Going To A Football Game Is Exhausting
Ah, Football...
American football. College football, if I want to be precise.
In my eyes, there's nothing greater than sitting down with some slices of pizza, maybe a few wings, a nice cold beverage, and watching the Oregon Ducks rack up some points (and hopefully stop the opponent in the process).
In all honesty, I prefer watching the game on television than watching it from the stands, though it's not too bad from the sidelines. I used to go to high school football games and take pictures for the story I would run for the following week's paper.
In the stands, though, is another proposition all together.
The pageantry of a college football. Pregame, just before the players take the field. If you look closely to the right of the goal post you can see the Oregon Duck mascot on a motorcycle preparing to lead the charge.
Now, I know that there are plenty of you who really like the atmosphere—the thrill and excitement—you can only get by sitting in the stadium with 50,000-plus fans rooting your team on as one.
That part is actually enjoyable, for the first hour or so. Then, it gets a little tiring, frankly. There's a lot of energy expended really quickly, and it's a virtual emotional rollercoaster that's usually further fueled by alcohol. It can be hilarious at times to watch others in their different phases of inebriation, and it can also be exasperating.
So, in my favorite chair in front of the television it is, maybe with my youngest son if he's interested, which he normally is, since he probably loves football more than I do.
Sometimes, You Just Have To Make Sacrifices
That said, my older son and his wife, who is in the final trimester with their first child, were in town for the Labor Day weekend. Of the six now adults in our growing family, he is by far the biggest Duck fan. He wears the gear, he posts online, he's the first to bring something up about the Ducks—the consummate fan.
But he'd never been to a Duck game.
His brother, my wife and I managed to go several years back when he was away serving a church mission. I suppose he could have gone since, but for whatever reasons, it never happened. I decided since the Duck season opener would be at home that Saturday he would be in town, that I would take him to the game.
That meant securing tickets, preferably with a place to sit. I've made the mistake of buying standing room only tickets before and that's the worst. I got on Ticketmaster and looked around for the best deals. It took a while to do because there was some uncertainty about who all would go, but in the end, it was just me and the oldest.
The view from our seats. The last time we were here, we were stuck in one of the endzones. Location definitely makes a difference.
It's Not All Fun And Games
So, the two tickets I bought were on the 50-yard line, 33 rows up where we could see the entire field. As far as location goes, it was among the best seats in the house. Because it was a preseason or a non-Pac 12 conference game, the seats were cheaper than what they would normally be.
Since it had been a while, and I was now in the phase of considering logistics, I checked online for what it would cost to park. The only official information I found said I had to be a donor to the program to secure the spots. I'm sure we didn't need to do that the other time we went, but this was before Oregon football made it to two National Championships. Even if you lose the games, you're still a big enough deal apparently that you can get away with closing off parking to the general public.
That meant we would need to find a lot off site. I couldn't find any information about that, so I decided we should go early just in case. The start time for the game was 5 pm, but I figured we needed to be in the area of Autzen Stadium by around 2 pm to avoid the traffic on the freeway to the game, and to get around the area once we were there. And, to find a parking space within reasonable walking distance.
We ended up leaving sometime after noon. I was taking him to Texas Roadhouse, too, and it was around 45 minutes to get there, which put us at the restaurant before 1 pm. I was expecting to wait a bit to get our food, but the service was fast and we ended up out the door about 25 minutes later.
This was the price of parking at the lot just across from Autzen Stadium. A far cry from the $5 I think we paid the last time we were here. Oh, what a difference some success makes.
It Gets Expensive Real Fast
Now earlier than what I was thinking was ideal, but not knowing what else to do, I drove us over to the area of the stadium to look for places to park. Within a mile or so, we started to see lots with signs advertising cost. The first several said $40! That was almost what a ticket to the game cost. As we got closer, the price went up to $50! There was no way I was going to pay that.
We kept driving, past the stadium and down a few blocks until we got to the first street that didn't connect to the playing field. It was a residential area, where cars were already parked up and down each side. We found a spot not too far from the corner, and after securing the car, made our journey back to the stadium on foot.
2 PM And Not A Second Sooner!
Fifteen minutes and a half a mile later, we stood at the gates. There were some people standing around, mostly stadium officials with their ticket readers in hand. As I moved towards them, one of them stated the gates officially opened at 2 pm. It was 1:57.
We waited. When it was time, the handheld device used to scan the barcode on my ticket couldn't read it. Too much sun. The young man operating it tried to shield my ticket by putting his hand in the way of the light and finally succeeded in making it work. From there, we went up steps to the next level and started walking around.
Duck sighting. Must be nice to have your own entourage. The Duck is one of the most recognizable mascots in college football.
