October 8 is Too Late!
By Lake The Posts on
Yes, I’m already schedule surfing for 2011 and the date of October 8 should set off a fun debate.
LTP will NOT be attending the TicketCity Bowl this season. This officially eliminates me from criticizing any turnout numbers as it would be highly hypocritical. I will be on a family vacation in Colorado and am spending New Year’s Eve with the little kiddies. After boasting about my road trip success record over the years I failed to get to the annual road trip game this past season. But as I was researching which game(s) to go to in 2011 I realized one startling trend. Northwestern doesn’t play an FBS team at home until October 8!
That’s right. We open at BC and return home for a date with FCS Eastern Illinois on September 10 before a way too long stint not at Ryan Field. After Eastern, we travel to Army, then have a bye week and then open the Big Ten season at Illinois. Our Big Ten home opener? October 8 vs Michigan in what will be one of the more anticipated games as the two first team All Big Ten QBs go mano y mano. It is indeed a scheduling quirk that is unlikely to happen again in our lifetime. But the scheduling is locked in and it is time to start planning the road show.
One of the surprising trends of 2010 was Northwestern’s non-conference travel success. Both the Vanderbilt and Rice games were eye-poppingly purple and even Fitz has commented on how fantastic it was for both road games and the fact the team definitely was bolstered by the purple presence. There are no official records kept for Northwestern road attendance, but the strongest road crowd I’ve ever seen was at Purdue in 1995 when we clinched at least what we thought was a share of the Big Ten title. Now, it’s time for Northwestern travel 2.0.
I’d love to make a concerted push for one specific road game that we can turn in to a Northwestern home game-like experience. You know, really rally this community to make a push to pack as much purple and call attention to it for bowl officials. I’m leaning towards the game at West Point. The BC game is enticing, however it is Labor Day weekend which is both good and bad. I realize for many it can be tough to maneuver with the family obligations and the like. However, I really believe Army could be something special. The venue is pretty darn spectacular - a stone’s throw from the Hudson River – and just seeing the cadets in uniform would really be a neat experience. The game should be a great match-up as the Black Knights are 6-6 this season and seemingly have the program righted. It’s a must-win for NU and only about 90 minutes from one of, if not THE, most dense NU alumni population centers in the country. So, here’s my skin in the game.
The following idea was not mine. It actually belongs to a NY-based ‘Cat fan named Rob. But it’s good. Very good. You ready? How about a floating tailgate? LTP is willing to host (read: need sponsor!) a floating tailgate, where we would all meet at a TBD location, get on board the SS Purple Express and arrive to the banks of Michie Stadium in plenty of time for gameday. Can you imagine the scene as hundreds of purple-clad fans hoot and holler there way up the Hudson as if to say “here we come Army!” It would be a blast. As you can see, the 40,000-seat Michie Stadium is set in from the Hudson just a tad, and not knowing the area and boating regulations there are all kinds of logistics to iron out. I’ve already been in contact with the head of the NYC young alum club and I’m putting it out there for any folks familiar with large boat rentals on the Hudson to lend a helping hand. I’ll play the role of Julie McCoy (sans match-making) and coordinate this and even seek sponsorship to reduce the costs.
Take one look at that venue and tell me you don’t want to be there on a gorgeous fall day? Army averages only 31,667 meaning in a 40,000 seat stadium we should be able to gobble up every available seat in the place. I doubt we’ll get another chance to attend a venue like this and Sports Illustrated ranked it as the 3rd best college stadium of the 20th century. When you throw in the fact by that time we’ll have clarity on stadium renovation plans it will serve as a great backdrop for us all to fantasize about the future of Ryan Field. Heck, I’ll even persuade some of the architectual experts to come on board and mingle with us. Perhaps even a history prof to give us the 101 on the history of West Point. Who’s in?
