I am making 3 road trips to see the Rebs this year, as I continue my quest to watch Ole Miss play in every SEC venue. This weekend, my roadie and I made the 4-hour trip north to Nashville to check Vanderbilt stadium off the list. This was how my experience at First Bank Stadium went:
The Good
1. Getting access to the stadium was fairly easy. I assume that would have to do with the fact that Vandy has the smallest stadium in the SEC and its fans have minimal interest in football. We were able to park in a public parking garage less than a 1/4 mile from the stadium for $30, cheaper and closer than any parking pass I have bought.
2. The availability of eating establishments close by was nice. The Chili's we were at didn't have enough servers, but those that were working were hustling to try and take care of the customers. Went to the Slider House after the game. Great food, atmosphere, and service. Most everyone we met from the area was cordial and hospitable.
The Bad (other than our play in the 1st half)
1. The visitor's section (I was in section U) is looking right into the sun, ( I thought everyone put their rowdiest fans, the students, in the sun and gave the visitors good seats in the shade...S) and that made it uncomfortable, squinting and being cooked by the sun on a cloudless day. At least it was only low 70s and not like Georgia Tech earlier in the season (I had shade tickets in the end zone that day, but some friends told me about sitting in the sun). Needless to say, I have raccoon eyes today where my shades were.
2. The lack of restrooms, at least the lack of men's restrooms. When I went to the restroom at the half, the line snaked for about 40 yards then turned to come back 40 yards back to the restroom. I have never seen anything like it. I did not visit the concession stand so I have no idea if it was good, bad, or indifferent. I did notice a couple of guys coming back to their seats with numerous beverages, which may have meant there was not a restriction on the number you could purchase like there was at Georgia Tech.
The Ugly
1. Originally thought our seats were 2 rows behind the band (In V, but later discovered we were in the wrong section). I want the band to come to every game, but those Tuba's are impossible to see over. Tickets 5 rows behind the band should not be sold. Everyone around us was looking for an open area to move to. Luckily for us, we were in the wrong place and finally figured it out. This takes me to my 2nd point.
2. We moved to our seats over in section U. All was well. Then...Some fans... SMH. I stand the entire game usually. Not sure why, just feel more into the game when I do. I am good with people standing in front of me. My problem is with those that stand on the bleachers, which elevates them up to where you can't see the game over them unless you do the same thing, which will tick off the people sitting in front of you, especially if they want to sit, and the people behind you. After halftime, a group of younger folks, possibly students, moved into some empty seats 2 rows below us and proceeded to stand on the bleachers. This blocked the folks in front of me, who sat more than stood, where they couldn't see. We were standing, and we couldn't see when the play was down on the bowled end. I politely asked them to stand off the bleachers, and they all did, but one guy. He kept doing it. He was just being a jerk, and most likely intoxicated. I am too old to get into anything extra at a game anymore, so we all just ignored him and looked around him. He never did move off the bleachers. I feel good knowing he will be paying my social security one day.
All in all, I was expecting much less than what I experienced. I went thinking it would be a terrible experience (small stadium, poor team, poor fanbase) and I would never go back after I checked this block. I left with the idea that I would possibly go to Vanderbilt again if the situation presents itself favorably. My observations about the game tomorrow. That is all.
The Good
1. Getting access to the stadium was fairly easy. I assume that would have to do with the fact that Vandy has the smallest stadium in the SEC and its fans have minimal interest in football. We were able to park in a public parking garage less than a 1/4 mile from the stadium for $30, cheaper and closer than any parking pass I have bought.
2. The availability of eating establishments close by was nice. The Chili's we were at didn't have enough servers, but those that were working were hustling to try and take care of the customers. Went to the Slider House after the game. Great food, atmosphere, and service. Most everyone we met from the area was cordial and hospitable.
The Bad (other than our play in the 1st half)
1. The visitor's section (I was in section U) is looking right into the sun, ( I thought everyone put their rowdiest fans, the students, in the sun and gave the visitors good seats in the shade...S) and that made it uncomfortable, squinting and being cooked by the sun on a cloudless day. At least it was only low 70s and not like Georgia Tech earlier in the season (I had shade tickets in the end zone that day, but some friends told me about sitting in the sun). Needless to say, I have raccoon eyes today where my shades were.
2. The lack of restrooms, at least the lack of men's restrooms. When I went to the restroom at the half, the line snaked for about 40 yards then turned to come back 40 yards back to the restroom. I have never seen anything like it. I did not visit the concession stand so I have no idea if it was good, bad, or indifferent. I did notice a couple of guys coming back to their seats with numerous beverages, which may have meant there was not a restriction on the number you could purchase like there was at Georgia Tech.
The Ugly
1. Originally thought our seats were 2 rows behind the band (In V, but later discovered we were in the wrong section). I want the band to come to every game, but those Tuba's are impossible to see over. Tickets 5 rows behind the band should not be sold. Everyone around us was looking for an open area to move to. Luckily for us, we were in the wrong place and finally figured it out. This takes me to my 2nd point.
2. We moved to our seats over in section U. All was well. Then...Some fans... SMH. I stand the entire game usually. Not sure why, just feel more into the game when I do. I am good with people standing in front of me. My problem is with those that stand on the bleachers, which elevates them up to where you can't see the game over them unless you do the same thing, which will tick off the people sitting in front of you, especially if they want to sit, and the people behind you. After halftime, a group of younger folks, possibly students, moved into some empty seats 2 rows below us and proceeded to stand on the bleachers. This blocked the folks in front of me, who sat more than stood, where they couldn't see. We were standing, and we couldn't see when the play was down on the bowled end. I politely asked them to stand off the bleachers, and they all did, but one guy. He kept doing it. He was just being a jerk, and most likely intoxicated. I am too old to get into anything extra at a game anymore, so we all just ignored him and looked around him. He never did move off the bleachers. I feel good knowing he will be paying my social security one day.
All in all, I was expecting much less than what I experienced. I went thinking it would be a terrible experience (small stadium, poor team, poor fanbase) and I would never go back after I checked this block. I left with the idea that I would possibly go to Vanderbilt again if the situation presents itself favorably. My observations about the game tomorrow. That is all.
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