The Lincoln Gameday Experience

[Jayne Cobb]

CU winning on the last play of the game certainly had a lot to do with it, but my wife and I had a great time in Lincoln. Some thoughts—

The people were (almost) uniformly friendly and welcoming. Every time I turned around during the pre-game period people were saying “welcome to Lincoln.” Often I got “good luck for your team today.” While I think that most of us in Colorado are polite to visiting fans, that politeness takes the form of indifference. This was something different. There was only one Nebraska jackasss, who got in my face as we were walking into the stadium, and yelled “you guys are going to get killed.” I congratulated him on being the only rude Nebraska fan I had seen.

The Nebraska band learned and played the CU fight song at the game, which was surprising and very classy. I am sure that it is a traditional thing for all visiting teams, but it is a great gesture of goodwill.

The stadium itself is big and loud, but the stadium experience left something to be desired. We were in (I think) the west end zone (hard to say, as there are no mountains to tell me what was west). There were essentially zero concessions, except for some kids selling sodapop and runzas (kind of like a hot pocket) out of portable containers. You had to walk all the way down to the ground level (we were in row 98) to get to a bathroom. At the end of the game, after CU won, all the Nebraska fans seemed to stay in their seats. I asked one of them what was going on, was there a post-game thing they were waiting for, and he said that there was so little egress from the stadium that there was no point in getting up and trying to leave, and that lots of people waited for a half hour so that the crowd thinned out a bit. It did take a while to get out.

The Haymarket was pretty cool, but a lot smaller than I thought it would be. I would take Pearl Street or Lodo any day of the week.

The Nebraska fans are real serious about tailgating. They made CU tailgating look like a joke, and a bad joke at that.

 

[Jello Bear]

The Nebraska fans are real serious about tailgating. They made CU tailgating look like a joke, and a bad joke at that.

It's literally the only thing to do in that state. Here, we can catch a mtn bike ride, a hike, or even a morning of powder skiing before a game; they don't have anything better to do.

 

[Waylon Van Smack]

Nice, glad you had fun and were treated well.

Being from Omaha, Lincoln has gotten far better over the last 15 years or so and has turned into a small city. If anything it's over saturated with party areas, O street, Haymarket and the rail yard all within walking distance has almost made it to where no one single bar or area gets overcrowded.

Most Nebraska fans feel the traveling fans of another team are their best fans. The tailgates are a blast. Ours featured a whole hog bbq, satellite with 3 tvs, beers from across the nation.

The south end zone is the last side that will be updated, it was designed before moving fans quickly was ever a priority, all the exits are old and can't be altered since the old stadium is on the historical register. Getting in or out just plain sucks and it really always will.

 

[Waylon Van Smack]

It's literally the only thing to do in that state. Here, we can catch a mtn bike ride, a hike, or even a morning of powder skiing before a game; they don't have anything better to do.

So what you're saying is Nebraskans are making the most of what little we have to do? That's fair. It takes a long time to get into town, a long time to get out, there are literally 2 times the people attending the avg CU game and another equal amount that just watch at their tailgate or from a local bar. Literally about 1/6th of the state's population is packed into a 2 mile radius of the game. It can be fun if you take advantage or silly if you want to compare it to any other states situation for fandom. It doesn't make sense to a lot of people.

2 nights earlier Nebraska played Creighton in Volleyball in Omaha and they set the all time attendance record for a regular season VB game at 14200. The same night Metalica was in town in Lincoln and no less than 6 mid-venue sized concerts. We as a people get out of the house, it's just different.

 

[Buffnik]

It's literally the only thing to do in that state. Here, we can catch a mtn bike ride, a hike, or even a morning of powder skiing before a game; they don't have anything better to do.

That's not really why, though.

Rick, Lance and the boys have been working hard to fix some things that led to CU tailgating being less than it should be. The improvements at Franklin and the addition of the Buff Walk are a big deal with that effort.

Next step is to completely re-imagine the areas where we have family housing and the old practice fields. Need to add better bridges across Boulder Creek while paving lots and placing permanent stadiums for lacrosse, soccer and other field sports over there. Turn that into the major tailgating area so that folks come up from there through the Buff Walk.

Last, we need to see more outreach to fans outside of the Denver metro. We need to have things set up so that folks are showing up in the RVs a day or 2 before the game. That creek area would be ideal for that. The tours help. But work needs to be done to expand those efforts. Lots of people in El Paso, Pueblo and Mesa counties in particular.

