Game Day Experience

2,640 Views | 26 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by golden sloth
HistoryBear
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I was at the game yesterday. Although it was not the result I wanted, I thought the game day experience was much better.

I took my septuagenarian Asian Mom and she got a kick out of the Cal Band's rally at Sproul. We marched with the band to the stadium and she loved it. Mine you, she is not at all interested in college football or it's traditions. We had no trouble getting into the stadium. Bathroom lines were nonexistent and fairly clean. I didn't find myself irritated with the canned music as I thought the Cal band had plenty of opportunities to play. The drone show was awesome and the stadium was fairly loud with Cal fans actively taking part in cheers at section CC. In fact, I was very pleased with how polite and welcoming Cal fans were to our Auburn visitors.

It was a nice eveningnot cold and not hot, just right. The campus and Berkeley in general looked great. In fact, the city overall is much cleaner than I remember. That's not saying much as I live and work in San Francisco. Overall, I felt a great sense of pride with the whole experience.
SBGold
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It was all set up to be great night and great atmosphere. And then our football team played and messed it all up
smh
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SBGold said:

It was all set up to be great night and great atmosphere. And then our football team played and messed it all up
Cal88
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SBGold said:

It was all set up to be great night and great atmosphere. And then our football team played and messed it all up

We were very hospitable, especially with our kicking game.
calumnus
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Cal88 said:

SBGold said:

It was all set up to be great night and great atmosphere. And then our football team played and messed it all up

We were very hospitable, especially with our kicking game.


Our blocking schemes were very welcoming! Our backfield is your backfield!

We were polite enough to give them advanced notice of every play and not give them any surprises that might upset them.

Their players repeatedly took cheap shots on our players after plays, but we did not retaliate and simply turned the other cheek. We were great hosts.
HistoryBear
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I get it. But I am proud of how Cal fans behaved at the game. We were very classy. No fights or boorish behavior like previous years. I'm not going to pretend I was one of the best behaved as a Cal fan. I got into a fight with an $C fan when I was a student as well as some not so pleasant shoving with a furd fan. I've reformed in my old age.
kal kommie
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This game had the best atmosphere in many years. Part was the opponent, as Auburn is the biggest program to visit Memorial since Texas in 2016. Easy to build a great atmosphere when you have a big crowd and a close game that everyone knows whas an outsized national audience. But the best part of the atmosphere was the near-zero canned music aside from the noise they blast on 3rd/4th down. Near the end of one of the many replay reviews I heard them start to play Earth, Wind and Fire's September which would have been a rare exception to my ban on canned music on a warm September night with a jazzed crowd.

Even when the Cal band was indisposed for a long stretch before halftime while moving down to field level in preparation for the halftime show, we were spared the plague of canned music. This in itself was greatly appreciated but it was disappointing how little the Cal band took advantage of the added sound space. They let several timeouts go without playing anything even when there was no audio promotion to compete with.

In the not-too-distant past, the Cal band used to play other songs besides Big C, Fight, and Sons during the course of the game, and I'm not talking about the pregame or halftime shows. Two of their songs I was very fond of were Carry On My Wayward Son and Separate Ways. The band used to play so much during the game that I would hear both songs multiple times per season. Then it became just once per season. Now it's maybe every other season, with the real possibility that every time they play either song will be the last time.

The band has also forgot some of its former protocols for songs to play in response to game events, particularly for the defense. A turnover used to always be followed by Big C. A sack had been followed by Iron Man for at least the 30+ years I've been attending. The band has forgotten these practices and also much less rarely supplies even just a drumline between defensive downs.

Whenever a visiting band comes to Memorial, I am always struck by how much more frequently they seem to play at their own discretion than we do. I hope our band can recover though I have no idea how it functions internally or whether anyone with any influence over the band feels the same way I do.

Aside from the music complaints, I think they need to re-think their entertainment choices. Get rid of the Bear Growl and the pathetic new California Gladiators combat competition they've just introduced. The Bear Growl was cute originally when we got to see the kid drag away the giant bear while both of the runners-up got normal sized bears. Eventually however the cheapskates started the long slide of prize reduction. First the giant bear was discontinued and the winner only got the normal sized bear while the runners-up got gift bags or t-shirts or whatever Learfield came up with for that season. Now it seems they all get gift cards.

That seems so obviously short-sighted to me. The little kid who wins the giant bear is amazing opportunity for Cal football to acquire a lifelong follower or even better an opportunity for the kid to fall in love with UC Berkeley and gain determination to become a Cal student and alumnus. Not to mention, seeing the kid receive the giant bear was usually the only genuinely entertaining part of this "competition" whose competitive integrity is non-existent.

