Kinnick Experience

[jerbob36]

Used to have season tix, but family/distance/laziness led me to give them up a few years ago. I typically get to 1 or 2 games a year now.

I went yesterday and maybe it's because it's been over a year, but the fans were great. Was this a typical crowd this season? 3rd downs were loud. I O W A was loud. The Kinnick environment, including sound, music, etc., seemed better than my trips in 2022 and 2023. Is this just the good vibes of a 40-16 or was this a better-than-average day?

End zone seats for this one so you can really see the WRs and routes well. Cade missed a big throw to the endzone in the first half (Reece, maybe) that was there, but his ball to Howard was a fantastic pass, and has me excited for the continued growth of this offense. Would still love to see a couple quick passes to a slot guy right after snap, but there is WAY MORE for a defense to think about than the past few seasons. No, the passing offense isn't lighting it up, but this offense is so much better overall.

 

[swihawk]

Well, we aren't dead last in offense anymore. There's that.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

I thought the crowd sounded really loud on tv!

This was the game I considered coming back for.

The new conferences are stupid but it is kind of cool to play a different opponent in Kinnick in October.

It felt like that was part of the crowd’s feistiness.

 

[cubsMDdmb]

Were you in the north end zone? North end zone seems a lot louder. There’s also a lot more room. It’s my go to spot for seats.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

You can thank Beth Goetz and the donors who backed her. Brian Ferentz is finally gone.

 

[denmar81]

North end zone was loud. 1st time sitting in Kinnick Edge and that section is fantastic. No lines for beer or bathrooms.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

I held a legitimate sound meter at the Iowa vs PSU game in 2021. In the sixth row at the 40-yard-line. North. It consistently read 122db during peak plays. That's so loud that if you scream at the top of your lungs, you can barely hear yourself. I find that good enough. And PSU's false starts that game further prove my point. And I'll say further that claims of 140 decibels of more at football games, are bullshit.

 

[hawkcub]

For a morning game I found it very loud.

 

[frytownhawkfan]

I held a legitimate sound meter at the Iowa vs PSU game in 2021. In the sixth row at the 40-yard-line. North. It consistently read 122db during peak plays. That's so loud that if you scream at the top of your lungs, you can barely hear yourself. I find that good enough. And PSU's false starts that game further prove my point. And I'll say further that claims of 140 decibels of more at football games, are bullshit.

I have legit recorded 130 dB recordings at Kinnick. Maybe ISU when they were backed into North end zone this year. Highest I got yesterday was 126 dB. I sit looking straight down goal line on press box side 18 rows up.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Crowd was good early in first half but after that field goal call and review the crowd really amped up. The second half was extremely loud.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

I have legit recorded 130 dB recordings at Kinnick. Maybe ISU when they were backed into North end zone this year. Highest I got yesterday was 126 dB. I sit looking straight down goal line on press box side 18 rows up.

What meter were you using?

 

[IaHawks03]

The sound system is terrible. Press box sideline lower levels of section 130 can't hear anything. Is there only 1 speaker in the south end zone?

 

[IaHawks03]

Also, most places do something at the end of the 3rd quarter/start 4th quarter.
Iowa played a video on the scoreboard and nobody in the stands really made any noise.

The fans are great. But whoever is in charge of GameDay experience needs to be removed.

 

[jonesy5960]

North end zone was loud. 1st time sitting in Kinnick Edge and that section is fantastic. No lines for beer or bathrooms.

Yeah. This is the only place to watch a game at Kinnick.

 

[joelbc1]

Well, we aren't dead last in offense anymore. There's that.

(We also only gave to play tOSU once this season…. There’s that. )
There are 4 or 6 defenses nationally that have the speed to stifle Iowa’s offense and tOSU is one of then…(Probably a good reason for UIowa not to qualify for the play-offs.)
Iowa’s 2024 offense is light years ahead of the offenses of the past couple of seasons.

 

[frytownhawkfan]

What meter were you using?

Have phone app tuned for sound system testing

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I have absolutely no idea if this is true, only based on what I hear at the stadium. Are the students loud? It seems like the north endzone is much, much louder. It's where more false starts seem to happen.

 

[frytownhawkfan]

The sound system is terrible. Press box sideline lower levels of section 130 can't hear anything. Is there only 1 speaker in the south end zone?

Talked with one of the men who helped design sound system a couple of years ago (he helped install the sound system in our church). The entire south scoreboard is a giant “speaker”, made up of hundreds(?) of smaller speakers. Due to the nature of Kinnick the “speaker” is aimed at the fans about midfield on the press box side. The difficulty at Kinnick is the echo that is created by the stands in the north end zone. Asked him about using multiple speakers all the way around the stadium and I can’t recall response, but it was something to the effect of that would be very difficult to accomplish.

