Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Testing the rating criteria
Last week, I posted some criteria for rating college football stadiums. Let's give those criteria a spin by rating stadiums at which I have attended games. I will give each stadium a score from 1-10 on each of the five categories listed:
1) Visual Appeal
2) Fan Friendliness
3) Setting and Surroundings
4) Quirks
5) Blend of History and Modern Amenities
We'll start alphabetically. It should be noted that some of these stadiums were visitied many years ago and have likely changed. Additionally, the mind may be a bit foggy with some of the details.
Alumni Stadium, Boston College:
Visual Appeal: 8
Fan Friendliness: 8
Settings and Surroundings: 6
Quirks: 6
Blend of History & Modern Amenities: 6
Total: 34
Alumni Stadium scores highly because of the way that it puts the fans so close to the action. The first row of seats feels as if it practically starts on the players' bench. Two tiers around all sides put the upper level on top of the field and provides excellent sight lines. All sides fit together very well, and the entire structure has a clean and modern look to it. The brickwork on the outside and inside of the stadium provide a classy touch that sets the stadium well in the bucolic campus in the midst of the hustle that defines the Boston suburbs. The stadium, however, does not have many other defining features that give it a "Wow" setting. There are no views of note, and, while the stadium is quite visually appealing, its symmetry leads to few interesting quirks. The open corners in the second level, however, provide an airiness. Alumni Stadium is certainly a gem, a venue that is quaint and intimate.
1) Visual Appeal
2) Fan Friendliness
3) Setting and Surroundings
4) Quirks
5) Blend of History and Modern Amenities
We'll start alphabetically. It should be noted that some of these stadiums were visitied many years ago and have likely changed. Additionally, the mind may be a bit foggy with some of the details.
Alumni Stadium, Boston College:
Visual Appeal: 8
Fan Friendliness: 8
Settings and Surroundings: 6
Quirks: 6
Blend of History & Modern Amenities: 6
Total: 34
Alumni Stadium scores highly because of the way that it puts the fans so close to the action. The first row of seats feels as if it practically starts on the players' bench. Two tiers around all sides put the upper level on top of the field and provides excellent sight lines. All sides fit together very well, and the entire structure has a clean and modern look to it. The brickwork on the outside and inside of the stadium provide a classy touch that sets the stadium well in the bucolic campus in the midst of the hustle that defines the Boston suburbs. The stadium, however, does not have many other defining features that give it a "Wow" setting. There are no views of note, and, while the stadium is quite visually appealing, its symmetry leads to few interesting quirks. The open corners in the second level, however, provide an airiness. Alumni Stadium is certainly a gem, a venue that is quaint and intimate.
