Game day fan experience observations :

[srru86]

For one of the few times I can recall visiting fans in Section 126 nearly started an fight and almost got ejected. I'm not sure why they didn't other than once the ushers showed up they changed their tune right quick.

The fact that the other guys got tickets in prime real estate not unusual but rarely quite so young, mouthy, and drunk.

 

[MrsScrew]

this was taken from behind the student section just after kick off. The students, at least in the center section were all there. Please note the many empty seats directly across in the north zone as well as the upper corners of both sides of the stadium and the lower section on the west side.

 

[RUPete]

Regarding the ATV guys: I was in Yellow at the end of one row near the gravel driveway exit. They pulled up, looked down our row and realized they couldn't get through. He looked like he wanted to cry for a second but thankfully he turned around and decided not to hassle everyone. If someone truly needs to get through, we are all going to move our stuff anyway, why do you need to blow through there just to prove a point?

 

[MrsScrew]

Regarding the ATV guys: I was in Yellow at the end of one row near the gravel driveway exit. They pulled up, looked down our row and realized they couldn't get through. He looked like he wanted to cry for a second but thankfully he turned around and decided not to hassle everyone. If someone truly needs to get through, we are all going to move our stuff anyway, why do you need to blow through there just to prove a point?

that was the exact conversation I had with the powers that be and he agreed. Which is why the ATV's are supposed to patrol the perimeter and the aisles are patrolled on foot.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

That motherf*cker almost got me tazed 2 years ago.

Gonna need backstory here...

 

[MrsScrew]

Gonna need backstory here...

lamb. charcoal grill. lamb drippings." small" fire in grill. police department. fire department. almost tazed. it's a pretty simple story.

 

[mildone]

Agree 100% about the band - I thought they were so quiet because of the video game theme. They lost the crowd halfway through and people just started talking over them which wasnt at all difficult to do.

We need to ask the fans not to wear such sound absorbent clothing.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

For one of the few times I can recall visiting fans in Section 126 nearly started an fight and almost got ejected. I'm not sure why they didn't other than once the ushers showed up they changed their tune right quick.

The fact that the other guys got tickets in prime real estate not unusual but rarely quite so young, mouthy, and drunk.

@srru86, I sit in 125, row 14 near the aisle of 124, and saw a commotion involving security and a lot of Rutgers fans pointing at a couple of lower-20-something guys dressed in neither team's colors, who were removed from their seats and most likely ejected. They were quickly forgotten. Must suck to make the effort and go through the expense of going to an away game and get thrown out in the first half.

 

[fg7321]

Exit traffic out of Green was ridiculous took one hour and the traffic attendant was not helping at all . In fact he was making it worse letting scarlet folks out and kept green lot waiting forever. then people started to drive over the grass to get into scarlet. I go down 18 making a left onto river road which was not backed up all of the traffic was making a right onto river.

Complete cluster....

 

[mildone]

That motherf*cker almost got me tazed 2 years ago.

Damn? :D

 

[RutgersRaRa]

lamb. charcoal grill. lamb drippings." small" fire in grill. police department. fire department. almost tazed. it's a pretty simple story.

Imagine a grill having, ya know, some fire in it. WTF was 4Real thinking? Maybe they should have skipped steps 1-5 and just tazed the lamb.

 

[srru86]

@srru86, I sit in 125, row 14 near the aisle of 124, and saw a commotion involving security and a lot of Rutgers fans pointing at a couple of lower-20-something guys dressed in neither team's colors, who were removed from their seats and most likely ejected. They were quickly forgotten. Must suck to make the effort and go through the expense of going to an away game and get thrown out in the first half.

Yes, I did not actually see that, other than a bunch of people stood up in 125 to get a view of that fracas.

 

[hoquat63]

One of the kiosks had two sizes of hot chocolate - small $3, large $5. Guy I saw in the stands was selling smalls - $3.

 

[scarletbergen]

LOUD!

 

[MrsScrew]

Imagine a grill having, ya know, some fire in it. WTF was 4Real thinking? Maybe they should have skipped steps 1-5 and just tazed the lamb.

well it was slightly more than "some fire" but definitely way below needing a pump truck and 6 firemen...

