Ole JR's Rose Bowl Experience

[JRHawk2003]

Met with a few Stanford guys before the game. They were fun to talk to. They were decent after the game too.

The security situation was pathetic. Talk about being unprepared.

The stadium is bad, and is in a weird place. It does not seem that big inside either. Reminds me of Ross Ade Stadium at Purdue when inside.

I'm in shock still at what I saw. I am embarrassed as a fan.it really could not have been worse.

I am not shocked they scored on us. I am shocked at how bad our offense was. Wow. That was a very avg defense statistically coming into that game. Our tackles were beaten badly in particular.

I am pretty discouraged as a fan. I saw Commings, I witnessed some bad losses, but this one take the cake. I feel like a fool for going.

 

[JRHawk2003]

Oh yeah....I don't care about their band trolling us. We deserve all we got for that effort.

 

[7227]

I was shocked too at what I saw. I could not believe what was happening. I would have bet my house that the game wouldn't play out the way it did.

 

[JRHawk2003]

I really find it hard to believe they are that much better and the prep contributed to this big time.

The offense in particular mystifies me.

I'm glad it's over for 8 months.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Uh, why did you go?

 

[broth87]

You're incredibly spoiled if you got to attend an Iowa Rose Bowl and walked away saying you wish you hadn't gone. The game was frustrating for every fan. But the experience of the Rose Bowl is about so much Notre than that and if you can't appreciate that or see that, you're incredibly spoiled.

 

[ferentz4life]

You're incredibly spoiled if you got to attend an Iowa Rose Bowl and walked away saying you wish you hadn't gone. The game was frustrating for every fan. But the experience of the Rose Bowl is about so much Notre than that and if you can't appreciate that or see that, you're incredibly spoiled.

This +1,000.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Can you elaborate on why you think the stadium was bad and in a weird place?

 

[Arizona_Hawks]

Can you elaborate on why you think the stadium was bad and in a weird place?

Its not necessarily bad just outdated. In my opinion the seats are removed from the field. I sat about 40 rows up and it felt miles away. The stadium sucks as to sitting near the aisle. Everyone and there dog kept walking back and forth and a constant stand up and sit down for people to get through. Newer stadiums have more aisles so its not as annoying. Also very cramped seating. Just an old stadium. I for one was disappointed in the loss but I took my kids who are 11 and 13 and just knowing they will remember this trip for the rest if there life is all that matters to me.

 

[ferentz4life]

Can you elaborate on why you think the stadium was bad and in a weird place?

I loved the Rose Bowl. Yes, there are parts that feel old...because it is old.

All of the staff there was also very nice and helpful. From the ticket takers to the concession stand folks.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

I thought the setting was awesome. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but driving over the hill and then looking down in the valley where the Rose Bowl sits was a pretty damn cool site to see.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

They are.

Just take my word for it.

On Friday they were

 

[Arizona_Hawks]

So in other words, exactly like Kinnick.

Yes.

 

[broth87]

The stadium was awesome! My favorite part of the game. Coolest setting BY FAR I've ever seen for a game with the San Gabriel mountains in the background. The stadium is old but 100 times better than say memorial stadium in Lincoln. Better bathrooms, stadium style seating on the sides, and a very cool environment. As I sat there with us getting our asses kicked and feeling frustrated with the game, I just kept looking at the mountains and breathing it in. It was gorgeous and an unbelievable memory not only myself, but my 18 and 13 year old kids will never forget.
Some people are never happy and would complain in the most comfortable setting on earth. People complaining about the rose bowl stadium fall squarely in that category.

 

[ferentz4life]

The stadium was awesome! My favorite part of the game. Coolest setting BY FAR I've ever seen for a game with the San Gabriel mountains in the background. The stadium is old but 100 times better than say memorial stadium in Lincoln. Better bathrooms, stadium style seating on the sides, and a very cool environment. As I sat there with us getting our asses kicked and feeling frustrated with the game, I just kept looking at the mountains and breathing it in. It was gorgeous and an unbelievable memory not only myself, but my 18 and 13 year old kids will never forget.
Some people are never happy and would complain in the most comfortable setting on earth. People complaining about the rose bowl stadium fall squarely in that category.

Another good post, Broth. Me and many others had a similar experience on Friday at the game.

 

[Dbqhawk78]

The stadium setting is unique and picturesque for sure. Stadium is clearly outdated though for seating space. We were in section 16 with stadium seats, and your knees touched the seats in front of you. Very tight left to right and front to back.

Impossible to get in or out aisle without everyone standing up. Also the tunnels to get to any concessions and restrooms were narrow and 30-40 yards deep.

The other thing that surprised me was how the stadium seats flattened out as the rows went up. Press box must be 100 yards from the field. We were row 18 so fairly close to field. For 94,000 in attendance the stadium never sounded loud even during pre-game ceremonies.

 

[waterboy4582]

The stadium was awesome! My favorite part of the game. Coolest setting BY FAR I've ever seen for a game with the San Gabriel mountains in the background. The stadium is old but 100 times better than say memorial stadium in Lincoln. Better bathrooms, stadium style seating on the sides, and a very cool environment. As I sat there with us getting our asses kicked and feeling frustrated with the game, I just kept looking at the mountains and breathing it in. It was gorgeous and an unbelievable memory not only myself, but my 18 and 13 year old kids will never forget.
Some people are never happy and would complain in the most comfortable setting on earth. People complaining about the rose bowl stadium fall squarely in that category.

