Is a camp Randall visit worth it?

J

Jonrn

Well-Known Member
I live in Florida and try to make it back to Iowa city for the best home game every year. I was going to come home for penn state, but due to some family circumstances, I had to cancel. All of Iowa’s other home games are not overly appealing, so I did some research about heading to Madison November 9th

Airline tickets to Chicago or Madison are not too expensive (cheaper than CR or DSM) and tickets to the game on stubhub and vivid seats are way cheaper ($40-50 cheaper) than kinnick for penn state. So besides the hotel situation, it seems like a good deal, other than the chance of it being in single digit temps in Madison in November.

So to you who’ve been...is it worth it? Good experience? Any suggestions or travel tips?
 
I've been a few times, there fans can be rude and verbally and physically hostile at times. They have no real lots to tailgate in, the stadium is surrounded by buildings... so you pretty much have to go to the bars around the stadium.
 
There have been a lot of bad stories from visiting fans in Madison. Drunk college age kids getting physical.

They regularly rank in the top 10 worst college towns to visit. Along with Arizona
 
If you paid for my tickets, lodging, food, reimbursed me for my PTO, and somehow guaranteed me that the Hawkeyes would win, I’d tell ya to ask someone else. Went once and it was the shittiest experience I’ve ever had at any sporting event I’ve ever been too.

Complete and total douche rocket fans, no tailgate experience to speak of, hostile bars, and just nothing appealing or worth doing/seeing in Madison whatsoever.

That’s just my opinion, your experience might be great.
 
I'm going for the game this year. We've won every away game I've been to, so I hope to keep that streak alive.

Granted, I've only been to 3 away games (not counting bowls) so it's not a large sample size, but every little bit helps.
 
Been there three times and have immensely enjoyed every game.
Of course Iowa has won every game I've seen them play there.
The stadium is like two blocks from downtown and alcohol consumpton is not only tolerated, it's promoted. Fun place.

I come up through Dubuque and stay the night before in Dodgeville.

I park on the west end of town and ride the public bus to the stadium/downtown area. Buses run quite frequently afterwards too.

I've never had a bad experience, in fact, just the opposite. Sure there are rogue idiots, but that's everywhere. Mad-town roxx.
 
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Jonrn said:
I live in Florida and try to make it back to Iowa city for the best home game every year. I was going to come home for penn state, but due to some family circumstances, I had to cancel. All of Iowa’s other home games are not overly appealing, so I did some research about heading to Madison November 9th

Airline tickets to Chicago or Madison are not too expensive (cheaper than CR or DSM) and tickets to the game on stubhub and vivid seats are way cheaper ($40-50 cheaper) than kinnick for penn state. So besides the hotel situation, it seems like a good deal, other than the chance of it being in single digit temps in Madison in November.

So to you who’ve been...is it worth it? Good experience? Any suggestions or travel tips?
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I have been there 4-5 times and it is a really neat football game experience. Their crowd does some neat and weird shit. Stadium is neat, tons of fans, saw the hawks lose once in the 70's and saw Fry's teams win twice and KF's 2003 team hold on with great goal line stand which was pure heaven.. Their fans were giving Alvarez so much shit that game around us that the fans left us alone.

I/we had decent personal experiences but I know of people who were roughly treated by some of there fans. I dont think a lot of their fans are looking to give the visitors a bad time but I know it has happened.

University Ave is on the south side of the stadium IIRC and it is a wide street with wide sidewalks and lots of partying going on.
 
uihawk82 said:
I have been there 4-5 times and it is a really neat football game experience. Their crowd does some neat and weird shit. Stadium is neat, tons of fans, saw the hawks lose once in the 70's and saw Fry's teams win twice and KF's 2003 team hold on with great goal line stand which was pure heaven.. Their fans were giving Alvarez so much shit that game around us that the fans left us alone.

I/we had decent personal experiences but I know of people who were roughly treated by some of there fans. I dont think a lot of their fans are looking to give the visitors a bad time but I know it has happened.