 

[hawkcub]

I have absolutely no idea if this is true, only based on what I hear at the stadium. Are the students loud? It seems like the north endzone is much, much louder. It's where more false starts seem to happen.

I think the added suites were made in a way to keep sound in. Students and I say this as talking about all students not just Iowa. Students are either the loudest or the quietest. When things are exciting and the noise needs to come. They bring it. But they are the first to leave.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Also, most places do something at the end of the 3rd quarter/start 4th quarter.
Iowa played a video on the scoreboard and nobody in the stands really made any noise.

The fans are great. But whoever is in charge of GameDay experience needs to be removed.

Agree, agree, agree, 100% percent I AGREE!

The sound is so soft at all the wrong times. I can't hear a single interview ever. Ads are blasting loud. Back in Black seems quiet. The sound system is absolutely terrible.

To be honest, they have never found a song that pumps people up for the 4th quarter. The video is okay but it is the same as the intro video so... meh?

Most 3rd down songs aren't hard to pick because everyone is amped anyway but every once in awhile they pick bad ones.

It all needs to be way better.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Kinnick was great … had season tickets for 10+ years but now just pick a game or two… We were in North end zone - my favorite spot… only negative … audio is absolutely horrendous. Beyond terrible. From our seats … we could not make out anything said during interviews etc.

Was a great day to be in Kinnick.

 

[BonzoFury]

The sound system is terrible. Press box sideline lower levels of section 130 can't hear anything. Is there only 1 speaker in the south end zone?

The general production was weak. Second time this season they didn't get the entrance right with Back in Black. The sound system is beyond terrible. Definitely need an event manager of some sort. The flow, energy and quality leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Beattheohiostate]

Yeah. This is the only place to watch a game at Kinnick.

That would be difficult because I don't think it'll handle nearly 70,000 people.

 

[kceasthawk]

That would be difficult because I don't think it'll handle nearly 70,000 people.

You beat me to that one, so I'm glad I read the thread all the way through before posting..

 

[Packer54]

Still have season tickets. Really good crowd for an 11am start. Absolutely beautiful day as well.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I don't get it. Kinnick Stadium should have the best dam sound system money can buy. It's distressing to hear that it sucks.

But I do like hearing that the stadium was LOUD for an 11 am game! WTG Hawks fans!

 

[wneff]

To be honest, they have never found a song that pumps people up for the 4th quarter. The video is okay but it is the same as the intro video so... meh?

Eventually they'll listen to me (and a handful of others) and start doing the Hokey Pokey between the 3rd and 4th quarters.

 

[Beattheohiostate]

Eventually they'll listen to me (and a handful of others) and start doing the Hokey Pokey between the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Ya know, that would be awesome and a great way to honor the legacy of Hayden Fry. You, sir, are brilliant.

 

[Beattheohiostate]

The general production was weak. Second time this season they didn't get the entrance right with Back in Black. The sound system is beyond terrible. Definitely need an event manager of some sort. The flow, energy and quality leaves a lot to be desired.

All true. And here's what I would add:

* If they must play music the entire pregame, could they turn it down enough so we could hold a normal conversation in the stands? I wanted to point out how #7, for example, looked like he could be a pretty good receiver, but I couldn't make myself heard, even though my wife was two inches away and has the hearing of an owl. I don't care what genre of music it is, it SHOULD NOT BE SO DAMN LOUD you can't talk to the person next to you.

* And yet when they announce who made a tackle, or who blocked a FG, or who did what, YOU CAN'T HEAR IT! And why don't they post the same info on the video boards so people can at least READ who did what . . .

* The marching band should play, almost exclusively, once the game begins. A canned tune here and there for a great and good reason is fine, but let's feature the students in the band who put in a lot of time and effort and who have always helped make the spectacle of college football what it is.

* I agree the crowd was really good and loud, especially for an early game. I was impressed.

* Overall, Iowa has always lagged behind when it comes to entertaining, intelligent, effective game day experiences, whether in Kinnick or at Carver. Beth needs to go out and hire some new people with some new ideas who know how to engage the crowd without being cheesy or overwhelming.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Ask Iowa State for the company that did their sound system. It’s crazy good.

Iowa’s sounds like adults in Charlie Brown.

 

[IowaHawk1994]

Used to have season tix, but family/distance/laziness led me to give them up a few years ago. I typically get to 1 or 2 games a year now.

I went yesterday and maybe it's because it's been over a year, but the fans were great. Was this a typical crowd this season? 3rd downs were loud. I O W A was loud. The Kinnick environment, including sound, music, etc., seemed better than my trips in 2022 and 2023. Is this just the good vibes of a 40-16 or was this a better-than-average day?