 

[Darth Snow]

My Lincoln gameday experience review:

I've never had more experiences with opposing fans. Which is part of why I've never had more unpleasant experiences with opposing fans. And they were all before the game. There was a strange energy in the air. Or it was really humid. Maybe they were overly hyped. Maybe they were nervous. Fans kept coming up to us and talking about how nice they were and asking if everyone was being nice. Some of them were genuinely being nice. Most were obviously going through the motions of living up to the reputation. It was a slimy feeling when they would pause and expect you to gush about how nice they were. I've detailed a couple of the weird interactions in the roadbuffs thread, but the one that is, if not typical, most sticking, was the one of the old guy going on about how he wished us CU fans were as nice as Nebraska fans because he had a rock through his window the last time he was in Boulder before remembering to tell me to have a "good time" as I walked out the door.

Now, there was lots of good, healthy, "**** CUs" thrown our way by the younger crowd. Unbidden, mind you. We don't go walking around starting **** during road games. But we happily participate in spirited debate when engaged. 99% of the time, it's in good fun and everyone laughs. Overall, I'd say we had a normal amount of these interactions. It was the passive aggressive and self congratulatory tone of the other ones that created the unique part of the Lincoln gameday experience.

As we approached the stadium, the interjections of "have a good time" and "I hope you are being treated nice" basically went away. We were persona non grata. We weren't hated. We were invisible. Also strange. We were ignored. Normally that is when opposing fans really say things to you. This time, nothing.

During the game, I know we were up high, but the stadium just wasn't all that loud. We could sing the fight song all we wanted. Never drowned out. I didn't even locate their student section until the 2d half since they weren't doing much. When they took the lead I waited for the place to go crazy... but it didn't happen. I was trying to convince myself it was only being way up high, but in the 3d quarter, they did a husker power chant and it got loud. They also got loud on a couple plays... but nothing sustained. Nothing like what I thought 85k people should have put out for a game as epic as that one was. Once we won it was beautifully quiet. Other than the fight song of course. That was audible. Clearly.

After the game, there was no real angry **** talking from the defeated huskers. We had some good games thrown our way. A few had an edge to them and were through gritted teeth. But once that was done, it was like a spell was broken. The passive aggressive stuf was gone. The "good games' were done. They weren't angry, well, mostly. I'd describe the attitude we faced as crushed.

Even later, we weren't around the old timers anymore, and some good fun conversations were had as we celebrated at their decent bar scene at the haymarket. Also, they are TERRIBLE at trash talk. Some college chick told us to go back to Boulder and smoke weed. She was confused when we laughed.

TL;DR: very strange fanbase that is extremely passive aggressive. Also, a very friendly and quiet game day experience once in the stadium.

(P.S. Lincoln is an ugly ugly town outside of a few spots)

 

[FightCu1414]

My Lincoln gameday experience review:

I've never had more experiences with opposing fans. Which is part of why I've never had more unpleasant experiences with opposing fans. And they were all before the game. There was a strange energy in the air. Or it was really humid. Maybe they were overly hyped. Maybe they were nervous. Fans kept coming up to us and talking about how nice they were and asking if everyone was being nice. Some of them were genuinely being nice. Most were obviously going through the motions of living up to the reputation. It was a slimy feeling when they would pause and expect you to gush about how nice they were. I've detailed a couple of the weird interactions in the roadbuffs thread, but the one that is, if not typical, most sticking, was the one of the old guy going on about how he wished us CU fans were as nice as Nebraska fans because he had a rock through his window the last time he was in Boulder before remembering to tell me to have a "good time" as I walked out the door.

Now, there was lots of good, healthy, "**** CUs" thrown our way by the younger crowd. Unbidden, mind you. We don't go walking around starting **** during road games. But we happily participate in spirited debate when engaged. 99% of the time, it's in good fun and everyone laughs. Overall, I'd say we had a normal amount of these interactions. It was the passive aggressive and self congratulatory tone of the other ones that created the unique part of the Lincoln gameday experience.

As we approached the stadium, the interjections of "have a good time" and "I hope you are being treated nice" basically went away. We were persona non grata. We weren't hated. We were invisible. Also strange. We were ignored. Normally that is when opposing fans really say things to you. This time, nothing.

