First USM Game... sort of. What to do???

[Conveyor Belt]

Okay,

I am FINALLY going to get to go to a USM game. 1st, let me say that damn, those tickets for my wife and kid were EXPENSIVE. Since I get in free, it breaks down to around $13 a person, which I can stomach, but on an individual ticket level, it's bothersome.

Anyhow, I know it's the blackout game, so we have some black shirts to wear (too poor to be able to afford the game day shirt).

I kinda... okay, I really have NO idea what I'm doing or where to go. I haven't been to a game since the early 90's. And I only went to one (Thank you Dr. Stevens.... RIP). The lady at the Ferlise center helped me choose which section to sit in, and the plan is to present the two bought tickets as my wife and my tickets and have the kid stand/sit on our laps. with attendance the way it is, I'm pretty sure once the game is underway, we can move to where we want to sit...

We're sitting in NN, which is upperdeck.

I want to do a bit of 'tailgating' before the game, but have NO idea how that works or what is involved. Since I'm a College of Health student, I'm going to go visit their tent for some food... any other tents giving away free food? Who has the best and where are they located?

Also, any activities for the 5yo? I want this to be a fun time for him, so anything he can do would be great. Free is the price I want to pay for him to do stuff.

What are the traditions before the game? Anything? Eaglewalk? What and where is that?

Anything a MUST see and do?

I feel kinda stupid, but not stupid enough not to ask...

[58ford]

Personally I don't watch much football, but tailgating, that means food & beer, so what I usually do is wander around & pretend to be interested in the game, while eating other peoples food & drinking their beer.
Note: Bring handi-wipes.

[noway]

The Eagle Walk procession will begin two hours prior to kickoff of all six home games from the north side of the Bobby Chain Science Tower and proceed down Black and Gold Blvd., and past the Athletic Center. The procession will then turn South on Eagle Walk and enter the Athletic Center by Gate 8 of the football stadium.

I think alot of the kids stuff is by the payne center in that open field.. Im not for sure. If you are up to alot of walking just park and get after it.. Lots of things to do and see around the tailgating areas. Most of the corporate tents offer free stuff but you kinda have to see someone you know and and start talking to them and they will feed you or give you beer. (not that I do this just heard a rumour about it)

I end up working all the home games on campus and its just neat watching all the things going on.. If you're up fo rthe walking you will have plenty of enjoyment about the day on campus..

[fuzzis]

I think I'm tailgating this weekend. The only other time I went to a USM home game and tailgated, I had a miserable time. :smt009

I'm hoping that alcohol will make this outing more pleasant. :-D

[Conveyor Belt]

Which brings up the issue of where do I park?

[noway]

I know at halftime they let kids come down to the field and welcome the team back from halftime.. That might be for jr eagle club members.. Maybe somebody will know for sure. Also after the game I think fans can come on the field and watch the band play..

[Fish-Bait]

I always park at Reed Greene and walk. easier to get out to 49 after the game to me.

[58ford]

Which brings up the issue of where do I park?If you get there early enough you can park near campus, but if you get there late you can park downtown & take a cab.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Try Eagle Fun Land before the game. They have games and a fun jump. Sometimes the Army tent has a rock climbing wall. The Eagle Walk is 2 hours before the game and you'll see the band, the cheerleaders, Seymour, the coaches and the players. Several cooperate tents have free food....banks, churches, radio stations. The Grand had a tent several weeks ago with awesome barbecue. I park in the big dirt lot down from Hillcrest dorm. It's a walk but it's really easy to get out of if you want to leave early.

[Hob684]

i always park at the doctors office behind the exxon(?) across from lake byron... park in the grass.. then i can take backroads till i need to cross hardy again.

there is free food at 103.7's tent.. the little butcher shoppe i think(is that evena real place?)

kid stuff on Pride field.. stay the whole game and then go on the field and watch the 5th qtr concert the band puts on... let the kids meet the players, kick bower in teh shins, and run around playin football.

Eagle walk is good.... see the band, football players, kick bower in teh shins, dixie darlins (WHOO!), cheerleaders and seymour.

[countrygirl]

I've been disappointed this year at game days and times....we bought season tickets which included one for a 9 year old grandster. When games are on weeknights before school the next day, we don't go as he has to be in bed early for school the next day. I know the school makes lots of money off tv, but I really think I will "rethink" buying season tickets next year until I actually look at the schedule first.

[Hob684]

forget all that crap CB. Just position yoself and streak nakid across the field in the 4th QTR. You'll be mo famous than those air plane teens and have women hanging all over you. :smt118

Look at him go Betty! :smt103


CB.. no offense.. but please.. don't..

my eyes will burn and i will be forced to pluck them out.. although the image will be seared into my brain for all eternity.


think of the children!

[libra]

Which brings up the issue of where do I park?

I used to park at the softball fields, its not that far of a walk. Plus, you can stop by the End Zone and grab a beer on the way back, LOL

[Tommy9854]

I used to park at the softball fields, its not that far of a walk. Plus, you can stop by the End Zone and grab a beer on the way back, LOL

I used to park there as well....Until the 2nd game of the year, when they started charging $10 to park there. Now I park in front of Snakes...Well, the little strip of asphalt right across from it. Might not seem like a nice place to park, but nothing has ever happened to my vehicle, and being a day game nothing should happen. Plus, it's pretty easy to get out of.

If you ARE willing to pay the $10, the softball field is a good location...Very easy to get out of and miss all the traffic.

[Conveyor Belt]

forget all that crap CB. Just position yoself and streak nakid across the field in the 4th QTR. You'll be mo famous than those air plane teens and have women hanging all over you. :smt118

Look at him go Betty! :smt103

If I weren't a student, Hawkeye, I might be per$ueded to do it...