Ultimately I just want Cal to think bigger picture with the gameday atmosphere. They need to consider every component of the gameday experience as it existed before the remodel as part of a culture which as a body is extremely valuable to the football program. They need to consider very carefully about whether or not they're harming the entire body when they modify or eliminate some component. They have made major changes in the gameday atmosphere over the last decade and I bet they haven't given much thought at all to the impacts.

BTW that 3rd and 17 was probably the loudest I can remember Memorial in the last few years. Too bad it was followed by that incredible catch to convert by Auburn's WR Fairweather.
JSC 76
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kal kommie said:


Even when the Cal band was indisposed for a long stretch before halftime while moving down to field level in preparation for the halftime show, we were spared the plague of canned music. This in itself was greatly appreciated but it was disappointing how little the Cal band took advantage of the added sound space. They let several timeouts go without playing anything even when there was no audio promotion to compete with.

In the not-too-distant past, the Cal band used to play other songs besides Big C, Fight, and Sons during the course of the game, and I'm not talking about the pregame or halftime shows. Two of their songs I was very fond of were Carry On My Wayward Son and Separate Ways. The band used to play so much during the game that I would hear both songs multiple times per season. Then it became just once per season. Now it's maybe every other season, with the real possibility that every time they play either song will be the last time.

The band has also forgot some of its former protocols for songs to play in response to game events, particularly for the defense. A turnover used to always be followed by Big C. A sack had been followed by Iron Man for at least the 30+ years I've been attending. The band has forgotten these practices and also much less rarely supplies even just a drumline between defensive downs.

Whenever a visiting band comes to Memorial, I am always struck by how much more frequently they seem to play at their own discretion than we do. I hope our band can recover though I have no idea how it functions internally or whether anyone with any influence over the band feels the same way I do.
Hear, hear! The Band used to do an awesome rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit. And Fat Bottomed Girls has been part of the repertoire for decades.

When was the last time you heard Golden Bear, or Indian Song, or Stanford Jonah played during short breaks, or even while moving the chains after a big play?

But I'm not optimistic. Once institutional amnesia has set in it's nearly impossible to recover. There's no one affiliated with the Band who remembers how things used to be done, and (like all spirit organizations) there appears to be no interest in learning.

If I ever give up and cancel my season tickets it won't be because the quality of football is poor -- I've seen many, many bad Cal football teams. It will be because they've sucked all the fun and tradition out of the game day experience.
BearBoarBlarney
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Just wanted to give kudos to the students. From my vantage point, the student section looked absolutely packed in the first half. It seemed to thin out a bit after halftime, but the kids showed out on Saturday night.
C6Bear
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Fix the sound system! Out of sync and constant reverb made what was coming out of it virtually unintelligible. Fine for the never-ending promotions but not for game action.
RedlessWardrobe
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My comment is I sat in section DD (bench seats) and basically 90% of the seat numbers on the benches were non existent (somehow scratched out?).

Yes I was capable of still figuring out where my seat was, but call me old school - when your institution or business sells a ticket to an event to the public to create revenue, isn't the right thing to do is make the seat number visible to customers? What I'm saying is, for the number one rated public university in the country, this is quite a bad look.
JSC 76
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C6Bear said:

Fix the sound system! Out of sync and constant reverb made what was coming out of it virtually unintelligible. Fine for the never-ending promotions but not for game action.
I guess somebody did "Testing, one, two..." before the game and said 'Yep! Sounds good to me!"
Bearspot
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kal kommie said:


Aside from the music complaints, I think they need to re-think their entertainment choices. Get rid of the Bear Growl and the pathetic new California Gladiators combat competition they've just introduced. The Bear Growl was cute originally when we got to see the kid drag away the giant bear while both of the runners-up got normal sized bears. Eventually however the cheapskates started the long slide of prize reduction. First the giant bear was discontinued and the winner only got the normal sized bear while the runners-up got gift bags or t-shirts or whatever Learfield came up with for that season. Now it seems they all get gift cards.

That seems so obviously short-sighted to me. The little kid who wins the giant bear is amazing opportunity for Cal football to acquire a lifelong follower or even better an opportunity for the kid to fall in love with UC Berkeley and gain determination to become a Cal student and alumnus. Not to mention, seeing the kid receive the giant bear was usually the only genuinely entertaining part of this "competition" whose competitive integrity is non-existent.
Simple way to imrove the Bear Growl: Put 3 grown-ass men in the competition and let them growl. Then give out the plush bears as prizes.

