Monday, October 23, 2006
Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium
Here is the third entry in college football stadium ratings, the newly named stadium in College Park, MD that plays host to Terrapin football games. The agreement between Chevy Chase Bank and the University of Maryland provides naming rights to the regional bank in exchange for $20 million that will go towards renovation of the stadium.
Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium, University of Maryland
Visual Appeal: 4
Fan Friendly: 5
Setting and Surroundings: 4
Quirks: 7
Blend of Classic and Modern: 4
Total: 24
The current stadium for the University of Maryland towers over the area surrounding College Park, with night games lighting up the sky in the residential neighborhoods of this suburb of Washington, DC. The stadium has obviously gone through a series of renovations, with the simple horseshoe-shaped lower seating bowl forming the basis of the stands. Behind the visitor's bench is a large upper tier that was added in the mid 1990's. While I typically am drawn to asymmetric stadiums, as demonstrated by my evaluation of Bobby Dodd Stadium, the large upper deck creates a major imbalance at this stadium. On the other side of the stadium, the lower level of seats is backed simply by a press box. While this press box is substantial in size, it is dwarfed by the opposing stands.
Another feature of this stadium that takes away from the visual appeal is the emptiness behind the East endzone. At this location lies the Gossett field house that houses football offices and locker rooms. Beyond this structure lies the baseball field, football practice fields, parking garages, and other campus buildings. The openness of this area prevents an intimate feeling in that part of the stadium.
The fan experience is minimized by this openness and the shallow pitch of the lower seating bowl that takes the fans far from the action. The upper deck does put fans on top of the action, but one must be very careful in navigating the steep incline. Wide concourses behind the West Endzone are nice features that are uncommon in college football stadiums. Overall the stadium is easy for spectators to get in to and out of.
This stadium provides no interesting sites or surroundings. Situated on a suburban campus, there are no views of note, nor are there any local areas of keen interest. A walk over to the Route 1 corridor, housing the typical college joints, or a stroll through the Comcast Center (where the Terrapin basketball teams compete) are the extent of the surroundings of note.
As for quirks, this stadium certainly has them. As mentioned previously, there are distinct seating areas on the four sides of the field. The classic horseshoe seating bowl behind the West end zone, the large upper deck on the North side, the simple press box reminescent of a smaller stadium behind the South stands, and the football field house on the East form the four sides of the field. A unique Marland touch is on hand in front of the field house, with a bronze Terrapin sitting to be tapped by Maryland players before entering the field of play. These seating areas, however, don't seem to work as a complete whole. It will be interesting to see how planned renovations that are to take place in 2009 and 2010 will help create a unified look for the stadium.
Byrd Stadium certainly maintains some of the bits of classic football stadiums, most notably the horseshoe shaped bleachers that are a classic, if not outdated, look. Flashy luxury boxes and club level seats haven't taken hold in a significant manner (which is not necessarily a bad thing). The stadium does lack a certain newness that is seen in other stadiums and could certainly use some sprucing up. It will be interesting to see how the planned renovations will introduce modern comforts while preserving some of the classic character of Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium, University of Maryland
Visual Appeal: 4
Fan Friendly: 5
Setting and Surroundings: 4
Quirks: 7
Blend of Classic and Modern: 4
Total: 24
The current stadium for the University of Maryland towers over the area surrounding College Park, with night games lighting up the sky in the residential neighborhoods of this suburb of Washington, DC. The stadium has obviously gone through a series of renovations, with the simple horseshoe-shaped lower seating bowl forming the basis of the stands. Behind the visitor's bench is a large upper tier that was added in the mid 1990's. While I typically am drawn to asymmetric stadiums, as demonstrated by my evaluation of Bobby Dodd Stadium, the large upper deck creates a major imbalance at this stadium. On the other side of the stadium, the lower level of seats is backed simply by a press box. While this press box is substantial in size, it is dwarfed by the opposing stands.
Another feature of this stadium that takes away from the visual appeal is the emptiness behind the East endzone. At this location lies the Gossett field house that houses football offices and locker rooms. Beyond this structure lies the baseball field, football practice fields, parking garages, and other campus buildings. The openness of this area prevents an intimate feeling in that part of the stadium.
The fan experience is minimized by this openness and the shallow pitch of the lower seating bowl that takes the fans far from the action. The upper deck does put fans on top of the action, but one must be very careful in navigating the steep incline. Wide concourses behind the West Endzone are nice features that are uncommon in college football stadiums. Overall the stadium is easy for spectators to get in to and out of.
This stadium provides no interesting sites or surroundings. Situated on a suburban campus, there are no views of note, nor are there any local areas of keen interest. A walk over to the Route 1 corridor, housing the typical college joints, or a stroll through the Comcast Center (where the Terrapin basketball teams compete) are the extent of the surroundings of note.
As for quirks, this stadium certainly has them. As mentioned previously, there are distinct seating areas on the four sides of the field. The classic horseshoe seating bowl behind the West end zone, the large upper deck on the North side, the simple press box reminescent of a smaller stadium behind the South stands, and the football field house on the East form the four sides of the field. A unique Marland touch is on hand in front of the field house, with a bronze Terrapin sitting to be tapped by Maryland players before entering the field of play. These seating areas, however, don't seem to work as a complete whole. It will be interesting to see how planned renovations that are to take place in 2009 and 2010 will help create a unified look for the stadium.
Byrd Stadium certainly maintains some of the bits of classic football stadiums, most notably the horseshoe shaped bleachers that are a classic, if not outdated, look. Flashy luxury boxes and club level seats haven't taken hold in a significant manner (which is not necessarily a bad thing). The stadium does lack a certain newness that is seen in other stadiums and could certainly use some sprucing up. It will be interesting to see how the planned renovations will introduce modern comforts while preserving some of the classic character of Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
