BYU Game Experience for those in attendance.
- Thread starter Naddafinga
- Start date
This is something that we BYU fans are interested in hearing as well. We want to give our visiting fans the best possible experience. If there are things we can improve on or do differently we would love to hear it. The athletic department is really good at listening to fans about ways to improve the fan experience and any good feedback will definitely get passed up the chain.
We had an absolute blast! Chatted with some BYU fans on our walk to the stadium (parked just NW of the stadium for $10 in some residential lot) and they were all friendly. We were greeted by a few guys just inside the gate who thanked us for coming and helped guide us to our seats.
Chatted with fans on all 4 sides of us at our seats, again all VERY friendly. A BYU fan behind my BIL in line insisted on letting him pay for a cougar tail (their signature HUGE longjohn donut), really nice gesture!
Some memorable things for us:
- They played the ISU fight song before the game which was great.
- The stadium was packed with great energy - lasted longer than you'd expect with the way the game went.
- We weren't sitting in the official visitor's section but it's cool how they give them free ice cream & brownies.
- They had some really cool/fun gameday traditions - Lighting of the Y up on the mountain behind the stadium, their mascot has a 'trick' that he does each game (ours was a choreographed dance that was neat, some of the others they showed on the screens looked really cool), fire dancers between 3rd & 4th quarters).
- Any time a drink spilled someone would come up with a mop and everyone around it would help clean up the spill (might be a small thing but it was noticeable & helped prevent sticky feet).
Really can't say enough how nice EVERYONE was. I like to think we're friendly to visitors, but this was next level. Of all the away games I've been too, they were the most welcoming I've experienced. Most their fans wished we could see a game at sunset and I believe it with that backdrop! It was pitch black by the time we kicked off, but we did drive around earlier to get some photos.
They obviously don't have the bars/nightlife we're accustomed to, but there's enough around SLC to stay busy. We had great meals at Red Iguana (authentic Mexican in SLC) and Bam Bams BBQ (in Provo close to the stadium). Would definitely recommend the trip for anyone who gets the chance!
Chatted with fans on all 4 sides of us at our seats, again all VERY friendly. A BYU fan behind my BIL in line insisted on letting him pay for a cougar tail (their signature HUGE longjohn donut), really nice gesture!
Some memorable things for us:
- They played the ISU fight song before the game which was great.
- The stadium was packed with great energy - lasted longer than you'd expect with the way the game went.
- We weren't sitting in the official visitor's section but it's cool how they give them free ice cream & brownies.
- They had some really cool/fun gameday traditions - Lighting of the Y up on the mountain behind the stadium, their mascot has a 'trick' that he does each game (ours was a choreographed dance that was neat, some of the others they showed on the screens looked really cool), fire dancers between 3rd & 4th quarters).
- Any time a drink spilled someone would come up with a mop and everyone around it would help clean up the spill (might be a small thing but it was noticeable & helped prevent sticky feet).
Really can't say enough how nice EVERYONE was. I like to think we're friendly to visitors, but this was next level. Of all the away games I've been too, they were the most welcoming I've experienced. Most their fans wished we could see a game at sunset and I believe it with that backdrop! It was pitch black by the time we kicked off, but we did drive around earlier to get some photos.
They obviously don't have the bars/nightlife we're accustomed to, but there's enough around SLC to stay busy. We had great meals at Red Iguana (authentic Mexican in SLC) and Bam Bams BBQ (in Provo close to the stadium). Would definitely recommend the trip for anyone who gets the chance!
I suspect most Cyclone fans had a really, really good time.
It was my favorite trip so far. The people were all very nice. There was a wide variety of food in the area. Easily had the best game day experience with all of the events during breaks in the game. I'll definitely be going back in the future.
I really want to hate BYU, so these positive interactions don’t help. I mean, Ejim of all people have them the bird.
We had a great time. Didn’t make it to Lot 18 but just tailgated in the hotel parking lot with a lot of random ISU fans who were staying between the two hotels there next to the stadium. All the fans were nice. Had a great dinner on Friday night down at Communal.
My favorite was some old BYU fan who stayed for the entire game like we did. He saw me fishing in the bushes for my flask I opted not to take in thanks for the metal detectors. Gave me some hell then said he has his own stash at home too
My favorite was some old BYU fan who stayed for the entire game like we did. He saw me fishing in the bushes for my flask I opted not to take in thanks for the metal detectors. Gave me some hell then said he has his own stash at home too
Watched on TV, liked the blue lights! Also, loved the black uniforms with the blue accent! Wish we’d try doing the same with our blacks with red accents.