Yes because your opinion is the only one that counts.

 

[JRHawk2003]

I went to the 2003 Orange Bowl...I have been to LA before. I went to see the Hawks win. I'm 49, and I have had nice scenic vacations. In fact, I spent the 2nd at the Joshua Tree before coming home. I wanted to see a Rose Bowl win in my lifetime...not staring at mountains while my alma mater gets its ass handed to it.

 

[theIowaHawk]

M
The stadium is bad, and is in a weird place. It does not seem that big inside either. Reminds me of Ross Ade Stadium at Purdue when inside.

Can you elaborate on this? Why/how is it in a weird place, and what made it bad to you?

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

. For 94,000 in attendance the stadium never sounded loud even during pre-game ceremonies.

Agree with that. It doesn't hold much noise at all

 

[JRHawk2003]

Not much to elaborate on. It's an old crappy stadium that was far less impressive than I expected. it's not loud. The atmosphere at the 2003 Orange was 10x as electric. I found the Horseshoe to be much more impressive. Even the good seats are off the field some. The sidelines are huge.

But maybe seeing ones team just not even show up colors my thinking some...

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

I went to the 2003 Orange Bowl...I have been to LA before. I went to see the Hawks win. I'm 49, and I have had nice scenic vacations. In fact, I spent the 2nd at the Joshua Tree before coming home. I wanted to see a Rose Bowl win in my lifetime...not staring at mountains while my alma mater gets its ass handed to it.

Only bowl I have attended as an adult was the 2010 Orange Bowl. I've never seen an Iowa bowl loss in person. Maybe you should just pay for me to go the next New Year's Six bowl for you? ;-)

 

[theIowaHawk]

Not much to elaborate on. It's an old crappy stadium that was far less impressive than I expected. it's not loud. The atmosphere at the 2003 Orange was 10x as electric. I found the Horseshoe to be much more impressive. Even the good seats are off the field some. The sidelines are huge.

But maybe seeing ones team just not even show up colors my thinking some...

Some people are really bad at describing things, so I guess you shouldn't feel bad, but why did you think it was an "old crappy stadium"? You've said it wasn't loud. Had it been built exactly the same, but last year, would you still call it crappy? I mean, is the paint peeling, the bleachers sagging, the bathrooms actual outhouses?

I was there, I don't get the "crappy", so I was curious. I was in 7 and thought they were great seats, right before they bow out towards the 50, but the corner-sidelines are pretty close and have a great view of the action. It certainly isn't as close as Kinnick, and I'm wondering if Kinnick is "old and crappy" to you as well, where the seats are just as tight.

But really I was wondering what the "weird place" comment was about. I thought it was in a great spot with easy access and beautiful surroundings, so this comment really surprised me. Any elaboration on the placement?

 

[JRHawk2003]

I didnt study the paint job. You can play kangaroo court lawyer on this all you want. It won't change my opinion.

It's a crappy old stadium with bad sight lines located on a golf course. Almost like Ryan Field. Similar in that it feels out of place to its surroundings. Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't find the experience special.

 

[Hans81]

I was at the 2005 Capital One Bowl with the last second victory over LSU. While the stadium was in a crappy part of Orlando and not that nice of a facility, it was "beautiful" that day due to Iowa's win. Therefore, I can see how a loss like Iowa suffered could tarnish the Rose Bowl memory. I'm certainly glad I chose not to go to the bowl game this year. However, if Iowa makes it to the B10 Championship again next season, I'm going to Indy as I have heard good things about that venue.

 

[theIowaHawk]

I didnt study the paint job. You can play kangaroo court lawyer on this all you want. It won't change my opinion.

It's a crappy old stadium with bad sight lines located on a golf course. Almost like Ryan Field. Similar in that it feels out of place to its surroundings. Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't find the experience special.

I'm not changing your opinion, I'm asking you for your opinion. You simply repeat "crappy and old". You added sight lines this time, but now you've compared it to two of the worst stadiums in the big ten.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

Met with a few Stanford guys before the game. They were fun to talk to. They were decent after the game too.

The security situation was pathetic. Talk about being unprepared.

The stadium is bad, and is in a weird place. It does not seem that big inside either. Reminds me of Ross Ade Stadium at Purdue when inside.

I'm in shock still at what I saw. I am embarrassed as a fan.it really could not have been worse.

I am not shocked they scored on us. I am shocked at how bad our offense was. Wow. That was a very avg defense statistically coming into that game. Our tackles were beaten badly in particular.

I am pretty discouraged as a fan. I saw Commings, I witnessed some bad losses, but this one take the cake. I feel like a fool for going.

I thought the stadium was great, a perfect bowl and not a bad seat in the house. The setting of the stadium in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains is beautiful. There is no venue as cool as the Rose Bowl.

 

[theIowaHawk]

For reference on sight lines, Ryan Field:

For reference on size when inside, Ross Ad:

Rose Bowl, for those that haven't been:

 

[broth87]

Spoiled. If you couldn't find any redeeming quality about any part of the Rose Bowl you're spoiled. JR the stadium was just fine, the scenery was amazing, the atmosphere before the game was awesome, the game is the only part that sucked.

 

[bigwhiffer123]

I still have a smile on my face thinking about being there. Pure magic, regardless of end result of the game.