It's Football Time in Tennessee
Written: Jan 25 '01 (Updated Jan 25 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Aesthetics: |
 |
|
| Food Selection: |
 |
|
|
Pros: complete bowl, a lot of covered seating
Cons: uncomfortable steel bench seats, seating to closely compacted.
The Bottom Line: If you have the opportunity to see it, by all means do. It is one of the largest Outdoor College football stadiums in the United States.
|
|
|
| ggrimes1221's Full Review: Neyland Stadium |
One thing visitors to Tennessee quickly learn is we are serious about our "football"! The first time my husband ever visited me, just happened to be the day before the Vols vs Gators game. I showed up to pick him up decked out in orange from head to toe, well of course why wouldn't I everyone in Tennessee was wearing orange that day. He later admitted he thought I kinda looked a bit conspicuous but being a gentleman, he didn't say so. Needless to say, before he left Knoxville that weekend, he had purchased a bright orange T-shirt and a white hat with a big orange T on the front.
Last spring he experienced his first visit to Neyland Stadium. To someone who has never been there it is somewhat breathtaking to look around and see 107,000+ people. This spring was the annual orange and white fan day so there were only about 40,000 on hand which was barely enough to look like a handful in the south east end zone.
Myself, having grown up in Knoxville and watched Neyland stadium grow from a 60,000 seat stadium to today's 107,000 plus seating, I still find it amazing to be among the vast sea of orange on a brisk October afternoon. One of my fondest memories is performing with the Pride of the Southland band at a pre-game show in 1978. Our High School band won that honor by placing first in our district drum and bugle competition.
While the vastness and attractiveness of the stadium is picture post card perfect, the one problem I have is the seating. The steel benches atop concrete bleachers are not the most comfortable seats to spend several hours sitting on. Also the seating numbers are very close together. Approximately 24 inches per seat. I know of people who have a problem with that if their back side in wider than two feet. Before, when smoking was still allowed in the stadium, I used to fear someone would flip a cigarette and it would land in my hair and poof!!! That fear has been eliminated now that smoking is only allowed in the outside corridors.
As far as the view, any of us that are familiar with large arenas or stadiums know that the view from the higher sections is not that great, however Neyland Stadium installed a "jumbo tron" TV screen in the fall of 1999 which features play by play action. Several other large screen monitors are placed throughout the stadium providing fans with a good view of field action.
Food venders are plentiful, as well as the prices of the food. Again, it's normal for prices to be elevated at the larger sporting events. One good thing is for the $2.50 large soft drink [32oz] you get a souvenir University of Tennessee cup.
Parking close to the Stadium on game day is a problem, and can be expensive. Starting at about $5.00 [good value if it's close] but can cost as much as $10.00. We usually park at the Civic Coliseum which is located across town, $3.00 to park inside a guarded parking garage, then $1.00 to ride a bus round trip to and from the front gates of the Stadium. Only way to go in my opinion. Buses start running at the beginning of the 4th quarter of the game and continue to run following the game as long as anyone is waiting at the bus stop. Usually about two hours post game.
I don't feel Neyland stadium is a place you want to take small children, although have seen all ages including newborns dressed in the all famous orange. With the seating arrangements, there is very little room to be comfortable with a baby in arms. Absolutely no room for a stroler or child seat between the rows of bleachers. Go enjoy the game, but leave the baby with a sitter.
For the wealthy and high paying alumni supporters Neyland Stadium offers gorgeous sky boxes completely heated and air conditioned with drinks and hors d'oeuvres provided. Like I said for the wealthy, I've never seen inside one.
For the ultimate VOLS fan, a game day at Neyland stadium is how shall I say this politely... an experience. I have a tendency to prefer watching the game in the comfort of my living room with a game day family party of drinks and snacks. The view is much better than being at the stadium, the only thing missing is 107,000 screaming people dressed in Orange.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: Better Get There Early
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ggrimes1221
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Location: Knoxville TN
Reviews written: 204
Trusted by: 77 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.