Ryan Field Getting Renovated





I wonder if they'll keep the grass turf? Turf fields are becoming scarce in the Upper Midwest.
They seem to like to grow it long and so on. I hope they keep it, but wouldn't be surpised to see it change.
 


They seem to like to grow it long and so on. I hope they keep it, but wouldn't be surpised to see it change.
I'd like to see TCF be grass but I'm dumb like that. Seems like it would be pretty simple since the season ends in November. Maybe they'd need the heating Coyle's back in after they were removed? I dunno.
 


I visited Ryan Field once. It was about as electric as a potato. The pre-game atmosphere consisted of a hot dog stand (solid hot dog sandwich) and I saw 1 person carrying a case of beer. There weren't bars or restaurants nearby to drink at. It was a miserable experience and somehow more miserable game. The highlight was going back to Chicago.
 




I’ll be curious to see what they come up with. Lots of possibilities and considering how awful that stadium is now, it is bound to improve a lot. And yes, there should be plenty more jokes and memes related to it all being for a better visiting rival fan experience.
 

I visited Ryan Field once. It was about as electric as a potato. The pre-game atmosphere consisted of a hot dog stand (solid hot dog sandwich) and I saw 1 person carrying a case of beer. There weren't bars or restaurants nearby to drink at. It was a miserable experience and somehow more miserable game. The highlight was going back to Chicago.
I am trying convince my brother to go the game this year, in and out in one day. It's one of the last B1G stadiums I haven't been too -- my wife and I were supposed to finally get Indiana out of the way this year but she due two weeks prior.
 

Count me in the minority of folks who enjoy the Ryan Field experience - because of many the quirky things/features mentioned in this string. It is a different vibe/experience to be certain, and many teams have had dreams of a special season dashed there. Regardless of record, we will need to be ready and prepared on 10/30. I know I have plans to attend.
 

Count me in the minority of folks who enjoy the Ryan Field experience - because of many the quirky things/features mentioned in this string. It is a different vibe/experience to be certain, and many teams have had dreams of a special season dashed there. Regardless of record, we will need to be ready and prepared on 10/30. I know I have plans to attend.
I also don't mind Ryan Field. It definitely isn't bells + whistles but parking along Lake Michigan and walking through the residential streets to the stadium has a nostalgic feel.
 



I visited Ryan Field once. It was about as electric as a potato. The pre-game atmosphere consisted of a hot dog stand (solid hot dog sandwich) and I saw 1 person carrying a case of beer. There weren't bars or restaurants nearby to drink at. It was a miserable experience and somehow more miserable game. The highlight was going back to Chicago.
After one of our trips to Ryan field, while walking around campus, we saw a couple of college students and asked where the bars were. They looked at us like we were crazy and after a lengthy pause of looking at each other, responded with "we don't know". Only Northwestern.
 


I'd like to see TCF be grass but I'm dumb like that. Seems like it would be pretty simple since the season ends in November. Maybe they'd need the heating Coyle's back in after they were removed? I dunno.
I don't think many fans prefer the fake stuff, but the lower maintenance costs and increased usage they can get with the Field Turf makes grass at the Bank unlikely.
 


In another thread, there was compelling evidence posted both from NFL research and another source showing more knee tears on turf than grass.

Thing is, here, Chicago, etc., hard to keep the grass in good condition. Even the Bears struggle later in the year.

I feel like crappy grass, especially new sod that slides out in big chunks, is worse than turf in that respect.
 


After one of our trips to Ryan field, while walking around campus, we saw a couple of college students and asked where the bars were. They looked at us like we were crazy and after a lengthy pause of looking at each other, responded with "we don't know". Only Northwestern.
On my first trip to Evanston for a football game, and the only time I stayed there, I asked an old timer why there were so few places to get a drink there. Turns out Evanston was a dry town until the 70's and since then there have been strict limits on the number of liquor licenses, the types of establishments that can get a liquor license, a prohibition on transferring licenses, etc.
 

I visited Ryan Field once. It was about as electric as a potato. The pre-game atmosphere consisted of a hot dog stand (solid hot dog sandwich) and I saw 1 person carrying a case of beer. There weren't bars or restaurants nearby to drink at. It was a miserable experience and somehow more miserable game. The highlight was going back to Chicago.
For a several years they had a pregame party over on the baseball field where you'd get tickets for two free Goose Islands just for walking through the gate. Rumor has it some folks found a way to walk through the gate more than once.
 


Count me in the minority of folks who enjoy the Ryan Field experience - because of many the quirky things/features mentioned in this string. It is a different vibe/experience to be certain, and many teams have had dreams of a special season dashed there. Regardless of record, we will need to be ready and prepared on 10/30. I know I have plans to attend.
Quirky is ok... when it is someone else's stadium ;)
 

Can't think of a better use for $480 million...
😯😯😯
 

$480 Million. I hope the Ryan's put themselves in the transfer portal so we can adopt them as Gopher Boosters.
 

$480M...Twice the cost of TCF and almost half the cost of US Bank Stadium or other brand new NFL stadiums. Steep to renovate a place that's just poured concrete and bleachers for the most part. But it's kind of the Ryans to buy the rest of the Big Ten fans a nice place to visit.

Plenty of money now to buy a lawn mower.
 

$480M...Twice the cost of TCF and almost half the cost of US Bank Stadium or other brand new NFL stadiums. Steep to renovate a place that's just poured concrete and bleachers for the most part. But it's kind of the Ryans to buy the rest of the Big Ten fans a nice place to visit.

Plenty of money now to buy a lawn mower.
That's the size of their gift, some of which will be earmarked for other projects. There isn't a budget for the stadium renovations cited in the article linked by the OP.

I like the idea of a Gophers-Wildcats match-up at Soldier Field during the construction.
 

I visited Ryan Field once. It was about as electric as a potato. The pre-game atmosphere consisted of a hot dog stand (solid hot dog sandwich) and I saw 1 person carrying a case of beer. There weren't bars or restaurants nearby to drink at. It was a miserable experience and somehow more miserable game. The highlight was going back to Chicago.
We had a blast in 2019. Did a day trip. Yes the stadium was half full but there were a lot of Gopher fans. We asked the locals where to go after the game that was close, and they directed us to two bars within a short walk. Both were full but not packed, and had a good mix of Gopher and Wildcat fans. Had a few drinks and appetizers while chatting it up with others there. Did rideshare from the airport right to the stadium, and then from the bar back to the airport. Super fun!
 


Been down there for 3 games. Gophers won two of them. That said, hope the concessions and rest rooms get some of that $480M. They can really use it.
 
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