If y'all would be so kind:

1a) Which is the better actual game day experience, the East or West Stands? 1b) And why?

2) Where do the students sit?

3) Is there an (official or unofficial) Alumni section?

4) Is there a (official or unofficial) Visitor's section?

5) Where do "Invited Big Wigs" sit, when there is such an occasion?

Thanks.

-HnP
Go Huskies!

(09-26-2011 10:14 AM)Howl-n-Prowl Wrote:  If y'all would be so kind:

1a) Which is the better actual game day experience, the East or West Stands? 1b) And why?
The West Side. We get the band to face us whereas on the East side you just see the rears of the band. I heard there are some bullies on the east side that threaten you if you do not stand the whole game. The West Side is also closer to Bill Baker. The West side has chairbacks wooot!

2) Where do the students sit? Neptune, Grant, and Lincoln Hall dorm rooms

3) Is there an (official or unofficial) Alumni section? Not that I know of

4) Is there a (official or unofficial) Visitor's section? West side on the far south side of the stadium

5) Where do "Invited Big Wigs" sit, when there is such an occasion? Not sure

Thanks.

-HnP
Go Huskies!

West side is probably more family-friendly, but East side is louder and more "into" the game, at least up until half-time when half the students leave. East side you may have to stand up to see anything, unless you're sitting way up in the corners of the stands.

(09-26-2011 10:14 AM)Howl-n-Prowl Wrote:  If y'all would be so kind:

1a) Which is the better actual game day experience, the East or West Stands? 1b) And why? If you are older or have a family, sit on the West side. The East side is mostly students and can get quite rowdy, but it may be more fun there if you are younger (or are a masochist). Make sure you are an NIU fan if you sit on the East side!

2) Where do the students sit? East side

3) Is there an (official or unofficial) Alumni section? No dedicated Alumni section, but most sit on the west side.

4) Is there a (official or unofficial) Visitor's section? Far south section on the West side.

5) Where do "Invited Big Wigs" sit, when there is such an occasion? There is no special seating space; however, I do know that Jeff Compher (our AD) and President Peters invite important (i.e., monied) people to sit with them in the Skybox. The biggest donors sit up there. Wouldn't want them to mingle with the more common folks, would we?

Thanks.

-HnP
Go Huskies!

Skybox donors aren't that big... $5,000/year will probably get you in there.. Know someone who has been a $5k donor and they get to sit up there..

East side always looks empty to me...especially once the band leaves...Do students get free tickets? If so, that is a really bad showing for how large the school is..

My gf and I are alumni and hang out on the east side. I wouldn't have it any other way. I really don't think its THAT rowdy. Its rowdier than the west side, for sure. I dunno how old you are, but I'm 30 and have no problem standing the entire game which is what you have to do if you are going to be in the mix on the east side.

So, in conclusion, the cool people hang out on the east side.

Cheers!

(09-26-2011 11:05 AM)cartershaw Wrote:  Skybox donors aren't that big... $5,000/year will probably get you in there.. Know someone who has been a $5k donor and they get to sit up there..

East side always looks empty to me...especially once the band leaves...Do students get free tickets? If so, that is a really bad showing for how large the school is..

They are a finicky bunch and most are there to party.

(09-26-2011 11:13 AM)niuguy Wrote:  My gf and I are alumni and hang out on the east side. I wouldn't have it any other way. I really don't think its THAT rowdy. Its rowdier than the west side, for sure. I dunno how old you are, but I'm 30 and have no problem standing the entire game which is what you have to do if you are going to be in the mix on the east side.

So, in conclusion, the cool people hang out on the east side.

Cheers!

I might have to sit over there, so I don't get lulled to sleep on the West side. However, I can't stand the whole game, so I'd probably have to sit somewhat in the corner so I can see.

(09-26-2011 10:19 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  2) Where do the students sit? Neptune, Grant, and Lincoln Hall dorm rooms

Good one MD.

(09-26-2011 11:24 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(09-26-2011 11:13 AM)niuguy Wrote:  My gf and I are alumni and hang out on the east side. I wouldn't have it any other way. I really don't think its THAT rowdy. Its rowdier than the west side, for sure. I dunno how old you are, but I'm 30 and have no problem standing the entire game which is what you have to do if you are going to be in the mix on the east side.

So, in conclusion, the cool people hang out on the east side.

Cheers!

I might have to sit over there, so I don't get lulled to sleep on the West side. However, I can't stand the whole game, so I'd probably have to sit somewhat in the corner so I can see.

Totally, and you can start closer to the action and then move up to the top or corners. I hated sitting and being so quiet at the Wisconsin game.

I cannot add many more specific answers to your questions, HnP, than what others posted above.

However, FWIW, here has been my life long fan experiences.

I moved from sitting in East Stands with students once I became a more serious donor and compelled to sit in WEST stands with other old farts who politely but mostly sit on their tired and worn arses for much of the game. I recently moved from my chairback seats to bench seats. Much more leg room and less cramped there, especially when you have to get up often to allow others to get back and forth to concessions and restrooms. Most alums are likely in chairbacks and benchback seating between the forty yard lines along with parents of players and band members. The only time they get into the game are critical third down conversion attempts by opponents and the favorite once a game chant and duel to outlast each side by yelling black and red back and forth.

There have been rare occasions when I still chose to sit on East side with students and band & forfeit my west side tix costs for a special/ anticipated "big" game despite much more expensive costs of my tix for West seating just for the fun of it. You have inspired me to try it again later in this season.

At times when I get into it on the west side or stand too long , a few of the older fans nearbye make me feel like an outcast weirdo when I get too loud or boo. Some are much more tolerant of me than others.

