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Post by Frantic on Sept 25, 2011 18:08:05 GMT -8
Great college town. I would love to go to school there...certainly in September and October, but not so sure about January and February.
Campus is beautiful and large. Old stone and brick buildings. It oozes tradition.
People were all friendly. Welcoming. Midwestern feel. Not once was anyone in my face or disrespectful - some Aztec fans could learn a few things as I mention below.
They love Michigan football. Every single person was wearing Michigan gear, which isn't cheap and I have my $32 t-shirt as proof. Oh, and I waited in a long line to buy it.
110,000 times an average of maybe $80 to $100 a ticket, not including mandatory donations for season ticket holders. Take out maybe 20,000 in free student tickets, but do the math. That program makes money on a scale we can't imagine.
The Big House is big, but strangely it doesn't seem 45,000 larger than Qualcomm. And for so many people it's surprisingly quiet - even when Denard was running loose in our secondary.
Finally, I was embarrassed by some of the jackasses who made the trip. Among others one stands out. We're down 21-0 and absolutely getting creamed when some tool starts yelling "Appalachian State" for like fifteen minutes. Really??? That was four years and two coaching staffs ago - and BTW it's totally unrelated to the ass-kicking being laid on us. The same tool then starts yelling something like "Obama is a loser" and "the Big 10 only plays non-BCS directional schools". The sad thing is the dude never realized the joke was on him. If you know this idiot please make him stay at home next time.
Other jackasses were yelling things like "yea, at least we get to go home to San Diego while these people have to stay here", and one guy yelled "Hoke is a homo" while others laughed out loud. It was sad. Seriously, these Michigan fans love their team but they were nice, respectful and knowledgeable. I'm confident we came off looking crass to those unfortunate enough to sit near the small SDSU section.
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Post by LJ_Aztec on Sept 25, 2011 18:23:00 GMT -8
Very hospitable fans, and not the token "we'll be nice because we don't see you're team as a threat" at all.
I'm glad you brought up that it wasn't all that loud - I noticed the exact same thing. However I did like how they stood for everything...big plays, 3rd downs, pivotal moments. Some in our often times pitiful Club section should take note. There were people 20 years older than some of the blue hairs in 34 that have told me to sit down when I get up for kickoffs and 3rd downs making noise and standing thru and thru. I know I'm preaching to the choir about that here...most of those that I've gotten that from don't seem like they'd be capable of AztecMesa anyway.
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Post by aztec2000 on Sept 25, 2011 18:25:17 GMT -8
I went in 04 and thought it was bland and boring. I have no desire to ever go back. Do 90000 X say $80 and you have 7.2 mil in ticket sales alone for the game. Then they have a $#!+ load of luxury suites and donations. 1 mil for playing there is chump change for them. They must have 50 times our football budget and they are nothing great.
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Post by ned4 on Sept 25, 2011 18:38:05 GMT -8
Great place but definitely behind Columbus and Madison
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Post by LJ_Aztec on Sept 25, 2011 18:40:56 GMT -8
Also, another reason to appreciate the Show and realize it's dominance in ingenuity over the rest of the nation- all B1G schools' student sections/bands seem to do the exact same songs/chants/etc.
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Post by aztecjake on Sept 25, 2011 18:48:04 GMT -8
I have to premise my entry here by saying that I have not traveled with the Aztecs to out of town games - my bad - primarily because I live in northern California and therefore, every game is considered a travel game for me. Because I consider San Diego my home town, I travel to San Diego for the games, in fact, I buy season tickets and try to make as many trips home as I possibly can. Three seasons ago, I did travel to South Bend for the Notre Dame game and as you found at the UM, Frantic,I found the ND locals very friendly and accommodating to all of the Aztec faithful. I never once, though, experienced any disrespect from Aztec fans during my visit to South Bend. Since that time, I have used the behavior of ND fans as prototype when I greet people who visit Qualcomm from other schools. I always greet them respectfully and thank them for coming to SD in support of their team. I have experienced wonderful conversations over the years with people from TCU, Air Force, WSU, CPSLO, NMSU, etc. Anyway, here is to a more respectful future to all who faithfully support college athletics. Thanks for the post.
Alumni - 1982
Season Ticket holder
Aztec Club member
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Post by jdaztec on Sept 25, 2011 18:48:50 GMT -8
Their fans were great back in 04 as well (I wonder what they are
like when they lose ?)
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Post by BigtimeAztec on Sept 25, 2011 19:04:07 GMT -8
I was also at the game this weekend, as well as 04 and both times noticed the same thing in regards to the noise level.
Regardless, being part of a 110K crowd is special. I was hanging out with a Michigan alumni now living in LA and he got a chance to go up to the new suites during the game, he was hanging out with the who's who of Michigan and said he was highly impressed with the renovations.
Even if it's not as loud as you would expect, the BIGHOUSE is truly a special place in all of sports.
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Post by aztec2000 on Sept 25, 2011 19:29:29 GMT -8
I found Ohio State fans to be the most hospitable. Also the Hawaii fans in 05 were cool.