I dunno what Cal is thinking with the gift cards. If I was one of those kids I'd be all "W T F?" Big plush bear is a great visual.
MrGPAC
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I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
BearInTennisShoes
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The concession lines continue to be absurd. I'm not going to miss a quarter of football action standing in line to buy a soggy pretzel. Money is staying in fans' pockets when they see the line and say never mind. They need to figure this out already.
DoubtfulBear
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MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours
Strykur
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DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours

Unless you want to pitch a tent on campus I have never bothered tailgating, I just swing by my fraternity and see if anything is going on.
DoubtfulBear
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Strykur said:

DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours

Unless you want to pitch a tent on campus I have never bothered tailgating, I just swing by my fraternity and see if anything is going on.
Are the frats still doing BBQs and playing music on game days? I haven't been back in over a decade, but I can't imagine them caring about game day when the team continues to lose in the most boring way possible
oski003
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DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours


There has never been parking lot tailgating at CMS, at least since the 90s, when I was a student. What do you suggest we redesign to allow for such?
MrGPAC
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DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours
I was mostly referencing the in stadium experience.

Tailgating at memorial will always be challenging due to the parking constraints / space to do it.
Strykur
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DoubtfulBear said:

Strykur said:

DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours
Unless you want to pitch a tent on campus I have never bothered tailgating, I just swing by my fraternity and see if anything is going on.
Are the frats still doing BBQs and playing music on game days? I haven't been back in over a decade, but I can't imagine them caring about game day when the team continues to lose in the most boring way possible
Most fraternities depending on the opponent will definitely have something for certain gamedays, I would imagine the SC game will be bananas no matter the teams' records.
DoubtfulBear
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oski003 said:

DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours


There has never been parking lot tailgating at CMS, at least since the 90s, when I was a student. What do you suggest we redesign to allow for such?
Ideally we kick out the local residents in People's Park for a tailgating venue. Otherwise, I don't see why we can't use Edwards Stadium since there are rarely events going on there in the fall
oski003
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DoubtfulBear said:

oski003 said:

DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours


There has never been parking lot tailgating at CMS, at least since the 90s, when I was a student. What do you suggest we redesign to allow for such?
Ideally we kick out the local residents in People's Park for a tailgating venue. Otherwise, I don't see why we can't use Edwards Stadium since there are rarely events going on there in the fall


I don't think the city wants folks tailgating and then walking through the city. That would be incredibly difficult to manage. I suppose folks at Edwards can be corralled up Bancroft. However, do people want to tailgate that far from the game?
eabandit
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If we're set on gift cards, I'm willing to put up the money for the giant bear plush and two small bear plushes. Can someone connect me to make it happen?
DoubtfulBear
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oski003 said:

DoubtfulBear said:

oski003 said:

DoubtfulBear said:

MrGPAC said:

I'm curious how many people lamenting the game day experience have gone to games at other stadiums.

Our awful gameday experience was a LOT better than USC's when I attended the Cal game there last year. The advertisers are able to mute the home team bands so they can run their promotions...it was actually quite pleasant at USC because they had to adhere to those rules and barely played.

Further, their in game promotions were worse than ours, their competitions had worse prizes and the participants were far worse (at no point did it look like their punt/pass/kick had ANY chance at succeeding...could have been a one off...but still).

By any chance is whoever is managing our gameday experience part of the Pac12? Is there any chance we can ditch whoever they are when we move to the ACC?
The Coliseum and even the Rose Bowl has a far better tailgating experience than ours


There has never been parking lot tailgating at CMS, at least since the 90s, when I was a student. What do you suggest we redesign to allow for such?
Ideally we kick out the local residents in People's Park for a tailgating venue. Otherwise, I don't see why we can't use Edwards Stadium since there are rarely events going on there in the fall


I don't think the city wants folks tailgating and then walking through the city. That would be incredibly difficult to manage. I suppose folks at Edwards can be corralled up Bancroft. However, do people want to tailgate that far from the game?
It's a far safer and more interesting walk with distance comparable to going from USC campus to LA Coliseum
calumnus
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If it is just one or two people BART is a great way to get to the game. Berkeley has a ton of great eating and drinking places with TVs to watch football and hang out with the crowd pregame and postgame. For visitors, it has to be better than a venue that relies on tailgating.

The only times we "tailgate" for Cal home games are when I have a large group, usually when my friends from UCLA are up for the game. Then we usually just bring take out (used to be Flint's or Poulet) and beer and wine to the Faculty Club and Memorial Grove and throw everything in the trash afterward.

I always attend tailgates at UCLA and Stanford, partly because there isn't any other option.

I guess thinking about it, tailgating is good for generating more of a social scene, people going to games as much to get together and drink and BBQ with friends and see old classmates as see a football game. I think that can help draw bigger crowds from the non-football loving alums. I know at Stanford there are many who stay at the tailgate through the entire game.
golden sloth
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I'm surprised how the number of bars keeps dwindling.
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