 

[RUskoolie]

People are surprised the student section wasn't filled at kickoff for an 8pm kickoff against the #4 team in the country and a blackout game? I wonder why...

 

[MrsScrew]

People are surprised the student section wasn't filled at kickoff for an 8pm kickoff against the #4 team in the country and a blackout game? I wonder why...

actually I was surprised the entire stadium wasn't filled at kickoff or anytime thereafter for an 8pm game against the #4 team in the country. there were tons of open seats in the upper corners and in the North Zone, far from the students.

 

[RUmaz]

Got our hot chocolate pre game at stand near section 127. Two for $6. Seemed to be large size.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

actually I was surprised the entire stadium wasn't filled at kickoff or anytime thereafter for an 8pm game against the #4 team in the country. there were tons of open seats in the upper corners and in the North Zone, far from the students.

I think some, or perhaps many, of those fans work their way down to the lower level. It could be that students, or friends of students, buy the cheapest ticket available to get into the stadium and sneak into the student section. Just a hunch based on what some folks on here have said. Or people just stayed home and watched it on TV.

 

[RU1977]

• upper corners of the stadium were pretty empty and I noticed a lot of empty seats in the North Zone

• Sparty traveled VERY well. almost every Sparty fan we talked to traveled here from Michigan.

• we were loud. very loud. even those around me in our section, who never stand, were up on their feet making noise.

• Standing on the sidelines for the National Anthem I could hardly hear the band.

• I was in the Blue Lot at 8a they were only filling row 3 at 2pm which was pretty surprising..

• We didn't see a cop in the Blue Lot until way after 3pm and even then it was only a few of them and not even the regular guy

• Port-a-Johns weren't cleaned in blue until around 1pm. I am thrilled to have a real bathroom to use in Blue.

• While on the sidelines I had a long chat with the guy who trains the horse who told me, among other things that it takes the horse a little while every year after his Florida vacation to readjust to all of the noise and flags and such and that he, the trainer, frequently wears the Knight outfit and rides the horse out.

• I thought the students, at least in the middle section , were in their seats in plenty of time. The 2 side sections did not fill in until later

• and not to sound like @AreYouNUTS but the band has totally shrunk...they don't even fill in the section they are given in the stands.

Usually get to watch the game from the sidelines?

Very nice!

 

[MrsScrew]

Usually get to watch the game from the sidelines?

Very nice!

ha, no, I wish. I won a RU twitter contest last week. the prize was 4 free tix to Maryland and pregame sideline passes for the MSU game ( I think they screwed up there and the passes should have been for the MD game but I wasn't going to point that out to them). It was pretty sweet. I was hoping security didn't notice our passes were only for pregame but the swooped right down on us at kickoff to tell us (politely) that we needed to get off the field.

 

[MrsScrew]

I think some, or perhaps many, of those fans work their way down to the lower level. It could be that students, or friends of students, buy the cheapest ticket available to get into the stadium and sneak into the student section. Just a hunch based on what some folks on here have said. Or people just stayed home and watched it on TV.

the north zone, lower level was never filled. ever. the entire game. the upper corners were never filled. ever. these people are not sneaking down anywhere. they just didn't show up. I know the upper corner on the South side was filled with MSU fans because apparently section 206 over to the corner is now visiting fan territory. and so was the upper section of 208. I sat next to 2 MSU people in 207 who said they got those seats through the MSU ticket office which was rather disturbing to me.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

the north zone, lower level was never filled. ever. the entire game. the upper corners were never filled. ever. these people are not sneaking down anywhere. they just didn't show up. I know the upper corner on the South side was filled with MSU fans because apparently section 206 over to the corner is now visiting fan territory. and so was the upper section of 208. I sat next to 2 MSU people in 207 who said they got those seats through the MSU ticket office which was rather disturbing to me.

Word on the street is the upper levels missed your presence and worked their way down toward the sideline. In other words, the Mayor has become the Pied Piper on her way to becoming Queen.

