Parking Lots/Tailgates

[kmax]

I paid my $120 for the season in the south Fieldhouse lot (lot #15, or as I like to call it, the Troy Andersen lot). Typically, I thought parking started 4 hours prior to the game, which would have been 2pm. But there were people in there at least at noon. They were moving the pylons that were blocking the entrances. I feel part of the problem was that MSU did not emphasize this, they didn't put out their normal Game Day press release (which includes information about tailgate/parking times), and had no one there to monitor it. Some kinks still needing to get ironed out...

Yeah parking services wasn't staffed up at all. I don't think they understand the shear numbers.

Yep exactly. A big part of the cluster that was the RV lots (at least on the west side, not sure if the east side RV had the same issues). As you said we were told they would open at 6 on Friday and that parking services would be there checking tags and placing people in a first come first serve manner. Instead, there were people there early afternoon grabbing spots, saving spots etc. People were getting pissed, I know of at least one tailgate that had two RV spots that by the time they came there wasn't two together so had to take two that were apart, which is exactly what I was promised WOULDN'T happen because parking services would be there placing people and when you showed up you would just get the next two available spots. I want to be clear, this is not on the Athletic Dept. Those folks tried to talk parking services out of this dumb idea. This is wholly 100% on parking services not understanding, being unwilling to listen and compromise and being understaffed to handle it as they had said they would.

Having the RV spots be first-come is such a stupid idea! I seriously can't think of why they did this??? Over on the east side, there were RV's set up Friday night in whichever spots they wanted. This left a random spot open, closest to the stadium and wasn't filled by the time people started tailgating. The RV had to drive all the way through the crowds to get to the spot. This would have been the same if it was their reserved spot but I thought this was MSU's reasoning for making RV spots first-come. 4 parking spaces is quite small for those larger RV's. You get your RV in there and then they open up their slide outs and they are halfway in another persons spot.

Exactly!!!! If they had at least followed through on what they said they were doing, while it is still dumb at least it would have avoided the other issues. Just let us all have the same spots we had for the first game please(with exception of shift someone so that one tailgate can have their two spots together). We already met some great folks that we had beside us and would be very happy staying put with all of them and not having to tell folks every week where our new spot is.

[liqud360]

We are bringing the teen sisters to see their brother on the Cannon Crew for the November 9th game. Which stadium food venders are a must?? What about the tailgate area, is it pricey as well??

I wouldn’t bring one penny for the tailgates. Walk around, introduce yourself to people and you’ll get all the food and drink you could ever possibly dream of. The food you’ll find in the tailgates will far exceed anything you can buy.

^^^ This. Just tell them about the young man on the Cannon Crew and you'll be treated like royalty. Most everyone is more than willing to make sure guests are well fed and hydrated!

Thank you both for the kind words and advice. I'll try to put aside that feeling of being an "outsider" at the Cool Kids Table, and make my way around. Now...trying to convince the wife and 2 teen daughters to not be too embarrassed by Dad and his giddiness, I might have to reign that in.

[grizzh8r]

We are bringing the teen sisters to see their brother on the Cannon Crew for the November 9th game. Which stadium food venders are a must?? What about the tailgate area, is it pricey as well??

I wouldn’t bring one penny for the tailgates. Walk around, introduce yourself to people and you’ll get all the food and drink you could ever possibly dream of. The food you’ll find in the tailgates will far exceed anything you can buy.

^^^ This. Just tell them about the young man on the Cannon Crew and you'll be treated like royalty. Most everyone is more than willing to make sure guests are well fed and hydrated!

Thank you both for the kind words and advice. I'll try to put aside that feeling of being an "outsider" at the Cool Kids Table, and make my way around. Now...trying to convince the wife and 2 teen daughters to not be too embarrassed by Dad and his giddiness, I might have to reign that in.

If you do end up needing to grab some grub inside the stadium, you can't go wrong with the smoked turkey legs or the smoked brisket sandwich. Right under section 117, just past the East entrance (follow your nose). Also, last season when I stayed in one game, I had a decent cheese steak from a stand on the North side, just to the right of the scoreboard and end zone cabanas.

[BobcatDel]

They have weights but these work well also. Hook to legs and can put water sand or rocks and as much weight as you choose. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tent-Weights ... thena=true

Yep we got a bunch similar to this and filled with sand. I considered water so I could just empty after and not have to carry but then thought about the problems that might pose for those December playoff games

That and also tie downs to the vehicles on one side worked really well and I fell pretty confident even when the wind comes up that it will be good.