During the game, I know we were up high, but the stadium just wasn't all that loud. We could sing the fight song all we wanted. Never drowned out. I didn't even locate their student section until the 2d half since they weren't doing much. When they took the lead I waited for the place to go crazy... but it didn't happen. I was trying to convince myself it was only being way up high, but in the 3d quarter, they did a husker power chant and it got loud. They also got loud on a couple plays... but nothing sustained. Nothing like what I thought 85k people should have put out for a game as epic as that one was. Once we won it was beautifully quiet. Other than the fight song of course. That was audible. Clearly.

After the game, there was no real angry **** talking from the defeated huskers. We had some good games thrown our way. A few had an edge to them and were through gritted teeth. But once that was done, it was like a spell was broken. The passive aggressive stuf was gone. The "good games' were done. They weren't angry, well, mostly. I'd describe the attitude we faced as crushed.

Even later, we weren't around the old timers anymore, and some good fun conversations were had as we celebrated at their decent bar scene at the haymarket. Also, they are TERRIBLE at trash talk. Some college chick told us to go back to Boulder and smoke weed. She was confused when we laughed.

TL;DR: very strange fanbase that is extremely passive aggressive. Also, a very friendly and quiet game day experience once in the stadium.

(P.S. Lincoln is an ugly ugly town outside of a few spots)

Had the same exact experience to a tee. Had some kid in an Uber way **** you. I responded sorry you have to live here and watch a ****ty team and he acted like he was going to get out of the Uber it was hilarious. Lots of strange passive aggressiveness. Crowd was kinda meh. Folsoms been louder. Had a blast though. I was sitting in section 20, row 87. Any other AllBuffs in that area? Had some dumb high school corn Husker fan who was annoying as hell.

 

[hawg1]

That's not really why, though.

Rick, Lance and the boys have been working hard to fix some things that led to CU tailgating being less than it should be. The improvements at Franklin and the addition of the Buff Walk are a big deal with that effort.

Next step is to completely re-imagine the areas where we have family housing and the old practice fields. Need to add better bridges across Boulder Creek while paving lots and placing permanent stadiums for lacrosse, soccer and other field sports over there. Turn that into the major tailgating area so that folks come up from there through the Buff Walk.

Last, we need to see more outreach to fans outside of the Denver metro. We need to have things set up so that folks are showing up in the RVs a day or 2 before the game. That creek area would be ideal for that. The tours help. But work needs to be done to expand those efforts. Lots of people in El Paso, Pueblo and Mesa counties in particular.

Good post

 

[Not Sure]

Last, we need to see more outreach to fans outside of the Denver metro. We need to have things set up so that folks are showing up in the RVs a day or 2 before the game. That creek area would be ideal for that. The tours help. But work needs to be done to expand those efforts. Lots of people in El Paso, Pueblo and Mesa counties in particular.

I would love to see an actual RV Park on or near the CU campus.

 

[Gary Indiana]

I would love to see an actual RV Park on or near the CU campus.

No

 

[Not Sure]

No

Allow me to explain myself: if we could get 100 or so people with RVs to set up every fall for the Football season, the possibilities would be incredible. Those 100 RVs could travel with the team, or stay in Boulder. I’d love to have a set up like that for when I retire.


And I don’t care if you like it or not.

 

[manhattanbuff]

Allow me to explain myself: if we could get 100 or so people with RVs to set up every fall for the Football season, the possibilities would be incredible. Those 100 RVs could travel with the team, or stay in Boulder. I’d love to have a set up like that for when I retire.


And I don’t care if you like it or not.

The city of boulder will be a likely foe for such a setup.

 

[Not Sure]

The city of boulder will be a likely foe for such a setup.

The city of Boulder can’t do a damned thing about what CU does with its own property.

 

[Gary Indiana]

Allow me to explain myself: if we could get 100 or so people with RVs to set up every fall for the Football season, the possibilities would be incredible. Those 100 RVs could travel with the team, or stay in Boulder. I’d love to have a set up like that for when I retire.


And I don’t care if you like it or not.

Yeah, and then we can build a trailer park next to it for student housing. Get Golden Corral to cater game day, and try and snag Family Dollar for stadium naming rights.

 

[Not Sure]

Yeah, and then we can build a trailer park next to it for student housing. Get Golden Corral to cater game day, and try and snag Family Dollar for stadium naming rights.