 

[MrsScrew]

Word on the street is the upper levels missed your presence and worked their way down toward the sideline. In other words, the Mayor has become the Pied Piper on her way to becoming Queen.

I was only on the sidelines until kickoff then it was back up to 207. Mayor....Queen...Pied Piper. I really need a job in the athletic department.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

I was only on the sidelines until kickoff then it was back up to 207. Mayor....Queen...Pied Piper. I really need a job in the athletic department.

Let's brainstorm and create one for you. Or we can start a 501(c)3 and collect donations to fund the position. I'll handle the website and youtube channel.

 

[TM514]

I arrived @5pm, thought I would be in rear of Purple Lot. To my surprise was able to park near the Werblin section of the Purple Lot. Blue lot was half empty at 5pm. Never seen that before. I got bumped to Purple from Blue and will make sure this never occurs again.

Seems like many people got bumped down this year.

 

[RUskoolie]

actually I was surprised the entire stadium wasn't filled at kickoff or anytime thereafter for an 8pm game against the #4 team in the country. there were tons of open seats in the upper corners and in the North Zone, far from the students.

That didn't really surprise me. Unfortunately, that's the risk we run with dynamic pricing and when you have our season blow up in August. The student section was "sold out" it was just a matter of how long it took them to get into their seats and why.

 

[KnightHound]

Wow, what a great day! Arrived in the Blue lot around 2 as was suprised to be able to back into the front row. Would have been there sooner but the guy with the pig in his truck forgot his parking pass and had to turn around.

So after setting up our mobile pig roast, the gracious Mrs. Screw stops by and introduced herself. It was great swaping food, drinks and tailgating ideas with her crew.

Minimal police presence and no atv's up and down the isles, thanks again Mrs Screw.
Once again, nothing matches the energy of the Blue lot before a big game! Even the Mich st fans parked by us were amazed at the scene. Lots of fun with new and old friends in front. Three words sum it up: double shot ski.

Although not a sellout, the game features all of the energy and passion that big time college football is about. The outcome was not what we had hoped for but I left the blue lot sometime after midnight feeling that we still have something great going on here. It's only a matter of time before we take the "next step".

 

[SanFranRutgers]

That motherf*cker almost got me tazed 2 years ago.

Early nominee for Post of the Year.

 

[3hs]

Wow, what a great day! Arrived in the Blue lot around 2 as was suprised to be able to back into the front row. Would have been there sooner but the guy with the pig in his truck forgot his parking pass and had to turn around.

So after setting up our mobile pig roast, the gracious Mrs. Screw stops by and introduced herself. It was great swaping food, drinks and tailgating ideas with her crew.

Minimal police presence and no atv's up and down the isles, thanks again Mrs Screw.
Once again, nothing matches the energy of the Blue lot before a big game! Even the Mich st fans parked by us were amazed at the scene. Lots of fun with new and old friends in front. Three words sum it up: double shot ski.

Although not a sellout, the game features all of the energy and passion that big time college football is about. The outcome was not what we had hoped for but I left the blue lot sometime after midnight feeling that we still have something great going on here. It's only a matter of time before we take the "next step".

I agree. I only get up for a game once a year or so. The "game day experience" we have created is on par with everyone. I left the game feeling okay as well and look forward to great wins in the future.

 

[Local Shill]

Exit traffic out of Green was ridiculous took one hour and the traffic attendant was not helping at all . In fact he was making it worse letting scarlet folks out and kept green lot waiting forever. then people started to drive over the grass to get into scarlet. I go down 18 making a left onto river road which was not backed up all of the traffic was making a right onto river.

Complete cluster....

Same as it ever was. The traffic attendants are either clueless or are told what to do by people who are clueless (but get paid more).

 

[brgossRU90]

PS - Don't stop believing is the most overplayed song ever at RU. Wolf of Wall Street chest pound is great too.

At least it's not that mother f ck ing white stripes song that gets played to death at every single college football game I watch. It makes me wish that band had never formed.