Same here. Filled with sand and works well “most” of time. But in serious wind conditions we also anchored to pickup as KMAX. Our new space is a good 20-25% smaller and I’m not sure we can get pickup in to anchor though. We are thinking about options for most severe wind case. Might have to beg the neighbor spot since they have multiple spaces.

[WalkOn79]

I paid my $120 for the season in the south Fieldhouse lot (lot #15, or as I like to call it, the Troy Andersen lot). Typically, I thought parking started 4 hours prior to the game, which would have been 2pm. But there were people in there at least at noon. They were moving the pylons that were blocking the entrances. I feel part of the problem was that MSU did not emphasize this, they didn't put out their normal Game Day press release (which includes information about tailgate/parking times), and had no one there to monitor it. Some kinks still needing to get ironed out...

Yeah parking services wasn't staffed up at all. I don't think they understand the shear numbers.

Yep exactly. A big part of the cluster that was the RV lots (at least on the west side, not sure if the east side RV had the same issues). As you said we were told they would open at 6 on Friday and that parking services would be there checking tags and placing people in a first come first serve manner. Instead, there were people there early afternoon grabbing spots, saving spots etc. People were getting pissed, I know of at least one tailgate that had two RV spots that by the time they came there wasn't two together so had to take two that were apart, which is exactly what I was promised WOULDN'T happen because parking services would be there placing people and when you showed up you would just get the next two available spots. I want to be clear, this is not on the Athletic Dept. Those folks tried to talk parking services out of this dumb idea. This is wholly 100% on parking services not understanding, being unwilling to listen and compromise and being understaffed to handle it as they had said they would.

Having the RV spots be first-come is such a stupid idea! I seriously can't think of why they did this??? Over on the east side, there were RV's set up Friday night in whichever spots they wanted. This left a random spot open, closest to the stadium and wasn't filled by the time people started tailgating. The RV had to drive all the way through the crowds to get to the spot. This would have been the same if it was their reserved spot but I thought this was MSU's reasoning for making RV spots first-come. 4 parking spaces is quite small for those larger RV's. You get your RV in there and then they open up their slide outs and they are halfway in another persons spot.

Exactly!!!! If they had at least followed through on what they said they were doing, while it is still dumb at least it would have avoided the other issues. Just let us all have the same spots we had for the first game please(with exception of shift someone so that one tailgate can have their two spots together). We already met some great folks that we had beside us and would be very happy staying put with all of them and not having to tell folks every week where our new spot is.

This! Just let us have the same spots as Gold Rush!

[kmax]

They have weights but these work well also. Hook to legs and can put water sand or rocks and as much weight as you choose. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tent-Weights ... thena=true

Yep we got a bunch similar to this and filled with sand. I considered water so I could just empty after and not have to carry but then thought about the problems that might pose for those December playoff games

That and also tie downs to the vehicles on one side worked really well and I fell pretty confident even when the wind comes up that it will be good.

Same here. Filled with sand and works well “most” of time. But in serious wind conditions we also anchored to pickup as KMAX. Our new space is a good 20-25% smaller and I’m not sure we can get pickup in to anchor though. We are thinking about options for most severe wind case. Might have to beg the neighbor spot since they have multiple spaces.

Yeah, we definitely had to reconfigure with the change in space size. I will admit to having a friend go up and measure the spots as soon as the lines were painted and then producing a to-scale drawing of how we would fit the two vehicles along the west side of the new tent and how the tent and trailer would be put into the spots. It amazingly turned out exactly how I drew it up! #nerdalert

[Bocephus]

Heading to the Mercyhurst game. Is there any place in the tailgates that sells food? Would like to grab a hamburger or something by the stadium.

[tdub]

Heading to the Mercyhurst game. Is there any place in the tailgates that sells food? Would like to grab a hamburger or something by the stadium.

There isn’t a vendor around that will compare to the food at most tailgates. Be social, walk around and introduce yourself and you’ll have all the food (and drink) that you can handle.

[110010110]

Heading to the Mercyhurst game. Is there any place in the tailgates that sells food? Would like to grab a hamburger or something by the stadium.

There is a concession stand with a window that opens out to the tailgates. Its just north of gate 5 on the east side. I always have a hard time giving cardinal direction since the stadium doesn't sit north-south so I hope those directions make sense. As others have said, you'll find much better food out in the tailgates easily enough.

