hockey team was required to do in the offseason. Something like running up and down every section in the Stadium in like 15 or 20 minutes. Just crazy, crazy stuff.
sometimes you can sneak in. in june 2004, after performing at the huron high commencement at crisler, a few of my friends and i snuck in and checked the stadium out at 10 PM. we didnt have to break in or climb any walls - the gates were open and a few other people were there. it was awesome in the moonlight.
Dummy up a Resume/Background . Rent a Limo. Use some Old School FLETCH like moves. Claim to be a wealthy UM Alumn interested in purchasing several Suites and request an Evening Tour? my guess it would be more fun than hopping fences. Plus just think of the Folklore stories you could tell your friends?
FYI don not use "Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago"
I may have a little insight into the no picture taking... I'm a construction management major and ws allowed to tour the construction as part of my sr design course. We were told ABSOLUTELY no pocture taking especially of those working. The reason for that is safety requirements that are sometimes unfulfilled ie harnesses and the liability that comes with failure to adhere to the standards and then problems with pictures out there of these noncompliances. Another reason is the method of construction, Barton mallow doesn't want other cm companies knowing how exactly they're building; you don't want the competition knowing the details of your work. Those combined w the obvious security issues all play a little into the non- picture stance taken by Barton mallow and u of m.
Last time I was on the field we beat OSU - so its been about 5 years... Hopefully that will change soon.
On a related note, me and a buddy were down in Gainesville on spring break in college. We hopped the fence there wasted and had a blast running around the stadium. We pissed on the welcome to the swamp sign, which made the security officers get off their asses and chase us out.
I still laugh everytime I see that sign on CBS.
I ran the steps at the Stadium every other day during the summer months from 1997 until 2002. It was great being able to spend that much time in such hallowed grounds!! I truly do miss those years.