I’m not sure how you are equating an RV Park to a trailer park, but whatever. RVs can run up to a million dollars.

https://www.campanda.com/magazine/15-best-luxury-rv-resorts-campgrounds/

 

[WarBuff]

Yeah, and then we can build a trailer park next to it for student housing. Get Golden Corral to cater game day, and try and snag Family Dollar for stadium naming rights.

I vote CiCi’s pizza over Golden Coral.

 

[Buffnik]

I would love to see an actual RV Park on or near the CU campus.

They should have done it as part of the South Campus with the open space down there. Lots of trails & nature. Walkable to main campus.

 

[manhattanbuff]

The city of Boulder can’t do a damned thing about what CU does with its own property.

You said “on or near the cu campus”. The ‘near’ campus elements are definitely regulated by the city of boulder. I’d like to do more research about regulations the city has about setting up RV parks (esp. given hookups to city/county sewers) than blanketly stating that the municipal government has no jurisdiction.

 

[Not Sure]

You said “on or near the cu campus”. The ‘near’ campus elements are definitely regulated by the city of boulder. I’d like to do more research about regulations the city has about setting up RV parks (esp. given hookups to city/county sewers) than blanketly stating that the municipal government has no jurisdiction.

I’m blanketly stating that the city has absolutely zero juristriction over what CU does on its own property.

 

[manhattanbuff]

I’m blankety stating that the city has absolutely zero juristriction over what CU does in its own property.

You’re an attorney specializing in the matter, huh? I didn’t realize that you’re the legal expert about local municipalities having zero regulatory oversight about campuses. You’re going to have to cite some case law on that one.

 

[Not Sure]

You’re an attorney specializing in the matter, huh? I didn’t realize that you’re the legal expert about local municipalities having zero regulatory oversight about campuses. You’re going to have to cite some case law on that one.

I didn’t realize that it took the credentials of an attorney to understand the fact that a state entity has jurisdiction over municipalities on properties it owns. Perhaps you can come up with case law that shows the opposite? You’re the attorney, after all.

 

[Darth Snow]

I just thought of the phrase to describe the husker niceness. It's bless your heart hospitality

 

[Mb2658]

I would love to see an actual RV Park on or near the CU campus.

Do they not still construct the Shantytown on the Norton Quad during the Conference on World Affairs? You know the mock shantys with all of the high dollar backpacking tents directly behind them?

 

[Not Sure]

I’m getting the sense that many of you have no idea what RV parks actually look like. Millionaires parking their traveling mansions in resorts with clubhouses, swimming pools, restaurants and bars.

 

[slider]

Had the same exact experience to a tee. Had some kid in an Uber way **** you. I responded sorry you have to live here and watch a ****ty team and he acted like he was going to get out of the Uber it was hilarious. Lots of strange passive aggressiveness. Crowd was kinda meh. Folsoms been louder. Had a blast though. I was sitting in section 20, row 87. Any other AllBuffs in that area? Had some dumb high school corn Husker fan who was annoying as hell.

Section 19 row 90. I tried trash talking and no one would take the bait

 

[Gary Indiana]

I’m getting the sense that many of you have no idea what RV parks actually look like. Millionaires parking their traveling mansions in resorts with clubhouses, swimming pools, restaurants and bars.

WTF are you talking about??

 

[Not Sure]

WTF are you talking about??
View attachment 27057

https://www.campanda.com/magazine/15-best-luxury-rv-resorts-campgrounds/

 

[manhattanbuff]

I didn’t realize that it took the credentials of an attorney to understand the fact that a state entity has jurisdiction over municipalities on properties it owns. Perhaps you can come up with case law that shows the opposite? You’re the attorney, after all.

I am not an attorney. I never claimed to be one. You may have me confused with @BuffsNYC.

You’re making a really outlandish claim. It seems like you’d be the one who’d need to support it.

 

[Gary Indiana]

https://www.campanda.com/magazine/15-best-luxury-rv-resorts-campgrounds/

Right, but I provided you with an example of one on a college campus, while you cherry picked the world’s most extravagant RV parks.

Whose depiction do you think is more accurate?

 

[Sideburn]

Section 19 row 90. I tried trash talking and no one would take the bait

Should have told them you nailed the score prediction. Could have made a fortune charging for psychic ag report readings... and by fortune i mean meth.