I believe NY Waterway already has a party boat you can take to West Point for games. Most likely it picks up at Port Imperial (NJ), makes stops at World Financial and a couple stops up the East Side, like the Yankee Clipper. I’ll bet you can make it into a party boat (they serve alcohol, etc). I think it basically moors at West Point and you simply walk up the hill to the game. Worth looking into.
Of course, I meant to say “make it into an NU party boat”. Sorry for the itchy trigger finger.
I’ve actually been looking at this for a few weeks. Chicago to NY flights (whether to JFK, La Guardia, or Newark) run as frequently as the L and are fairly cheap. My concern had been tickets (esp. b/c of a my lack of priority points), but tickets are readily available, I’m all but there.
West Point is a beautiful campus with lots of history and this is a great chance to actually get on Campus (some access was limited post 9/11. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there, but I can’t imagine the security being any looser and allowing people to drive around like when I was a kid, but wikipedia makes it look like you can walk around most of the cadet areas). I’m not sure if the party-boat idea will work b/c of security stuff, but it would be a blast if it does. I’ve also heard that service academy games are supposed to be a great experience.
Great timing, LTP. Over the last week I’ve started to look at that game against Army and have been drooling about going to West Point. I hadn’t really given it much thought until a few days prior to the Army/Navy game, particularly since I’ve never flown to a road game before and am already planning on going to Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana next year. I’ve looked at a lot of travel details and right now I’m 95% sure I’m going. The 30 minutes I’ve spent looking at photos on Flickr have been well worth it. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Northwestern play at Michie Stadium and it’s simply too tempting to pass up.
A couple of notes. According to the Army 2011 and 2012 schedule release, all home games in 2011 will be either noon ET or 3:30 ET with determinations made no later than May 1 of each year. Also, all Army home games from 2010 through 2014 will be broadcast on CBS College Sports, so there’s no need to worry about TV coverage (though its availability is limited).
So in the spring we’ll know if it’s a noon or 3:30 ET game. That would really impact my travel plans. A 6 AM flight out of O’Hare to LGA with a rental car would likely get me to the game on time, but I want to spend at least 3 hours there prior to the game, if not more. Right now the latest flight out of NY is 7:30, which would be a tight squeeze if it’s a noon ET game. But there could be a later flight added at some point. So either I’d get in Friday evening and spend all morning at West Point for a noon kickoff or fly out early Saturday morning for 3:30 kickoff and then stay there overnight Saturday night. Flights right now are only $200-$225, at least.
Honestly, I’ve been focusing more on the Army game over the last week than the bowl game since my travel is already booked for Dallas.
I bookmarked this great Army tailgating/travel from NYC guide at home last night. I suggest anyone considering going do the same:
http://texanmarktailgate.blogspot.com/2010/05/army-tailgate-and-visitors-guide-10.html
I think that is a great idea it would feel like the Alamo bowl when the teams came into the town on a river boat
I’ve got a grad school buddy who went to West Point. For the last four years we have picked a West Point game, hired a boat and tailgated up the Hudson from the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We’ve clearly had this game circled for a while.
I highly recommend the floating tailgate. First, it’s a floating tailgate – which is just fun to say. Second, the scenery is just awesome. The trip takes you out of the Manhattan skyline, under the GW bridge and up the Hudson River Valley. And, approaching West Point from the river is really impressive – and gives you a real sense of why they built the original fort there.
The game day atmosphere is unique (clearly). The show the Cadets put on prior the game is worth going to without a football game. The last couple years it has included parachuters jumping out of circling helicopters – gives you a real sense of how well trained these guys are.
Then of course there is the game. Michie Stadium has that Wrigley/Fenway history/coziness.
LTP – this one is one of a kind, can’t imagine you’ll get another crack at doing anything like this.
It sure be fun to have a whole flotilla with us next year – happy to help with any pointers (although, it’s pretty much – get a boat and head north until you see the big, imposing fort).
Oh, and I’d absolutely be down for a floating tailgate under certain conditions. It’s a great idea, but the timing would have to work out. Also, I’d want to make sure we get down there plenty early, leaving enough time to walk around the campus.
