Game day atmosphere for the opposition?
- Thread starter cp4psu
- Start date
Cp,
My Dad started taking me to games in 1976. I can count on one hand the number of issues we have had. You should be fine,especially with bringing a child. There were a very small amount of fans who were making an issue of the Sandusky scandal towards some Penn State fans. If you have ever been to a game at UConn,they are a ten on the horrible fan scale--we are maybe a 2.5. Just my opinion,but I have been to quite a few college football games at other schools. Hope you and your family decide to go.
My Dad started taking me to games in 1976. I can count on one hand the number of issues we have had. You should be fine,especially with bringing a child. There were a very small amount of fans who were making an issue of the Sandusky scandal towards some Penn State fans. If you have ever been to a game at UConn,they are a ten on the horrible fan scale--we are maybe a 2.5. Just my opinion,but I have been to quite a few college football games at other schools. Hope you and your family decide to go.
I really hope you wouldn't have any problems coming with a 12-year old. If you do I'd be utterly embarrassed for our fanbase. The only thing is you might hear some "F Penn State" chants coming from drunk undergrads; I'd hope that's the extent of issues you'd come across.
Agree with the above comments; other than hearing of some obscene language, you should be fine, especially with a child with you. That said, if you look for trouble, you'll find it.
2 years ago I saw a drunk student giving crap to a PSU family walking between the Yellow and Blue lots. Thing was the PSU dad looked like he could have crushed the kid with one hand but just laughed instead. A number of RU fans got in the middle pushing the drunk kid away and apologized to the family. I heard the guy say something to the effect...no problem, there are jerks at every stadium and continued on his way with a bunch of new "friends" tagging along.
Similar to the story above, tailgating in Yellow lot and some Penn. St kids were drunk and getting into it with some older RU fans, An older Penn St father got into their faces and they moved on.
Just like in any stadium when you are the visitor, don't go crazy if winning and get in the fans around you faces. Being with a child you will have no problem at all.
Just like in any stadium when you are the visitor, don't go crazy if winning and get in the fans around you faces. Being with a child you will have no problem at all.
I will say I saw a lot of nastiness 2 yrs ago and I think that was more because we hadn't played them in so long. The build up to that game was ridiculous and months and months in the making too. In my opinion this game should be a lot more tame fan wise so like others said it should be ok. On the flip side I would say a psu game is the one I would be a little more cautious about going to than any other one. There is still a lot of vitriol towards them so that of course opens it more for knucklehead kind of stuff. If it were my 12 year old kid I think I would be on the fence - just my opinion.
I was at the PSU game last year and 98% of PSU fans were great but the other 2% sticks out in my mind. I imagine it's the same here for visiting PSU fans. It is a night game and you have to expect that you will hear a lot of the f penn state chants. But this isn't the Midwest and those types of chants are the type of thing you would expect to hear at any big game Rangers/Yankees/nyc sporting event.
There were plenty of photos posted of Penn State hanging out and having fun with Rutgers fans.
There will always be idiots but you should be fine.
There will always be idiots but you should be fine.
If you're really nervous, come in plain black or white gear, then put on some Nitts gear if you don't see any problems.
in all honesty I think of us as similar to Nebraska. we're friendly in an uncomfortable way, so welcoming that its odd. I have seen 3 "incidents" in 10+ years...1) an Arkansas family getting too loud, and then getting real quiet upon losing (on a scale of 1 to 10 they were a 0.5), 2) Ohio State taking over 25% of the stadium....pissed some in my section off, i was more annoyed that the die hards sold out (2.25/10), 3) PSU vs. RU in 2014. there were a lot of sellouts, but really no incidents. PSU fans near me were pretty respectful, maybe a 3/10
In addituon to the above comments I would add
Just don't say that Joe did everything he was supposed to & you will be fine.
Just don't say that Joe did everything he was supposed to & you will be fine.
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That last game was a great atmosphere. Lots of PSU fans mixed in with RU fans partying .
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I went to the PSU game last year. I was welcomed and treated better by PSU fans than I ever have been by Rutgers fans. Not that Rutgers fans have treated me poorly. Just the hospitality of their fans blew me away.
As for coming to our stadium with a 12 year old you'll be fine as long as you are respectful
Personally, I did not see the nastiness that was reported from the game 2 years ago. We have drunken fools like everyone else, but I really don't think, as a group, that we compare in drunken/nastiness to some others, e.g., UCONN FB fans. Try to get a good parking spot, close as possible to the stadium, and you should be fine. Hope you come.