End zone seats for this one so you can really see the WRs and routes well. Cade missed a big throw to the endzone in the first half (Reece, maybe) that was there, but his ball to Howard was a fantastic pass, and has me excited for the continued growth of this offense. Would still love to see a couple quick passes to a slot guy right after snap, but there is WAY MORE for a defense to think about than the past few seasons. No, the passing offense isn't lighting it up, but this offense is so much better overall.

Good thing glad a 40 year old woman didn't project vomit all over three rows in front of you or were not threatend by multiple 50 year old meat head tavern Hawks ... you know the usual at Kinnick. Place is a dangerous ghetto.

 

[pistachio1999]

Good thing glad a 40 year old woman didn't project vomit all over three rows in front of you or were not threatend by multiple 50 year old meat head tavern Hawks ... you know the usual at Kinnick. Place is a dangerous ghetto.

So you are an Iowa State fan. I see now.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Good thing glad a 40 year old woman didn't project vomit all over three rows in front of you or were not threatend by multiple 50 year old meat head tavern Hawks ... you know the usual at Kinnick. Place is a dangerous ghetto.

I've never experienced any of that and had season tickets for 21 years.

 

[BurgHawk87]

Good thing glad a 40 year old woman didn't project vomit all over three rows in front of you or were not threatend by multiple 50 year old meat head tavern Hawks ... you know the usual at Kinnick. Place is a dangerous ghetto.

You seem to be the common denominator in all the terrible things you always have to say. Maybe don't suck?

 

[pistachio1999]

You seem to be the common denominator in all the terrible things you always have to say. Maybe don't suck?

He is a Clone fan. He used the term "tavern Hok" and the fan base that uses that term are Clones.

 

[lilhwkgld]

Talked with one of the men who helped design sound system a couple of years ago (he helped install the sound system in our church). The entire south scoreboard is a giant “speaker”, made up of hundreds(?) of smaller speakers. Due to the nature of Kinnick the “speaker” is aimed at the fans about midfield on the press box side. The difficulty at Kinnick is the echo that is created by the stands in the north end zone. Asked him about using multiple speakers all the way around the stadium and I can’t recall response, but it was something to the effect of that would be very difficult to accomplish.

https://www.danleysoundlabs.com/portfolio/university-of-iowa/ Here is the link to the product that was installed after the 05-06 renovation. I was a part of the 05-06 install that used EAW product installed directly behind the tiger hawk logo. That system was 15ft tall and weighed over 18,000Lbs. The "echo" is not the problem. It has more to due with the overall height of the scoreboard relative to the listening area. When it was designed, the one operational statistic that had to be hit was to measure 100 db at the first seats in the North Endzone. We had the IC Pd called on us when we were setting the EQ in the system by the hospital. If you do the calculations the 50 yard line was close to 120 db flat from pink noise when we set it up. One of the coolest things from that project was climbing around the inside of the West bleachers, above the concession stands, and finding old newspapers and beer cans from the 70's.

Also, Iowa State was designed and installed by Daktronics out of South Dakota all paid for by donor dollars and not put out for public bid, the company I work for had installed the prior two systems to that one being put in place, as well as a lot of others around the country.

Also, if you look up around the stadium, you will see a lot of these: https://www.danleysoundlabs.com/products/os15cx/ That have been added in the mid 2010's.

Which were based off of the design of a lot of professional stadiums to focus sound down into the bowl.

 

[Iowa Hog]

All true. And here's what I would add:

* If they must play music the entire pregame, could they turn it down enough so we could hold a normal conversation in the stands? I wanted to point out how #7, for example, looked like he could be a pretty good receiver, but I couldn't make myself heard, even though my wife was two inches away and has the hearing of an owl. I don't care what genre of music it is, it SHOULD NOT BE SO DAMN LOUD you can't talk to the person next to you.

* And yet when they announce who made a tackle, or who blocked a FG, or who did what, YOU CAN'T HEAR IT! And why don't they post the same info on the video boards so people can at least READ who did what . . .

* The marching band should play, almost exclusively, once the game begins. A canned tune here and there for a great and good reason is fine, but let's feature the students in the band who put in a lot of time and effort and who have always helped make the spectacle of college football what it is.

* I agree the crowd was really good and loud, especially for an early game. I was impressed.

* Overall, Iowa has always lagged behind when it comes to entertaining, intelligent, effective game day experiences, whether in Kinnick or at Carver. Beth needs to go out and hire some new people with some new ideas who know how to engage the crowd without being cheesy or overwhelming.

The band should be featured more as they work hard and are much better than listening to canned music you can hear at any bar

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Well, we aren't dead last in offense anymore. There's that.

Currently #94 with 357 yds per game.
Pretty huge jump from last year.