Thankfully there’s plenty of time for the logistics.
Regarding the travel success at Rice & Vandy, I wouldn’t over-analyze it one way or another. In short, the beauty of NU is that we have a not insignificant alumni presence in almost every major city. I live in Chicago, but if I lived in say, San Francisco, you know I would be darn sure to attend any and all games NU played at Stanford or Cal.
I think the same thing was in play for Rice (Houston) & Vandy (Nashville). In fact, for this reason, I would expect our purple presence to be greater there than, say, a place like Eastern Michigan, <5 hrs from Evanston.
This sounds like a great idea, but that game is over 9 months away. I’d like to see more discussion on the game at hand, a chance for getting that elusive bowl win (after 62 years), and encouraging the fan base to get to the game to support the team. If you can’t make it for legitimate reasons, buy a ticket or two through the Cats ticket office. It’s only $75 but could make a difference someday between getting to a BCS game or getting passed over.
@NCat99,
Although I wasn’t at either the Vandy or Rice game this year, I’d tend to agree, though I think more people traveled to Nashville while most at the Rice game were already living in the area.
However, an “activation” of the fan/alumni base on the east coast is important to help drive attendance to both the BC and Army games. I hope the athletic department can get involved with the alumni associations early to keep those games on their mind before they set plans for Labor Day weekend.
And I hope LTP and others continue to do the same. I know Fitz said that he was going to do a video conference chat with the Texas alumni associations to get them to encourage people they know to go to the bowl game. I’d like them to do something similar for the two road non-con games in 2011.
@all – great stuff everyone. I can feel the mojo building…
@ LTP,
Congrats on the publicity you got in the Journal this morning! hopefully we can make the big dance this year!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019650146284700.html
First id like to mention that The NU Alumni club of Boston is totally going to make a presence at the BC game – I am already starting discussions on buying some bulk tickets for it. So it would be cool to still consider the BC game for THE game for NU alumni to go to. I think the long weekend makes it more ideal to go to because you could continue your vacation after the game!
Either way, being from Boston its been some time now since i’ve seen an NU game, so i’m considering going to both the BC and the Army game.
What do ya say LTP?
I’m in grad school at University of Washington where a lot of people arrive to Husky Stadium and party prior/during/after the game on their boats. We call this “sailgating!”
We have already circled the date on our calendar to go to West Point, and will be doing the road trip up to BC as well! By the way, no mention of the WSJ article this morning about the Hoops team?
BC and West Point … Why not do both?!?!
Scott I like the way you think… NU football is poised for a big 2011, so why not up the anty and get huge attendance at BOTH games! I think it would be great to go to BC – as we will be dying from all the anticipation to see the cats start the year off, AND see ARMY with its lovely stadium and all?
This is going to have to be LTP’s call… but LTP trust that we will spread the word within the NU community about whatever call you make… But us guys on the East coast would love to be able to represent NU in-game, as much as possible!
I’ve already been discussing this with some buddies, and the floating tailgate (or SAILgate, as cat07 put it) sounds just absolutely awesome. To all the NYC folks out there, how about this idea: have the thing sponsored by Blondie’s! Or at least have Becky the Bartender accompany us on the trip and serve drinks (purple shots) on the way up. We could even start the festivities at Blondie’s and head over to the boat en masse…just an idea.
I’d think we could easily get 200-300 people from the city to commit to the game/floating tailgate, seeing as we get that many for most games at Blondie’s. And it would be a great way for NU to fundraise (especially after a few purple shots).
Guess I’ll have to get over to Blondie’s … maybe for the Ticket City Bowl … I have not yet had the pleasure. BTW, I’m all in for the CATS – ARMY kNUcklehead cruise … there, only 299 (well maybe 298 – and if I bring my NU alum wife and hopelessly propagandized NU class of ’23 and ’27 children – 295) to go!
100% into both games … aleady heard from several in NYC that want to come … been to several West Point games … boats regularly flotilla to and raft up in the river starting the previous day … recent security may impact this … but … unlikely.