We got parked close to a large group of PSU fans in the Blue Lot 2 years ago. I don't recall seeing any issues pop up (other than the fact that all of us got thoroughly soaked by the forecasted "intermittent" rain showers), and everyone seemed to get along fine.
Yup. Get ready for the onslaught of negative letters from North Jersey Penn State parents to the Bergen Record again because they have to park a mile away from the stadium instead of just moving the game to Giants Stadium.
OP, you'll be fine. There will be a LOT of Penn State fans in the tailgates. Many more multiples than who will be inside. We can't take them all on.
Jut like any venue there are going to be some bad apples. If your smart you can avoid 99% of problems. Don't walk through people tailgate. If you see a big rowdy tailgate even if it means walking 100 yards out of your way just walk around. Don't be obnoxious cheering on your team. Just like hearing hail to victors every 5 minutes is annoying so is someone screaming we are. Don't feel the need to "educate" some opposing fan on what happened with Sandusky. If your offended by the occasional f-bomb or a t-shirt that says Joe Knew then stay home. If you follow this you will have no problem. If you run into the 1% that are jerks use it as a life lesson for your daughter on how not to behave and drinking responsibly. Don't try and escalate or correct the person.
Just realize that RU fans hate Pen St, a lot.
But it's not like you will be at WVU where there is a good chance of being physically assaulted.
But it's not like you will be at WVU where there is a good chance of being physically assaulted.
I been to several Penn State WVU games and never had a problem. In fact they were very helpful.
I think this is just about applicable to any visiting fan anywhere.
Also, I've been to almost countless Rutgers games and a number of NFL games; IMO the NFL games were 1000X more problematic in the stands than any Rutgers game I've been to. You get some goony behavior like you do anywhere but RU games are fairly solid.
Joe P.
I've been to many games at the Stadium and just about NEVER have I ever had problems with fans from the opposing teams ... EXCEPT for PSU and Michigan. Perhaps it was the number of fans in attendance but on the ramps, both before and after the games, there were many fans using crude language in an attempt to bait RU fans into fights (verbal or otherwise). I should also make the disclaimer that there were plenty of nice, well-behaved Michigan fans. Can't say the same for that team from Pennsylvania.
I disagree with this. Although I have seen back and forth between opposing fans, I have never seen anyone aim abuse at kids. And I'm pretty damn sure Rutgers folks would get in the middle of it immediately if it happened.
It's such a hard thing to predict, all you need is one abusive drunk to ruin the experience, and that can happen. Still, it's likely to be fine, especially if you sit in the Penn St section away from the students.
Also, it will be much easier for us to treat you well when we're up by 35.
Also, it will be much easier for us to treat you well when we're up by 35.
^^^this^^^ there are a lot of "mixed marriages" that showed at the tailgates... navy blue and red, eating and drinking together. jerks will be jerks. Drunks will be drunks. Rutgers is generally one of the more family friendly pregames and they have worked to make it so.. creating a "Kids Zone", deals for peewee teams and scouts and so on.
One of the funnier things I have seen was when a bunch of fans were passing a Michigan tailgate in the Black lot. One of the group stopped and starting giving the Michigan fans good natured crap about their record and Hoke. When he said we've owned you guys someone said RU has never played Michigan what are you talking about? With that the guy opened his jacket to reveal an OSU jersey. Everyone on all sides laughed and both Michigan and RU fans started booing the guy and high 5ing each other.
I have been going to RU football games since I was five and my Mom decided to go back to school to get her degree from Rutgers. My Mother, Sister, girlfriends, and friends have all experienced some level of groping by middle aged drunk men either getting to their seats or getting "bumped" as they wait on lines and walk through the corridors. There are plenty of guys with very loose hands at those games. I would not bring a 12 year old girl dressed in Penn State gear to a Rutgers home game, but to each his own I guess.
I can tell you that I had a niece and nephew with me at the last game at Rutgers age 13 and 11. Drunken Rutgers student asked my nephew if his daddy abused him. Maybe DJ Spanky is ok with that, but not a single Rutgers fan spoke up. I might go back one day, but I would NEVER go with kids.
Sorry you had a bad experience but let's not make believe it doesn't happy everywhere. Oh and based on your posting history
I don't believe you.
