Parking Lots/Tailgates

[snarf]

Also, how early can you get into the tailgates before games? I thought it was 3 hours. We pulled into the East side lot almost exactly 3 hours before game time and it was half full and people had crap set up everywhere.

Tailgating lots open 4 hours prior to kickoff.

https://msubobcats.com/sports/2021/8/1 ... g-map.aspx

[kmax]

While I agree with some of these things: the black top was hot, the west side was a bit “disconnected” between areas and the RV first come first served thing was a clusterf@ck of a joke that parking services did not handle as they said they would.

But given that, I will go against the grain and say all in all it was great and we loved it. Our tailgate had to move to a new location for the first time in over 15 years and we totally changed up how we set up. Was kind of nervous about it to say the least. But it turned out absolutely amazing. Best tailgate I’ve hosted ever. Most people we’ve had and most people just stopping by and coming to say hi or join us. The west side RV tailgate area was a mass of people and it seemed like everyone was having a blast.

[catsrback76]

While I agree with some of these things: the black top was hot, the west side was a bit “disconnected” between areas and the RV first come first served thing was a clusterf@ck of a joke that parking services did not handle as they said they would.

But given that, I will go against the grain and say all in all it was great and we loved it. Our tailgate had to move to a new location for the first time in over 15 years and we totally changed up how we set up. Was kind of nervous about it to say the least. But it turned out absolutely amazing. Best tailgate I’ve hosted ever. Most people we’ve had and most people just stopping by and coming to say hi or join us. The west side RV tailgate area was a mass of people and it seemed like everyone was having a blast.

You might need to get an indoor outdoor faux grass carpet to throw down on the asphalt to cool things down and get the “atmosphere” just like the good ol days!

[kmax]

While I agree with some of these things: the black top was hot, the west side was a bit “disconnected” between areas and the RV first come first served thing was a clusterf@ck of a joke that parking services did not handle as they said they would.

But given that, I will go against the grain and say all in all it was great and we loved it. Our tailgate had to move to a new location for the first time in over 15 years and we totally changed up how we set up. Was kind of nervous about it to say the least. But it turned out absolutely amazing. Best tailgate I’ve hosted ever. Most people we’ve had and most people just stopping by and coming to say hi or join us. The west side RV tailgate area was a mass of people and it seemed like everyone was having a blast.

You might need to get an indoor outdoor faux grass carpet to throw down on the asphalt to cool things down and get the “atmosphere” just like the good ol days!

Ha! Actually I forgot to add that while the blacktop was damn hot I did not in anyway miss all the dust and dirt from the old lots. And I will definitely not miss the mud later in the year.

[RickRund]

While I agree with some of these things: the black top was hot, the west side was a bit “disconnected” between areas and the RV first come first served thing was a clusterf@ck of a joke that parking services did not handle as they said they would.

But given that, I will go against the grain and say all in all it was great and we loved it. Our tailgate had to move to a new location for the first time in over 15 years and we totally changed up how we set up. Was kind of nervous about it to say the least. But it turned out absolutely amazing. Best tailgate I’ve hosted ever. Most people we’ve had and most people just stopping by and coming to say hi or join us. The west side RV tailgate area was a mass of people and it seemed like everyone was having a blast.

You might need to get an indoor outdoor faux grass carpet to throw down on the asphalt to cool things down and get the “atmosphere” just like the good ol days!

Ha! Actually I forgot to add that while the blacktop was damn hot I did not in anyway miss all the dust and dirt from the old lots. And I will definitely not miss the mud later in the year.

The blacktop should definitely help with cleanup.

[ilovethecats]

While I agree with some of these things: the black top was hot, the west side was a bit “disconnected” between areas and the RV first come first served thing was a clusterf@ck of a joke that parking services did not handle as they said they would.

But given that, I will go against the grain and say all in all it was great and we loved it. Our tailgate had to move to a new location for the first time in over 15 years and we totally changed up how we set up. Was kind of nervous about it to say the least. But it turned out absolutely amazing. Best tailgate I’ve hosted ever. Most people we’ve had and most people just stopping by and coming to say hi or join us. The west side RV tailgate area was a mass of people and it seemed like everyone was having a blast.

Good points. I rarely complain about anything Bobcat related. The improvements around the stadium were incredible. As any changes go, some will take some getting used to. Literally my only gripe was the one entrance on the west side. I come in from behind the stadium on 11th. There are three entrances on that side and where my new spots are the 3rd entrance closest to Kagy is the closest. Drove by the first one that was open assuming the others would be as well. When they were closed, I had to take a left on Kagy, do a u-turn at that church, and come back to use the one single entrance open. And of course it was all backed up because I wasn't the only one who missed my one shot at entering! Just mind boggling to me that we would add so many new parking spaces, and go from three entrances to one entrance. But now I know so shouldn't be an issue going forward!

[RockyBearCat]

Space is definitely a lot tighter on the east side, especially the driving lanes. As we were trying to leave the lot, we watched a guy in a truck do about an 11 point turn just to get out of his tailgate spot and make the 90 degree turn.

The pavement will be nice in the bad weather, although you can't secure your canopy with spikes anymore. Sandbags might work OK if you can keep them in place.

I like that they added an extra exit out of that lot. It was blocked for entry but was open when we left after the game. Hopefully that helps the bottle neck single exit that we used to have.

I put 1 bag each of quikrete in 5 gallon buckets. If I had it to do over I would have mounted some huge eye bolts on the side before filling. We wrap them to the legs of the canopy with bungee cords. We are in the lot just north of Kagy and that works well for the canopy.

[tetoncat]

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

[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.

[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??

[tdub]

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.

[91catAlum]

Some good ideas to hold canopies in place, thanks guys.

[Camo_Cat]

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!

[WalkOn79]

Also, how early can you get into the tailgates before games? I thought it was 3 hours. We pulled into the East side lot almost exactly 3 hours before game time and it was half full and people had crap set up everywhere.

Tailgating lots open 4 hours prior to kickoff.

https://msubobcats.com/sports/2021/8/1 ... g-map.aspx

Except for the RV lots. That opens 6:00 on Friday night.

[Camo_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...

[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.

[ilovethecats]

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.

Hoping that was is issue for the lack of entrances I've been bitching about.

[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.

[Camo_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.

Good information, @kmax

[Cats15]

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.