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Post by AztecTom on Sept 25, 2011 22:00:06 GMT -8
Great college town. I would love to go to school there...certainly in September and October, but not so sure about January and February. Campus is beautiful and large. Old stone and brick buildings. It oozes tradition. People were all friendly. Welcoming. Midwestern feel. Not once was anyone in my face or disrespectful - some Aztec fans could learn a few things as I mention below. They love Michigan football. Every single person was wearing Michigan gear, which isn't cheap and I have my $32 t-shirt as proof. Oh, and I waited in a long line to buy it. 110,000 times an average of maybe $80 to $100 a ticket, not including mandatory donations for season ticket holders. Take out maybe 20,000 in free student tickets, but do the math. That program makes money on a scale we can't imagine. The Big House is big, but strangely it doesn't seem 45,000 larger than Qualcomm. And for so many people it's surprisingly quiet - even when Denard was running loose in our secondary. Finally, I was embarrassed by some of the jackasses who made the trip. Among others one stands out. We're down 21-0 and absolutely getting creamed when some tool starts yelling "Appalachian State" for like fifteen minutes. Really??? That was four years and two coaching staffs ago - and BTW it's totally unrelated to the ass-kicking being laid on us. The same tool then starts yelling something like "Obama is a loser" and "the Big 10 only plays non-BCS directional schools". The sad thing is the dude never realized the joke was on him. If you know this idiot please make him stay at home next time. Other jackasses were yelling things like "yea, at least we get to go home to San Diego while these people have to stay here", and one guy yelled "Hoke is a homo" while others laughed out loud. It was sad. Seriously, these Michigan fans love their team but they were nice, respectful and knowledgeable. I'm confident we came off looking crass to those unfortunate enough to sit near the small SDSU section. I was at the game and agree with you on everything except for one thing, student tickets are not free. Was told students have to pay $270 for there season tickets. Was told this by a student. I thought it was a better atmosphere than Ohio State and Wisconsin. |
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Post by GothamCityRogue on Sept 25, 2011 22:12:06 GMT -8
Great college town. I would love to go to school there...certainly in September and October, but not so sure about January and February. Campus is beautiful and large. Old stone and brick buildings. It oozes tradition. People were all friendly. Welcoming. Midwestern feel. Not once was anyone in my face or disrespectful - some Aztec fans could learn a few things as I mention below. They love Michigan football. Every single person was wearing Michigan gear, which isn't cheap and I have my $32 t-shirt as proof. Oh, and I waited in a long line to buy it. 110,000 times an average of maybe $80 to $100 a ticket, not including mandatory donations for season ticket holders. Take out maybe 20,000 in free student tickets, but do the math. That program makes money on a scale we can't imagine. The Big House is big, but strangely it doesn't seem 45,000 larger than Qualcomm. And for so many people it's surprisingly quiet - even when Denard was running loose in our secondary. Finally, I was embarrassed by some of the jackasses who made the trip. Among others one stands out. We're down 21-0 and absolutely getting creamed when some tool starts yelling "Appalachian State" for like fifteen minutes. Really??? That was four years and two coaching staffs ago - and BTW it's totally unrelated to the ass-kicking being laid on us. The same tool then starts yelling something like "Obama is a loser" and "the Big 10 only plays non-BCS directional schools". The sad thing is the dude never realized the joke was on him. If you know this idiot please make him stay at home next time. Other jackasses were yelling things like "yea, at least we get to go home to San Diego while these people have to stay here", and one guy yelled "Hoke is a homo" while others laughed out loud. It was sad. Seriously, these Michigan fans love their team but they were nice, respectful and knowledgeable. I'm confident we came off looking crass to those unfortunate enough to sit near the small SDSU section. I was at the game and agree with you on everything except for one thing, student tickets are not free. Was told students have to pay $270 for there season tickets. Was told this by a student. I thought it was a better atmosphere than Ohio State and Wisconsin. Sounds right. My baby sis is currently at USC and student tix are $150 for the season. Winning programs can get away with charging. Frantic, thanks for the great insight as to what it's like at Ann Arbor. I hope that the current and future Aztec teams can create a similar environment in SD. |
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Post by 7ducati on Sept 26, 2011 5:13:22 GMT -8
I'm glad you enjoyed Ann Arbor, it's a great town. Great time of year too, when the leaves are all changing color. I'm also glad that most M fans were respectful. Like any fanbase, I'm sure there are plenty of a-holes out there, so I'm glad they didn't find you! As for the noise, you are dead on. When I was a student there, I never could understand the rap that we got for being a quiet stadium, because in the student section, we stand the whole game and yell a lot. It's the old folks between the 30 yard lines that sit on their hands. I've never been told to sit down more at a game than in my alumni seats the past few years. People always said that it was the shape of the stadium that "didn't keep noise in," but I think that's a cop out. The night game against ND was extremely loud, but usually only when it counted. I went to an SEC game when I was in college, and those crazies scream all game long. Oh, and as for those that say that OSU fans were great to them... put an M on your chest and see how they treat you.  I've had friends get their tires slashed, cars peed on, and been flipped off by 5 year olds. And that was in years that they beat us!  |
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Post by aztecbo on Sept 26, 2011 6:08:11 GMT -8
I think Frantic is right on. Ann Arbor is a great university and a beautiful city. The people can be a little arrogant, but I'd like to be able to be a little arrogant too. I'd love to have to pay more for tickets and parking and have to wait longer in line too. College football is a microcosm of the country, and the rich are getter richer--we have to keep up or we'll disappear like our middle class. Had some good beer for a good price at various pubs and some good food too. My bro (AztecJer) suffered a little jet lag (as I'm sure our team did), but it was another interesting road trip experience.
