Of Warchants and Renegades!
Written: Nov 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tons of Crazed Fans!
Cons: Only when we have to play UF and their fans come up.
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| Bunny74's Full Review: Doak Campbell Stadium |
I have been a 'Nole fan since before I was born. I went to my first games at Doak Campbell Stadium as a mere half pint and can remember vividly singing Happy Birthday to Coach Bowden (Bobby, that is). I remember when our stadium was "portable" and looked like one giant erector set.
The truth is, I don't think I have anyplace on earth that holds quite as many memories as Doak Campbell Stadium. Those of you not from the South, who don't know that college ball down here is a religion and homage is paid every Saturday in a local stadium, won't realize the significance of the changes made to Doak Campbell over the past few years. You don't have the smell of the tunnel under Pensacola Street burned in your memory, or the sound of triumphant fans singing "Go to Hell, Gators" as we came down the ramps after a game ringing in your ears.
You don't realize how much easier it is to get tickets now that we've been bowled in; or how much hotter it is in the stands since we no longer have a good breeze blowing through. You don't understand that this stadium and what goes on in it is a major lifeline to our fair city.
Accessibility to the stadium is much improved with the addition of several new parking lots. It is still easier, however, to pay $10 and get a can of been in return to park in some college kid's front yard... my usual spot is on the corner of Edwards and Pensacola. It seems to be more fun to walk along the road and go under the tunnel with other crazed fans than to pay the bucks and ride the Spirit Express (which runs from the civic center). Besides, if I want to down a six pack before the game, I need time to drink... yes, I'm a typical girl in that aspect.
I've been lucky in that my family has had season tickets for, well as long as I can remember. Same seats. 20 years. 20 yard line North End Zone. 26 rows up. Can't beat 'em. I've been in the skyboxes... the only advantage to being up there was the liquor was free, and my date was cute. I'd take lower level seats any day of the week and twice on Sunday, just to hear the roar of the crowd. Not to mention, there's something about hearing the plays called by would be coaches in the stands that just makes a game that much more interesting. The guy who sits behind me... his favorite play is tight end over the middle. He goes nuts when we execute that play. Who would want to miss that?
Getting in and out is easy. Just dodge the drunk guys and the seemingly endless tailgating parties, hope the cops will let you go where you want to go and just punch it. Or you can do it our way. Get a good parking spot three or four hours before the game, walk around to all of the tailgating parties and ham it up with other nuts like yourself. BellSouth throws an incredible tailgate party in the North Endzone... Chili from Clydes and Costellos, beer, Crown, friends. I'm making myself long for this weekend when Clemson and FSU tangle up for another Father/Son rivalry.
While you're in the stadium, make sure to walk around and see how many people you know... watch the ones who stagger too much... their drinks are usually a little stiffer than mine, and you can never tell which direction they're gonna turn. Whatever you do, make sure to be in the stands at kickoff as the pregame show is a not-to-be-missed event!
Whatever game you go to see, you're sure to be dazzled by the sheer numbers of fans who regularly turn out. Tallahassee is a ghost town during the games because everyone who couldn't cram into the stadium is at a bar watching and wishing they could be there in person... Like I said, I'm lucky, me seat is spoken for, and has been for a long time. I wouldn't trade my stadium for a million bucks... a sears trophy again, maybe.... nahhh
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: Bunny74
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Member: Heather
Location: Tallahassee, Florida GO NOLES!
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me: I foremost an avid 'Nole fan, but I like Jeeps and beer, too!
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