Q of the Week: Did Northwestern build a future host site for IHSA Football finals?

[EdgyTim]

Again on Saturday covered the Lane Tech MP game at Gately....came home had some pizza and did some work while I had the Indiana at Purdue game on. Was really impressed at the temporary stadium at Northwestern. Seats 12k looked pretty cool overall. First thought that came in my head is "Is Indiana really undefeated" and the second was Could they host the IHSA state football finals here? Again it's decent capacity but still small enough to be loud and look great on TV.....sure the weather will be horrible but so is DeKalb, Normal and everywhere else we go in late November. The surface is turf (unlike the new stadium under construction) so it would meet IHSA field requirements in the contract...they obviously have a great indoor facility next to the stadium etc.

Just a thought and feel free to knock this around.

 

[4Afan]

As far as the facility itself, absolutely. Could think of no better atmosphere. Maybe then the IHSA would seed all classes 1-32 since they claim travel times is the reason they divide classes into north/south. I mean if you're going to make a southern team travel to Evanston then they can't claim travel is a concern to them.

The first question that comes to mind knowing it's location, is parking where I believe there is absolutely none.

The other question is, I know this is a temporary location for NU, but does the university indend to keep the stadium as is once the new Ryan Field is complete?

 

[Dave Brody]

I hope not. Evanston is a pain to get to. Agreed that the atmosphere is great though. Maybe northwestern could host week 1 opening games, similar to what ISU did this year.

ISU is a perfect location for all for the finals.

 

[colin2229]

The stadium is there permanent home for NW soccer but I believe much of the seating is temporary.

I say this site has no chance.

 

[flyerforlife]

I hope not. Evanston is a pain to get to. Agreed that the atmosphere is great though. Maybe northwestern could host week 1 opening games, similar to what ISU did this year.

ISU is a perfect location for all for the finals.

I second ISU

 

[colin2229]

I hope by the time my son(he is 2) is playing HS ball the championships are held at Thee Chicago Bears new Soliders Field.

 

[EdgyTim]

I second ISU

Not dissing ISU or anyone else......just thinking a little out of the box is all

 

[brucealmighy]

sure the weather will be horrible but so is DeKalb, Normal and everywhere else we go in late November.

Having played on that field in November before, the windy coming off the lake is brutal. Amazing setting but huge impact on the play. With the seating being so small there would not be much of a buffer to cut down on the wind.

 

[EdgyTim]

Having played on that field in November before, the windy coming off the lake is brutal. Amazing setting but huge impact on the play. With the seating being so small there would not be much of a buffer to cut down on the wind.

Ever been to NIU.....

 

[brucealmighy]

Ever been to NIU.....

Oh yeah plenty of times. Usually windy especially in November. Champaign always seems to be windy too. That specific field location is so close to the water that it is different. Typically bone chilling wind with little to cut down on it. Settling is phenomenally though

 

[ClownBaby]

Seat Geek Field should be the answer but it’s grass.

 

[cigaros]

There is no reason to hold the finals anywhere but Hancock Stadium. It is an equal trek for most teams involved. Otherwise, the IHSa needs to stop lying about travel during the playoffs and just seed everyone 1-32.

 

[dhamp6]

The crowds at state championship weekend have been disappointing no matter where they've been played in my opinion. Reality is most people would rather sit and complain from home. The fan bases that travel well are going to do that no matter what. Leave it at Hancock and figure out how to market it where people want to actually be in the building.

 

[doctor_d]

Hancock is where it should be.

 

[gobears25]

Answer of the week: no

 

[Dick Saban]

1. U of I
2. ISU
Dekalb is a dump and the stadium is terrible

 

[MMA_Det]

I was told by a member of the faculty that the facility was initially made as a football practice space

It has since morphed into hosting many different activities including graduation

The one drawback

The parking garage was built to accommodate minimal traffic and is not set up to meet the need of 12k

- to clarify

The exit / entrance get congested and backed up easy due to how they are layer out

It’s an incredible field

 

[cigaros]

1. U of I
2. ISU
Dekalb is a dump and the stadium is terrible

I agree with the assessment of Dekalb and Huskie stadium. However, I do see Hancock Stadium as more accessible to the majority of semifinal teams over the past 15 years.

 

[Prep writer]

What are the percentage of seats in the end zones? It looks great on TV, but I'm sure a majority of the fans on this site who sit between the 30's every weekend, wouldn't enjoy the view from the end zones for a high school game.

 

[colin2229]

Again on Saturday covered the Lane Tech MP game at Gately....came home had some pizza and did some work while I had the Indiana at Purdue game on. Was really impressed at the temporary stadium at Northwestern. Seats 12k looked pretty cool overall. First thought that came in my head is "Is Indiana really undefeated" and the second was Could they host the IHSA state football finals here? Again it's decent capacity but still small enough to be loud and look great on TV.....sure the weather will be horrible but so is DeKalb, Normal and everywhere else we go in late November. The surface is turf (unlike the new stadium under construction) so it would meet IHSA field requirements in the contract...they obviously have a great indoor facility next to the stadium etc.

Just a thought and feel free to knock this around.

An update on the New Ryan Field was released today. They want the stadium to be in use year round and specifically mentioned hosting state championships. It looks like it actually is turf and would be an awesome host to football state championships. ​

Reimagining a Stadium as a Community Asset​

While Big Ten Football games and concerts will be the highest profile events at the new Ryan Field, the other 350 days of the year will see the stadium serving as a community asset and a new town square for the Northwestern and Evanston communities. With year round holiday festivals, youth sports, state championships, as well as intramurals and other campus activities, the new Ryan Field will serve as a dynamic asset year-round by utilizing key areas of the stadium campus to add a new dimension to the Evanston and Northwestern communities.

New Ryan Field

 

[lurker74]

What are the percentage of seats in the end zones? It looks great on TV, but I'm sure a majority of the fans on this site who sit between the 30's every weekend, wouldn't enjoy the view from the end zones for a high school game.

For any football game. Endzone seats suck, and should be banned from all stadiums. "Ooooh, big play. Did he gain 2 yards or 20, can't tell from here".

 

[PowerI66]

For any football game. Endzone seats suck, and should be banned from all stadiums. "Ooooh, big play. Did he gain 2 yards or 20, can't tell from here".

You can't tell the difference of 2 and 20 yards? I hope you don't have a driver's license

 

[MC63]

You can't tell the difference of 2 and 20 yards? I hope you don't have a driver's license

I saw Walter Payton gain 275 yards in one game at Soldier Field -- from deep in the south end zone. For a good parto f each play, I couldn't tell if he was running sideways or on an angle.

I know my eyesight is weak today, but this was 40 or so years ago when things were much different (in many, many ways)

 

[all4theillini]

I live 23 miles east of Huskie Stadium on the same road yet the only acceptable answers would be UI or ISU.

 

[Sparty Jones]

For any football game. Endzone seats suck, and should be banned from all stadiums. "Ooooh, big play. Did he gain 2 yards or 20, can't tell from here".

As a pure football fan, I prefer end zone seats. You can see plays unfold better.

 

[colin2229]

I live 23 miles east of Huskie Stadium on the same road yet the only acceptable answers would be UI or ISU.

New NW stadium would pretty sweet though.

Just gotta put up with all that purple

 

[SiuCubFan8]

New NW stadium would pretty sweet though.

Just gotta put up with all that purple

You must want everything black and white... 😆
But seriously, the stadium renderings look pretty sweet.