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Post by wolverine10 on Sept 26, 2011 6:09:06 GMT -8
Part of it is the design of the stadium. it is an open bowl that isn't very vertical.
If you go to Autzen or Neyland, it is a steep climb to your seats regardless of where you sit. The Big House simply isn't that. The sound is louder since the addition of the box seats, but it is not as loud as it could be.
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Post by matteosandiego on Sept 26, 2011 7:17:02 GMT -8
I was at the game and Frantic has it dead on.
Michigan is all about Excellence in everything that they do, not just sports. The people were amazingly nice and friendly and they take pride in what they are about. Many of their traditions and conduct come across as hokey (no pun intended) but thats because they're the oldest most winningest program in the country, they STARTED all those traditions basically.
Long story short, i can see why Coach Brady left to lead this monster of an institution. Its not just a football thing, its a culture thing. i'm just glad he infused some of that spirit into OUR program. I was SUPER pleased to see the camaraderie between us AZTECS fans out there, rooting loud and enjoying the city together even after the disappointment. It will be up to us to support and make sure this program keeps OUR traditions alive. GO AZTECS!
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Post by aztecnole on Sept 26, 2011 8:27:42 GMT -8
Student tickets at Florida State are "free", you pay for them with tuition, then there's a point system for preference. 4 points guarantees a home game ticket every time, I in the 4 point group so I get a ticket every thursday before home games by email.
Undergrad 1 points
Udergrad Student Booster 2 points
Grad 3 Points
Grad Student Booster 4 points
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Post by aztecx on Sept 26, 2011 8:51:23 GMT -8
...The people can be a little arrogant... Understatement |
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Post by saucematix on Sept 26, 2011 9:40:22 GMT -8
I went to the game with my fiance, and best friend. WE are in our mid 20's so we can still almost pretend to be students. Got into Ann Arbor on Thursday and hit the town. Wore SDSU gear every day and most people were very nice. I assume this is because we are the little guy. I almost want to compare it to someone from Cal Poly coming to SDSU. Although nice, everyone thinks Michigan Football is Gods gift to the world.
The college town feel is awesome...they have 3 little areas where you can go out...downtown which is for the older/richer crowd, an area on Church street which is for the younger/poorer college student crowd. And an area on State street that is in between those areas. All pretty much on campus.
Fraternity houses were mansions...probably double the size of ours, and you could tell there is a lot of history there. Tailgate was awesome, people didnt really talk too much junk like i had thought/hoped, and the main question was "Did you really fly all the way here from San Diego?"
The big house is pretty cool. Qualcomm seems much bigger. The seating on all sides starts about 15 feet from the field as opposed to qualcomm where it is about 30 yards on some parts. Almost enitrely bleacher seating. Was able to score 50 yard line tickets off stubhub for cheap.
I actually think we outplayed michigan. They were able to break off a few monster plays that was the difference.
My best analogy is that it looked like an awesome high school team (Michigan) played against an awful NFL team (SDSU). We actually play real football, and they rely on one or two guys that are really gifted runners.
ANyways...actually expected more Aztec fans to be there. If i had to guess i would say there was 1k. Maybe a pocket of 500 people in the upper corner, another pocket of 100 behind one of the endzones, and another 400 sprinkled throughout.
All in all a cool experience. Cant wait for the next big road game...
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Post by 83aztec on Sept 26, 2011 9:50:26 GMT -8
Except for the game I had a great time. Very Very friendly people. Was invited into several tailgates. plied with beer and food and was thanked several times for making the trip. Great college town and EVERYBODY loves their team. Something I guess that comes from a college town who has had great success in sports.
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Post by RockNFish on Sept 26, 2011 10:53:37 GMT -8
I thought Ann Arbor had more of a college town feel than Columbus – Madison was probably the best. The horse shoe has more energy than the Big House, Wisconsin’s student section was nuts – really intimidating and fun… Wisconsin fans were probably the rudest (a lot like us, so not that bad at all, just not quite as hospitable as the other Midwest schools). Mizzu gets an honorable mention – that was a pretty cool atmosphere as well.
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I've had friends get their tires slashed, cars peed on, and been flipped off by 5 year olds. And that was in years that they beat us! 