[BFcatfan]

I paid my $120 for the season in the south Fieldhouse lot (lot #15, or as I like to call it, the Troy Andersen lot). Typically, I thought parking started 4 hours prior to the game, which would have been 2pm. But there were people in there at least at noon. They were moving the pylons that were blocking the entrances. I feel part of the problem was that MSU did not emphasize this, they didn't put out their normal Game Day press release (which includes information about tailgate/parking times), and had no one there to monitor it. Some kinks still needing to get ironed out...

Yeah parking services wasn't staffed up at all. I don't think they understand the shear numbers.

Yep exactly. A big part of the cluster that was the RV lots (at least on the west side, not sure if the east side RV had the same issues). As you said we were told they would open at 6 on Friday and that parking services would be there checking tags and placing people in a first come first serve manner. Instead, there were people there early afternoon grabbing spots, saving spots etc. People were getting pissed, I know of at least one tailgate that had two RV spots that by the time they came there wasn't two together so had to take two that were apart, which is exactly what I was promised WOULDN'T happen because parking services would be there placing people and when you showed up you would just get the next two available spots. I want to be clear, this is not on the Athletic Dept. Those folks tried to talk parking services out of this dumb idea. This is wholly 100% on parking services not understanding, being unwilling to listen and compromise and being understaffed to handle it as they had said they would.

I could tell you a horror story about parking services in my world. But in my world and I’m assuming everyone else’s world it’s tied to the Bobcat ticket office because that’s where you purchase your parking permits. So I believe MSU Athletics aka “ticket office” is as much to blame as
Parking Services. Quote me if I’m wrong

[kcatz]

I paid my $120 for the season in the south Fieldhouse lot (lot #15, or as I like to call it, the Troy Andersen lot). Typically, I thought parking started 4 hours prior to the game, which would have been 2pm. But there were people in there at least at noon. They were moving the pylons that were blocking the entrances. I feel part of the problem was that MSU did not emphasize this, they didn't put out their normal Game Day press release (which includes information about tailgate/parking times), and had no one there to monitor it. Some kinks still needing to get ironed out...

Yeah parking services wasn't staffed up at all. I don't think they understand the shear numbers.

Yep exactly. A big part of the cluster that was the RV lots (at least on the west side, not sure if the east side RV had the same issues). As you said we were told they would open at 6 on Friday and that parking services would be there checking tags and placing people in a first come first serve manner. Instead, there were people there early afternoon grabbing spots, saving spots etc. People were getting pissed, I know of at least one tailgate that had two RV spots that by the time they came there wasn't two together so had to take two that were apart, which is exactly what I was promised WOULDN'T happen because parking services would be there placing people and when you showed up you would just get the next two available spots. I want to be clear, this is not on the Athletic Dept. Those folks tried to talk parking services out of this dumb idea. This is wholly 100% on parking services not understanding, being unwilling to listen and compromise and being understaffed to handle it as they had said they would.

I could tell you a horror story about parking services in my world. But in my world and I’m assuming everyone else’s world it’s tied to the Bobcat ticket office because that’s where you purchase your parking permits. So I believe MSU Athletics aka “ticket office” is as much to blame as
Parking Services. Quote me if I’m wrong

MSU parking services took over management of the tailgate lots this year. Athletics is tied in because of the assignment of spots based on donations, etc.

If @kmax says that it was a parking services decision he is correct.

Many years ago when there were 2 sets of rules for east and west tailgates it was because the east side was managed by parking services and the West side by athletics. All tailgate spots were paid to athletics but parking services controlled the East side lots.

[kmax]

I paid my $120 for the season in the south Fieldhouse lot (lot #15, or as I like to call it, the Troy Andersen lot). Typically, I thought parking started 4 hours prior to the game, which would have been 2pm. But there were people in there at least at noon. They were moving the pylons that were blocking the entrances. I feel part of the problem was that MSU did not emphasize this, they didn't put out their normal Game Day press release (which includes information about tailgate/parking times), and had no one there to monitor it. Some kinks still needing to get ironed out...

Yeah parking services wasn't staffed up at all. I don't think they understand the shear numbers.

