All,
I was at the game. I thought I would share some observations. Went with a buddy-- we have no affiliation with NCC or UMU.
CONS- The game was held in a big city, in a venue for pro sports. So we get the following-- cash is no good anywhere in the stadium. My buddy has to get our tickets electronically (no paper tickets). Didn't work when we go to gate. So had to go back to ticket counter and try again. Along with that pain, you have a hundred stadium minions telling you "can't stand there", and "don't do that".
- NCC fans and parents NOT allowed on the field at the end of game. Sheesh, come on.
- On the D3 podcast it stated there was an "open practice held for both teams", and there was media day. I would have been interested in attending both events, if we had known about them. Just to sit in the crowd and watch would have been nice. But no info shared on that. Not blaming D3 guys (who are great), but NCAA folks could have shared that info better.
- Ticket cost-- face value $20 for general admission. But added fees pushed it over $30. Thanks Seat Geek!
PROS- Great fans in both sides. It was awesome to see the NCC band make it as well!
- Glad to see the game has kept up with the times: T-shirts for NCC players available right at end of game stating they are champs was cool.
- D3 football did a great job with their podcasts and their live play by play of the game.
- I know my whining above is longer than my "pros", but I had a great time and would likely go again (even if "my team" isn't there)
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Love to see this and I'm glad you were able to go as a nonpartisan. Go to NCAA Championships! They're great and fun! Attendance at the Stagg Bowl is obviously not exactly where we would like to see it, so testimonials like this helps.
Wild ticket fees do not help. Hopefully we can avoid that in the future- this might be a function of the stadium? That's an unnecessary hindrance for sure. Should also have walk up options for an event like this that definitely won't sell out the stadium. Also, this explains why I wasn't able to find a souvenir ticket! I usually like to grab one for myself before I leave the stadium.
I'm not sure if the open practice is open to the public or just open to the media. My sense is the latter as I've never seen a crowd at one of these and teams would be keen to make sure they aren't open to opponents. It's an opportunity for media to get some photos and shoot some b-roll of players running around in helmets. The teams are smart enough to not show anything too exotic at these open practices.
On the field at the end of the game is basically never a thing at the national championship, regardless of the city.