Many students in center sections of East stands do stand for most of the game. Many seated in West stands sit for most of the game but occasionally rise to occasion . Different games generate different levels of " rowdiness" which is in the eyes of the beholder. Years ago when the visiting team sat beneath NIU student fans in East stands it was much more rowdy.

If you compare NIU students to UW Madison students or others on a scale of 1 to 10, Badgers and Irish and Michigan student fans are a 10 and NIU students a 5. I rate NU fans a three and Illini students a six.

I have not been to all other MAC stadiums but NIU students are probably in the top five for levels of rowdiness of those I visited including BG, UT, BSU and WMU.

I thought both E & W sides sleep walked thru most of the Cal Poly game.

Until I reached age 60- ish I loved sitting on the student side. Sometimes in some intense games and moments they can be rowdy good - especially when thunder sticks are provided free upon entry to HS.

{THE " SKYBOXES" ARE CRAMPED AND IMHO NOT ALL THAT SPECIAL! A MAKEOVER IS ON THE LONG TO DO LIST FOR HS RENOVATIONS.}

Not all seating in West stands is reserved for alums, donors , visitors, visitor's bands on occasion etc. Those remaining seats are typically on either ends of West stands from the two forty yard lines to the end zones. I found them to be a little less stodgy than the middle sections.

When the weather turns cold yet remains sunny in day games the East side remains in the sun and is not so chilly as West wide in the shade after 4pm . The undersides of East stands offer better and more convenient restrooms and space for little ones to move about while the enclosed ramps on West side are a challenge to get to restrooms and concessions easily. If the day or nite games are windy or rather cold there is little shelter from the winds on either side unless you leave the seating areas. Security keeps fans from standing in the wells leading up and down the ramps and stairs.

A few dozens fans stand on the catwalk of the Yordon Center in North endzone. Others may be able to provide you the specifics of who views game from there and what is the cost.

All seating is on aluminum on both sides except for plastic chairbacks. Bring a pad , blankets or buy a temporary "chairback" seat sold in west stands & returned afterwards for more comfortable , warmer seating in cold weather. Such temp seating is not available in East stands.

The East Side can also be like a can of sardines, especially the closer to the field you are. There were times when I had to stand sideways for most of the game. I find standing for games and being more "involved" is much more enjoyable of a game day experience than just sitting on your buttocks and standing up sometimes for big plays. I don't know about you guys, but my butt being sore is the worst.

(09-26-2011 03:44 PM)PeoriaHuskie11 Wrote:  The East Side can also be like a can of sardines, especially the closer to the field you are. There were times when I had to stand sideways for most of the game. I find standing for games and being more "involved" is much more enjoyable of a game day experience than just sitting on your buttocks and standing up sometimes for big plays. I don't know about you guys, but my butt being sore is the worst.

That may not be all bad, depending on who is standing next to you.

(09-26-2011 03:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(09-26-2011 03:44 PM)PeoriaHuskie11 Wrote:  The East Side can also be like a can of sardines, especially the closer to the field you are. There were times when I had to stand sideways for most of the game. I find standing for games and being more "involved" is much more enjoyable of a game day experience than just sitting on your buttocks and standing up sometimes for big plays. I don't know about you guys, but my butt being sore is the worst.

That may not be all bad, depending on who is standing next to you.

What if you're standing next to him?

(09-26-2011 10:34 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  West side is probably more family-friendly, but East side is louder and more "into" the game, at least up until half-time when half the students leave. East side you may have to stand up to see anything, unless you're sitting way up in the corners of the stands.

To be honest the EAST side probably doesnt watch the game!

(09-26-2011 04:31 PM)yesman815 Wrote:  

(09-26-2011 10:34 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  West side is probably more family-friendly, but East side is louder and more "into" the game, at least up until half-time when half the students leave. East side you may have to stand up to see anything, unless you're sitting way up in the corners of the stands.

To be honest the EAST side probably doesnt watch the game!

Its probably the opposite. At least you know we are awake.

(09-26-2011 04:31 PM)yesman815 Wrote:  

(09-26-2011 10:34 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  West side is probably more family-friendly, but East side is louder and more "into" the game, at least up until half-time when half the students leave. East side you may have to stand up to see anything, unless you're sitting way up in the corners of the stands.

To be honest the EAST side probably doesnt watch the game!

Just because they were quiet when you were on the field doesn't mean the east side wasn't into the game. Very hard to get excited about punting the ball away.

(09-26-2011 03:56 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(09-26-2011 03:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(09-26-2011 03:44 PM)PeoriaHuskie11 Wrote:  The East Side can also be like a can of sardines, especially the closer to the field you are. There were times when I had to stand sideways for most of the game. I find standing for games and being more "involved" is much more enjoyable of a game day experience than just sitting on your buttocks and standing up sometimes for big plays. I don't know about you guys, but my butt being sore is the worst.

That may not be all bad, depending on who is standing next to you.

What if you're standing next to him?

It's a risk I would have to take to be in my favorite spot

(09-26-2011 10:14 AM)Howl-n-Prowl Wrote:  If y'all would be so kind:

1a) Which is the better actual game day experience, the East or West Stands? 1b) And why?

2) Where do the students sit?

3) Is there an (official or unofficial) Alumni section?

4) Is there a (official or unofficial) Visitor's section?

5) Where do "Invited Big Wigs" sit, when there is such an occasion?

Thanks.

-HnP
Go Huskies!

1) East if you're a student or care more about bathrooms and concessions than football, West if you're not a kid or don't want to act like one.
2) East
3) West "very unofficial"
4) West side near south endzone
5) no idea, probably Yordan Center endzone deck.

FYI
The Yorden Center endzone deck if for rent on a per game basis. I asked AD Compher about it last month he said that it was around $1200 rental for around 40 people that maybe included limited food and drinks, but he wasn't 100% sure.