University Ave is on the south side of the stadium IIRC and it is a wide street with wide sidewalks and lots of partying going on.
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A lot has apparently changed in the last 15 years
 
I've had the privilege of attending Iowa games at every away B1G venue other than Nebraska.

I rate my Madison experiences only slightly behind Ohio State (when they actively promoted Heini-gate) as the #1 party atmosphere I've been to. (Been to OSU twice).

I don't think you'll be disappointed.
 
Fryowa said:
A lot has apparently changed in the last 15 years
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Very well could be. I suspect with all the winning they have been doing that maybe a lot of their fans are now arrogant and feel they should win every home game. And a smaller subset of their fans are rowdy to belligerent.

Wisky wasnt very good when I was there about '75 (Butch Caldwell was QB) and Fry was kicking them pretty good when I went there in the 80's. That 2003 game was great and I just love to watch the hilites on you tube. Especially when Alvarez called time out right before the first half to try to ice Kaeding on a near 50 yard field goal try. Kaeding just drilled it and ran around on the field looking at the Wisky sideline. Loved it.
 
Never had a bad experience there. I will be putting that reputation on the line in November.

We once bought someone's season tickets for the Minnesota game (usually last one of the year). The season tickets allowed us to park in a secured university lot close to the stadium for tailgating. University avenue was down directly below us and the Minnesota fans in the lot raised a ruckus when the gopher team busses whizzed past.

Camp Randall itself has a good football atmosphere.

Everything you've heard about the bar scene on Regent, Dayton and State streets is true. Very racuous scene for those who want a taste of what downtown Nashville is like.

If you want to avoid the crowded postgame Madison restaurant scene (and get a head start on your trip home) I would recommend Sugar River in Verona, the Grumpy Troll in Mount Horeb, or Bob's Bitchin BBQ in Dodgeville. Or you could swing by Northside Hawk's place for my wife's chili or pasty or Swiss steak or whatever specialty she has cooking.:)
 
I wouldn't. And would certainly not wear Iowa gear.

Been there several times. Wife graduated from there.

Lots of drunken idiots wandering about. With a Glock, yes, without, no.
 
Wear Illinois gear. They'll just laugh at you. You're Good! F Madison and the vadgers....I hope Stanley gets his last laugh against these assholes.
 
Jonrn said:
I live in Florida and try to make it back to Iowa city for the best home game every year. I was going to come home for penn state, but due to some family circumstances, I had to cancel. All of Iowa’s other home games are not overly appealing, so I did some research about heading to Madison November 9th

Airline tickets to Chicago or Madison are not too expensive (cheaper than CR or DSM) and tickets to the game on stubhub and vivid seats are way cheaper ($40-50 cheaper) than kinnick for penn state. So besides the hotel situation, it seems like a good deal, other than the chance of it being in single digit temps in Madison in November.

So to you who’ve been...is it worth it? Good experience? Any suggestions or travel tips?
Click to expand...

We are heading from Orlando to Chicago and taking in the NW game on 10/26.

IMO, ALL B1G visits, within "traditional Big 10", are worthy. Can't speak for Nebraska, PSU, Maryland or Rutgers. They may be "conference members" of "B1G", but will NEVER be "Bjg 10". Ever.

Oh, and pay no attention to ticket prices. The "fees" may be as much as face value of ticket.
 
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Seth53 said:
Been there three times and have immensely enjoyed every game.
Of course Iowa has won every game I've seen them play there.
The stadium is like two blocks from downtown and alcohol consumpton is not only tolerated, it's promoted. Fun place.

I come up through Dubuque and stay the night before in Dodgeville.

I park on the west end of town and ride the public bus to the stadium/downtown area. Buses run quite frequently afterwards too.

I've never had a bad experience, in fact, just the opposite. Sure there are rogue idiots, but that's everywhere. Mad-town roxx.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Madison bars know how to treat visiting fans.
 
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