Yep exactly. A big part of the cluster that was the RV lots (at least on the west side, not sure if the east side RV had the same issues). As you said we were told they would open at 6 on Friday and that parking services would be there checking tags and placing people in a first come first serve manner. Instead, there were people there early afternoon grabbing spots, saving spots etc. People were getting pissed, I know of at least one tailgate that had two RV spots that by the time they came there wasn't two together so had to take two that were apart, which is exactly what I was promised WOULDN'T happen because parking services would be there placing people and when you showed up you would just get the next two available spots. I want to be clear, this is not on the Athletic Dept. Those folks tried to talk parking services out of this dumb idea. This is wholly 100% on parking services not understanding, being unwilling to listen and compromise and being understaffed to handle it as they had said they would.

I could tell you a horror story about parking services in my world. But in my world and I’m assuming everyone else’s world it’s tied to the Bobcat ticket office because that’s where you purchase your parking permits. So I believe MSU Athletics aka “ticket office” is as much to blame as
Parking Services. Quote me if I’m wrong

MSU parking services took over management of the tailgate lots this year. Athletics is tied in because of the assignment of spots based on donations, etc.

If @kmax says that it was a parking services decision he is correct.

Many years ago when there were 2 sets of rules for east and west tailgates it was because the east side was managed by parking services and the West side by athletics. All tailgate spots were paid to athletics but parking services controlled the East side lots.

Yep, exactly. I’ll also note that the ticket office is Facilities, not the Athletic Department either. All these different groups have their own bosses and own priorities. They try to work together but don’t always do what is best for another (Athletics) out of duty to their own.

[PHAT CAT]

I paid my $120 for the season in the south Fieldhouse lot (lot #15, or as I like to call it, the Troy Andersen lot). Typically, I thought parking started 4 hours prior to the game, which would have been 2pm. But there were people in there at least at noon. They were moving the pylons that were blocking the entrances. I feel part of the problem was that MSU did not emphasize this, they didn't put out their normal Game Day press release (which includes information about tailgate/parking times), and had no one there to monitor it. Some kinks still needing to get ironed out...

Yeah parking services wasn't staffed up at all. I don't think they understand the shear numbers.

Yep exactly. A big part of the cluster that was the RV lots (at least on the west side, not sure if the east side RV had the same issues). As you said we were told they would open at 6 on Friday and that parking services would be there checking tags and placing people in a first come first serve manner. Instead, there were people there early afternoon grabbing spots, saving spots etc. People were getting pissed, I know of at least one tailgate that had two RV spots that by the time they came there wasn't two together so had to take two that were apart, which is exactly what I was promised WOULDN'T happen because parking services would be there placing people and when you showed up you would just get the next two available spots. I want to be clear, this is not on the Athletic Dept. Those folks tried to talk parking services out of this dumb idea. This is wholly 100% on parking services not understanding, being unwilling to listen and compromise and being understaffed to handle it as they had said they would.

I could tell you a horror story about parking services in my world. But in my world and I’m assuming everyone else’s world it’s tied to the Bobcat ticket office because that’s where you purchase your parking permits. So I believe MSU Athletics aka “ticket office” is as much to blame as
Parking Services. Quote me if I’m wrong

MSU parking services took over management of the tailgate lots this year. Athletics is tied in because of the assignment of spots based on donations, etc.

If @kmax says that it was a parking services decision he is correct.

Many years ago when there were 2 sets of rules for east and west tailgates it was because the east side was managed by parking services and the West side by athletics. All tailgate spots were paid to athletics but parking services controlled the East side lots.

Yeah, I couldn't believe what dicks those eastside parking Nazis were, back in the day We tailgated and parked on the westside. Never had the problems the eastside people had. Putting parking services in charge, is a big F'n mistake. What a pack of dolt's.

[BFcatfan]

I paid my $120 for the season in the south Fieldhouse lot (lot #15, or as I like to call it, the Troy Andersen lot). Typically, I thought parking started 4 hours prior to the game, which would have been 2pm. But there were people in there at least at noon. They were moving the pylons that were blocking the entrances. I feel part of the problem was that MSU did not emphasize this, they didn't put out their normal Game Day press release (which includes information about tailgate/parking times), and had no one there to monitor it. Some kinks still needing to get ironed out...

Yeah parking services wasn't staffed up at all. I don't think they understand the shear numbers.

Yep exactly. A big part of the cluster that was the RV lots (at least on the west side, not sure if the east side RV had the same issues). As you said we were told they would open at 6 on Friday and that parking services would be there checking tags and placing people in a first come first serve manner. Instead, there were people there early afternoon grabbing spots, saving spots etc. People were getting pissed, I know of at least one tailgate that had two RV spots that by the time they came there wasn't two together so had to take two that were apart, which is exactly what I was promised WOULDN'T happen because parking services would be there placing people and when you showed up you would just get the next two available spots. I want to be clear, this is not on the Athletic Dept. Those folks tried to talk parking services out of this dumb idea. This is wholly 100% on parking services not understanding, being unwilling to listen and compromise and being understaffed to handle it as they had said they would.