 

[Scarlet16E]

Now that we have had a "Big Game", I'm willing to concede that the Blue lot is not being filled. Yellow either.
It does not make sense that they would hold back passes in hopes of getting larger donations. The whole blind-auction that occurs each year with priority points is already designed to do that. I honestly do not understand why 1/3 of the Blue lot is roped off. I was 2 points from being bumped to purple this year, and I know several who have been bumped from one lot or another.

I can only conclude that a large number of passes to the most desirable lots are going unused, even for a game against a top 5 team. I understand that some passes for these lots may be given to corporate sponsors. If that's the case and they are not being used then this needs to stop as well.

A USE IT OR LOSE IT policy needs to be started with parking passes.
They need to start scanning parking pass barcodes, and if a pass is not used for at least ~50% of the games it should not be sold to the same person the following year.
Anyone who is issued a parking pass that is not scanned at a minimum of 3 games during the season, will not be sold a pass in the current year. If a person had two parking passes and one of them was not used (at least at 3 games), then they are only able to buy one pass this year.

In other words: use it or lose it.

 

[fearson05]

"Black lot was packed"?
My friend got bumped to Silver Lot this year, and when walking up to the stadium we were shocked that it looked like Black Lot was completely empty. Its been great getting road-side parking and tailgating between the car and trees in previous years but the road-side parking for Black Lot was sparsely populated 20 mins before kickoff.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

Early nominee for Post of the Year.

Actually we're in October, so there's a good body of work to compare it to. Gonna need to start keeping track.

 

[mikebal9]

I had an awesome time, but one thing that did annoy me...whats with the fans leaving with 43 seconds left? We're about to get the ball (and actually did get into a decent scoring position), and people are walking out. Is that 43 seconds really going to make or break the traffic for you?

 

[KnightHound]

The parking policy is really mind boggling. We qualified for seven passes this year, 5 Blue 2 Yellow. We called and tried to tell the ticket office we would take all blue. We'll they said no, and we had to to the wheel and deal on the ticket exchange. Just doesnt make sense if the lots are under sold.

 

[Piscataway]

"Black lot was packed"?
My friend got bumped to Silver Lot this year, and when walking up to the stadium we were shocked that it looked like Black Lot was completely empty. Its been great getting road-side parking and tailgating between the car and trees in previous years but the road-side parking for Black Lot was sparsely populated 20 mins before kickoff.

Which black lot and what time? The main lot was packed but it didn't get that way till about 4.

 

[fearson05]

Which black lot and what time? The main lot was packed but it didn't get that way till about 4.

The parking along Bevier Road & Brett Road, we would usually park along the road side there the last 10 years or so.

The lot we had to cut through that is off of Brett Road was packed, but there were hardly any cars parked along the road. Has that been typical this year? Maybe that was one of the intentions of the parking changes was to reduce the road-side parking?

 

[Rutgers25]

Now that we have had a "Big Game", I'm willing to concede that the Blue lot is not being filled. Yellow either.
It does not make sense that they would hold back passes in hopes of getting larger donations. The whole blind-auction that occurs each year with priority points is already designed to do that. I honestly do not understand why 1/3 of the Blue lot is roped off. I was 2 points from being bumped to purple this year, and I know several who have been bumped from one lot or another.

I can only conclude that a large number of passes to the most desirable lots are going unused, even for a game against a top 5 team. I understand that some passes for these lots may be given to corporate sponsors. If that's the case and they are not being used then this needs to stop as well.

A USE IT OR LOSE IT policy needs to be started with parking passes.
They need to start scanning parking pass barcodes, and if a pass is not used for at least ~50% of the games it should not be sold to the same person the following year.
Anyone who is issued a parking pass that is not scanned at a minimum of 3 games during the season, will not be sold a pass in the current year. If a person had two parking passes and one of them was not used (at least at 3 games), then they are only able to buy one pass this year.

In other words: use it or lose it.

I'm pretty confident that RU's strategy is to get people to donate even more if they were cut out of a lot. That's the whole point of artificially limiting supply. They can do what they want but all it does to me is to increase the probability of me not getting a parking pass at all and parking in Johnson park, the church, etc.