[jcmanson]

With our expansion, where does our stadium rank in all of FCS? Is it the nicest? Top 3? Top 5? Top 10?

Take into consideration size, amenities, ability to expand, etc.

[Kolzilla41]

If we can get 95% capacity sold this season, I would say Top Five. I think on just construction alone and all of the new kiosks, Top 10.

[jcmanson]

here's a list of FCS stadiums, not sure how up to date it is though:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NC ... l_stadiums

[SumItUp]

I think it is definitely a Top 10 facility. There are some aspects of it (press tower, scoreboard, FOC, turf) that would put it in the Top 3). The intangible that comes with a facility grade is the crowd. A sold out stadium of 25K is the reason that Montana's Washington - Grizzly Stadium will remain a Top 10 facility in FCS for awhile. Within 4 years, if we have a sold-out stadium of 30K for each home game, Williams Stadium will move to the top of the list in FCS.

[olldflame]

As far as capacity is concerned, I counted at least 20 higher than ours, and several larger than we will be after all phases of our expansion are complete. I really don't think that means much.

[jcmanson]

Just off the top of my head some that should be considered - App State, Montana, JMU, Harvard, Penn

[jcmanson]

Are we talking facility or atmosphere? The completed Williams will be top 5 in actual facility quality. We aren't really there yet in terms of atmosphere.

All things considered - top stadiums to watch a game in FCS

And I beg to differ on your atmosphere point. Name 5 that are better.

[Cider Jim]

Thanks for the link, Manson. I had no idea that there were 26 teams that had I-AA stadiums that seated 20,000 or more. I figured most were in the 10,000-15,000 range.

What will LU's stadium capacity be in September? Is 19,500 correct?

[jcmanson]

Thanks for the link, Manson. I had no idea that there were 26 teams that had I-AA stadiums that seated 20,000 or more. I figured most were in the 10,000-15,000 range.

What will LU's stadium capacity be in September? Is 19,500 correct?

You also have to take into consideration where some of those teams play. For example, Georgia State plays at the Georgia Dome. Sorry, but that's not going to rank among the best of all FCS stadiums. You've also got the IVY league schools who have nice stadiums but don't fill them up but halfway. And then the SWAC/MEAC schools.

Here's a list of 2009 FCS attendance sorted by average attendance: http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2009/Internet/ ... NDANCE.pdf

[jcmanson]

Atmosphere alone, I think we are top 10. Probably not top 5, but top 10. Then you add in our stadium, we're definitely a top 10 place to watch an FCS game and pushing in on top 5.

1. App State
2. Montana
3. JMU (after their renovations)

After those 3, I think we're right there in the next tier with teams such as Delaware and ODU.

[Stevev]

Based on what I see on the internet I would say App State and Montana would be the top 2 no question. JMU would probably be the top when there renovations are complete (They are spending a ton on money on this even though a lot of it would go to tearing down what they already as opposed to LU just building on.) I do spend quite a bit of time at Delaware's stadium and the game day atmosphere at the 1AA level is hard to top with tailgating and a filled up stadium with rude fans shouting obscenities at opposing players after getting trashed from the pregame tailgates. Their stadium is rather old and "behind the times" though and when LU completes phase 1 we will have a much nicer place that is certainly more modern. Based on my limited time at LU the last few years our game day atmosphere is not at Delaware's level but it is getting there for sure without the rude obnoxious behavior.

[LUnpretty11]

Atmosphere alone, I think we are top 10. Probably not top 5, but top 10. Then you add in our stadium, we're definitely a top 10 place to watch an FCS game and pushing in on top 5.

1. App State
2. Montana
3. JMU (after their renovations)

After those 3, I think we're right there in the next tier with teams such as Delaware and ODU.

I have to disagree. Their stadium (as of right now) looks cheap. The elevator looks nice, and the front entrance is beautiful, but nothing else in that stadium looks as good or better than what LU is bringing to the table. Sure, their plan is to expand to 45K, but that won't be done for another 10-15 years. Right now their excited to have the west side of the stadium to be finished by 2011. In terms of the beauty of the facility, and the time in which it gets done, I have to say, LU is a head above JMU right now.

As far as atmosphere....
1.Montana - No questions asked. What they do there is (considering the # of people they can fit in the place) is FBS level and better. Montana has Saturday's in the fall figured out.
2. Appy Crappy - They have tradition, and a lot of alum..... a lot.
3 & 4. - Not sure, but it definitely isn't JMU
5. LU - We've made some awesome strides, and you all are going to freak as to what we'll be doing in the 2010/11 seasons. + you look at each college mentioned... in order for these school's fan bases to get nuts, it requires a lot of the Bud, and Bud's friend Jack... and the sorts. LU is dry and crazy.
6. JMU - Why are they behind us? Cause I can't stand them. And I'm not impressed with them a bit.

[LUminary]

Montana is crazy. The atmosphere and noise level there is better than a lot of bowl-division venues. The bowl-like stadium really makes a difference.

I would add Georgia Southern to those named. It has tailed off a bit in recent years, but is a tough place to play. I have heard and suspect that McNeese State is right there, too. Youngstown used to be but not sure now.

[Sly Fox]

I've been to McNeese & Youngstown and the latter is much nicer. In fact, you could make a case for it being Top 3.

The improvements they have made it Texas State are similar to what we have done. But keep in mind they hand a great little stadium to start with with two decks on both sides.

I haven't been there, but from the pictures I have seen I really like what ODU did at their old crib.

[From the class of 09]

Maybe it’s just me but I feel it’s a little early to be ranking Williams Stadium on account that 1) it’s not complete yet 2) we haven’t even seen one game in or new place.

That being said…I can hardly wait!!!

[01LUGrad]

Just the fact that we are having this conversation is amazing. Back in my day, we would be lucky to get 5,000 fans in the joint at the beginning of the season. By the time we were down 2-3 touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, the place was empty. I will say that I never left a game early, although I was tempted one time when it was me and 2 friends all alone in the center section of the student side in the 4th quarter.

Most games looked a lot like this:
............. ............................. .... ...................
......................... ...................... ................ ..........
........................ ..... ................ .................
............ .................. .................. ..........

[BJWilliams]

I remember the 05 season...I dont think Ive ever seen the stadium that empty for senior night...then to see what it looked like in the pouring rain against St Paul's the next fall...

[Kolzilla41]

I am watching the LU-NCCU replay on the Liberty Channel right now and all I can say is Williams Stadium will be #1 very soon. So excited for September 4th.

[Kolzilla41]

FYI, BJ Hayes just hit a monster hole for a 75 yd TD

[BJWilliams]

I was at that game and that TD was a thing of beauty...

[phoenix]

I can remember sitting in City Stadium thinking that the atmosphere at my high school football games was better. Only time I ever left early was the year the band marched at the Meadowlands.

We're on the way. I think we've got the potential to be a top-tier football school in the not too distant future.

[Sly Fox]

Dude, I can remember leaving early at City Stadium a number of times. I'm not proud of it but that atmosphere there was awful. And it was tough to get jazzed about DII football.

[soccer7]

I think it is fantastic and could be one of the best in the country for FCS....IF the students would not empty out at the middle of the third quarter. It seems as if my wife and I are a joined by about 100 people on that side when it is all said and done. I also wish the Baptist side was a bit more full. I know Thomas Road could get fill the stadium alone so I would hope they could at least they could get Baptist side full:)

[bigsmooth]

harvard's stadium is a dump. though very historic, it is falling apart. i toured the place whilw in boston this summer. the only nice thing about it is the fieldturf.