I could tell you a horror story about parking services in my world. But in my world and I’m assuming everyone else’s world it’s tied to the Bobcat ticket office because that’s where you purchase your parking permits. So I believe MSU Athletics aka “ticket office” is as much to blame as
Parking Services. Quote me if I’m wrong

MSU parking services took over management of the tailgate lots this year. Athletics is tied in because of the assignment of spots based on donations, etc.

If @kmax says that it was a parking services decision he is correct.

Many years ago when there were 2 sets of rules for east and west tailgates it was because the east side was managed by parking services and the West side by athletics. All tailgate spots were paid to athletics but parking services controlled the East side lots.

Yep, exactly. I’ll also note that the ticket office is Facilities, not the Athletic Department either. All these different groups have their own bosses and own priorities. They try to work together but don’t always do what is best for another (Athletics) out of duty to their own.

I guess a better to make my point is the left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing. To many chiefs. I received hang tags for parking for each home game around the end of July or first of August. Somehow we misplaced them, hid them so safely that we can’t find them. When I had to call the ticket office for supposedly not donating enough funds to receive my club access “which I already had received the tickets for”, I told them I need to be reissued new ticket hang tags. I was told by the ticket office that there is NO WAY you could have received those, at that time. We just mailed them a few days ago. I argued with them and they told me that they had to be fraudulent. I said who is going to spend the time and money to make the hang tags I received and the postage to mail them? They refused to listen. I said when I find them someone in the ticket office is going to looking really stupid. Now fast forward to the Maine game, I pulled into the the parking lot between Kagy and the field house (I believe parking lot 101) and showed the young man my mobile ticket for that lot and he was clueless as to what he was looking at. If you read the emails on the parking lot bs it says “You will be towed if you don’t have a hang tag”. If I get towed, ****** will hit the fan. So in my world, this year has been a absolute sh** show with the ticket/parking office. Did MSU get some UM transfers in those offices?

[WalkOn79]

Parking Services came to their senses!!

Bobcat Fans,

We have heard you. In consultation with University Parking Services, University Police, and University Auxiliary Services, the decision has been made to reserve all RV spaces in the east and west lots for the remainder of the football season.

We will be reaching out to each of you (based off of your priority point ranking) via a phone call in the next couple days to finalize a spot for you in your designated lot that you have already been assigned.

Thank you for your patience, we appreciate your support.
Bobcat Athletics.

[Cats15]

Parking Services came to their senses!!

Bobcat Fans,

We have heard you. In consultation with University Parking Services, University Police, and University Auxiliary Services, the decision has been made to reserve all RV spaces in the east and west lots for the remainder of the football season.

We will be reaching out to each of you (based off of your priority point ranking) via a phone call in the next couple days to finalize a spot for you in your designated lot that you have already been assigned.

Thank you for your patience, we appreciate your support.
Bobcat Athletics.

[kmax]

Didn't get that email but did get my call yesterday and locked down the new permanent home for the BobcatNation tailgate. Very happy that they decided to do this, just wish they wouldn't have allowed the mess that occurred at Gold Rush to happen in the first place.

[WalkOn79]

Didn't get that email but did get my call yesterday and locked down the new permanent home for the BobcatNation tailgate. Very happy that they decided to do this, just wish they wouldn't have allowed the mess that occurred at Gold Rush to happen in the first place.

Still haven't gotten a call. I thought my priority points were pretty high, like 300 range.

[DMMDCats]

Didn't get that email but did get my call yesterday and locked down the new permanent home for the BobcatNation tailgate. Very happy that they decided to do this, just wish they wouldn't have allowed the mess that occurred at Gold Rush to happen in the first place.

Still haven't gotten a call. I thought my priority points were pretty high, like 300 range.

I never got a call either. >300 here.

It was a bad plan, it was poorly implemented and we get to pay for the poor service. Pretty normal gubmint FUBAR.

If there is anyone from MSU paying attention, you could at least apologize.

[ilovethecats]

Well you RV guys got your way. Now if they'll open more than one effing entrance this weekend I'll get mine too.......