The story I heard is that Melvin gave the crowd his middle finger because they called him the N word. Don't know for sure if this is true, but it makes sense to me because it was so out of character for Melvin to do that.
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I like that they had free WiFi in the stadium. I have had issues too many times in Ames. Iowa State needs to look into providing that.
If I had to choose between almost getting the crap beat up at me at Kinnick because of a couple drunk hok fans who thought I was stealing their signs, vs. getting free brownies and ice cream, brownies and ice cream win out every time.
Solitude is open now. More to open this weekend. If this game is after Thanksgiving, more places would be open. You are correct on waiting for bball season.
I was going to make a pros and cons list but it's hard to mention any cons; it's really a first class experience.
The fans were energetic and raucous until BYU was out of the game.
The food selection was much better than most stadiums. But the Cougar Tails are pretty doughy. I enjoyed mine but it's an average donut.
I also noticed that staff came around with a mop to clean up spills.
The fans around us were very friendly, welcoming, and good hearted even as ISU was kicking their team's butt.
Playing the ISU fight song pre-game is a really welcoming touch. I also noticed how everyone - EVERYONE - would sing along to the BYU fight song.
The media timeout on field/video board things were better than Jack Trice, but that's a pretty low bar to clear; we have a poor in-game experience there.
This was my first time to a BYU game but it's clear they have had a P5 level stadium, fan base, gameday experience, etc. for a long time and they just needed a shot. The Big 12 provided one at long last. They are a strong addition to the league.
The fans were energetic and raucous until BYU was out of the game.
The food selection was much better than most stadiums. But the Cougar Tails are pretty doughy. I enjoyed mine but it's an average donut.
I also noticed that staff came around with a mop to clean up spills.
The fans around us were very friendly, welcoming, and good hearted even as ISU was kicking their team's butt.
Playing the ISU fight song pre-game is a really welcoming touch. I also noticed how everyone - EVERYONE - would sing along to the BYU fight song.
The media timeout on field/video board things were better than Jack Trice, but that's a pretty low bar to clear; we have a poor in-game experience there.
This was my first time to a BYU game but it's clear they have had a P5 level stadium, fan base, gameday experience, etc. for a long time and they just needed a shot. The Big 12 provided one at long last. They are a strong addition to the league.
Obviously the experience was enhanced by the way the game played out, but definitely one of my favorite road trips I’ve done.
Thought it was a really cool atmosphere; BYU fans were pretty into it, but we probably didn’t see it at its best because ISU took the wind out of their sails so quickly. Closest we probably got was when it was 10-7 for that short stretch.
Agree on the overall friendliness and welcoming of the fans. Eager to help when we couldn’t find our section (it is a little confusing if the Cougar fans here are relaying suggestions). We got yelled at a couple times as we were finding our seats, but I got more of a “trying to be funny” vibe vs any sort of hostility. BYU fans around us were great even as we stood up and cheered on our good plays.
Couple beyond us made a “hey that guys name is Bacon” comment when he appeared on the Jumbotron so I showed them the Pork Producers ad; they loved it.
Overall a great experience and would recommend putting it on your stadium bucket list. Do stay in SLC if you want anything resembling nightlife.
Thought it was a really cool atmosphere; BYU fans were pretty into it, but we probably didn’t see it at its best because ISU took the wind out of their sails so quickly. Closest we probably got was when it was 10-7 for that short stretch.
Agree on the overall friendliness and welcoming of the fans. Eager to help when we couldn’t find our section (it is a little confusing if the Cougar fans here are relaying suggestions). We got yelled at a couple times as we were finding our seats, but I got more of a “trying to be funny” vibe vs any sort of hostility. BYU fans around us were great even as we stood up and cheered on our good plays.
Couple beyond us made a “hey that guys name is Bacon” comment when he appeared on the Jumbotron so I showed them the Pork Producers ad; they loved it.
Overall a great experience and would recommend putting it on your stadium bucket list. Do stay in SLC if you want anything resembling nightlife.
Forgot to mention these 2. A nice wrinkle of their fight song is they all start seated, then about mid-way thru there's a part that says "stand up" and literally all of them stand up simultaneously and continue singing - very cool!
And absolutely they made media timeouts much better than ours. Not everything was as entertaining as the fire dancers and mascot trick, but even the silly games with fans (similar to what we do at basketball games) made the TV timeouts not seem so terrible to sit thru.
Oh yeah, seemed like nearly everyone was belting out the national anthem, too. Thought that was really cool as well!