May help in lining up sopport if LTP or some one … alumni clubs … get a sign up sheet for attendance that demonstrates a large body of kNUckleheads intends to show up. by land and sea.
I will definitely be there for BC on 9/3/11. For those of you visitors the Wildcat Report Rivals board, I’m sure the crew there will be working on a party for the Fri night before. One non-party option, the Red Sox are playing the Rangers Fri night and so maybe a group outing to Fenway could be a possibility.
As for Army, they make it very easy to buy group tix. Unfortunately, they have taken the group page down for now. When I checked it during this season, they have a way to set up a whole online group. One person can collect money or people join a group, get a user account and submit money themselves (sort of like when you sign up for a football pickem pool). Either way, it looked very simple and completely automated. Less than 4hrs from Boston and so I’m sure we can get a big crew to go.
Anybody in Boston that can’t make it to Dallas, we will be watching the TCB at GameOn! (details on Bar Network page). Go Cats!
I’ll most likely be at the BC game, as well. Army sounds like a blast, but my ability to go will hinge on my work travel schedule for that month, which I won’t know for awhile. I’m beginning to fret a little about our bowl attendance this year, but I guess that’s a discussion for another time.
I’m only upset that this happens AFTER I graduate! Damn; as a New Yorker/Northwestern senior, this would’ve been a PERFECT schedule had I just not be graduating next June! But I’ll be there.
Side note, though, there’s a bowl blog on NBN by one of the players. Hmm.
http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2010/12/99863/dallas-here-we-come/
We’ll come up from Maryland for the Army game, and so keep us informed about
group tix or alumni events.
I’m already making plans for the BC game, since it’s only a 4 hour drive from here. West Point is close to a whole day; not sure I can make two such trips in the span of 13 days.
Is the BC game really on a Sunday, though? I thought it was Saturday the 3d.
I would love to give you crap for not going to the bowl game… however, I live in a glass house… a glass house with a TV where I will be watching the bowl game. ;)
Having spent a glorious football Saturday watching the Black Knights of the Hudson as a teenager (can’t even recall who the opponent was), I am definitely down for this road trip. The thing I recall most was the band playing before the game and the cadets in formation doing their thing. Awesome, and as good a game day atmosphere as there can be. And that was a time when we did not have soldiers at risk throughout the world — at least not to the extent that they are today.
@all – thanks for the great feedback, ideas and of course – name – “sailgate!”. I’m all for BOTH games – BC & Army. I’ve actually attended the last NU game at Chestnut Hill a 49-0 drubbing that was so painful it is one of the reasons I’m fearful to return. The childhood trauma.
I’m focusing my efforts though on Army AFTER the bowl game. I will be discussing the idea with NU and many of you who have emailed me. We HAVE to get Becky from Blondie’s to be the bartender. Done! Stay tuned – much more to come in January.
For all of the Chicago area alums looking at flights, I live in Cincinnati and fly regularly to NYC (every two weeks) and the cheapest flights are out of Indianapolis at $159-179. Depending on where you live in Chicago and how far you are willing to drive to cut down on your flight price it might be worth looking into.
sounds great…..back to planning for the game ON JAN 1 !!!!!!!!
@cece – AGREED.
Been planning on going! Getting a boat up the river would be great.
My distance from the rest of America (being in LA) makes it harder for me to make those trips out east. The 3-day weekend of Labor Day is super convenient and having family in Boston, I’ll be making the trip to the BC game, for sure.
That said, the Army game sounds awesome — West Point is so cool — so if I can somehow make TWO trips out east within a month, I will definitely try to hit up both. As should all of you!
I circled the Army game when the schedule came out; this would be a nice road trip for our family. We went to the Navy game a few years ago, and it was a great experience.
By the way, the Cats have won every time my wife has been at the game, including last year’s record-setting comeback against Indiana at homecoming.
Becky from Blondies! The ONLY think I miss about living in NYC :).