We managed to show up to the base of the stadium just as the Oregon Duck mascot and cheerleaders were exiting from somewhere in the bowels of the giant structure. The Duck is one of the more famous mascots in college football, so that was an unexpected perk of being there so early. After they passed by, we headed up the outside incline to go look for our seats.
At the top, we were stopped by another stadium official who said we'd have to wait until 3 pm to get in, but if we wanted to, we could go inside the Oregon building. Wondering why they would let us onto the grounds but not into the stadium itself, we went to the Oregon building.
The Oregon Building, where we spent about an hour waiting around to be let into the stadium.
The Oregon Building
During the week, it serves as an indoor training facility, with removable turf. It comes in handy when the weather outside turns particularly inhospitable. That day, however, it had long rows of tables with chairs for fans to sit at and maybe have something to eat from the various food vendors. We'd already eaten, so we sat down and basically shouted at one another over the loud music that was blasting from the other end of the building.
It wasn't three yet when there was some commotion and people began lining up along a walk way cutting through the rows of tables. Neither one of us knew what was going on, until the cheerleaders and Duck showed up, followed by the players, coaches and other football personnel. We stood behind the line and tried to get some pictures of the people we recognized, which weren't many. There's been quite a bit of change with the program over the last two seasons.
Justin Herbert, Oregon's starting quarterback and Heisman hopeful with his game face on.
After that excitement, it was back to waiting. Finally at around 3:05, I figured we could go back up the hill.
Third Time's The Charm? Nope!
There were many more people this time. Some of them heading up, a few of them down. We weren't even half way when a man from one of the descending groups told us we might as well save the energy because now they weren't letting people in until 3:30 pm.
We took him up on it. I was already getting tired from the sitting around with nothing to do. At home, I'd probably be on Steemit, passing the time productively waiting for the game to start. Here, it was warm, heading towards the hottest part of the day, and we'd already done plenty of walking and waiting.
The next 20 minutes took forever to pass. I didn't bother to look at my phone's face. My son and I managed to pass it making fun of different things, and expecting to be told we'd have to stand around until 4 pm.
That didn't happen. Finally, we were allowed to go in and climb more stairs to get to the top of the bowl.
Autzen Stadium seats 54,000 (it frequently exceeds that amount) and first opened 51 years ago. It is named after Thomas J. Autzen, a pioneer in plywood manufacturing. Ironically, Autzen actually graduated from Oregon State University, the Ducks instate rival. His son Thomas E. attended, however.
Inside Autzen Stadium
The stadium is not the largest in college football. Instead, it its fairly low, which keeps the noise from the fans down on the field. It's bedeviling for opposing offenses because the decibels rise. If nothing else, Duck fans are loud and the acoustics boost the din even more.
We took our time walking around the outside of the stadium, taking in the view, before locating our seats. Since our section was smack in the middle of the place, we had to go to the other side of where we entered. There, we faced the afternoon sun as it continued its afternoon descent.
When we found our row, we saw padded seats anchored to the bench. It turned out those seats were for season ticket holders, but I got excited with the prospect of extra padding to sit on. Alas, there were seats on either side of ours, but none for us.
Just another hour and minutes before game time!
Panoramic view of Autzen. The stadium underwent extensive renovations in 1988 and 2002, which added seating and luxury boxes. In 2008, the giant scoreboard was installed. It's 33 x 85 feet and is affectionately known as Duckvision 2.0.
Soaking It All In
When we arrived, there wasn't anyone in our row yet, and most of our section around was still empty. My son wanted something to drink so he went and bought us lemonades. Various players showed up on the field, mostly the place kickers, quarterbacks and wide receivers, to warm up.
There was another Pac-12 game playing without sound on the giant replay screen while music blared from the other side of the stadium. Fans started to slowly filter in. The seats on my son's side were the first to fill in—a guy with a service dog and his family/friends. No one seemed physically incapacitated, so the service dog apparently was for some other purpose. It ended up blocking a potential lane of departure.
My side was slower to fill up, but a few minutes before game time, a large gentleman and his wife sat down next to me and greeted the other season ticket holders behind us. Shortly after that, we stood for the National Anthem, where a few of us sang the words (the guy behind me had a pretty good voice), and then the game began.
The seats behind us, going back to the top of the bowl. You can see the name of the place featured prominently here.
Finally, The Game!
For most of the first quarter, the Ducks couldn't seem to figure it out on either side of the ball. Meanwhile, Bowling Green, the team they were playing against, seemed ready and up to the challenge. They moved the ball pretty well, taking the lead in the first quarter and part of the second. The Ducks couldn't seem to get personnel on the field in a timely manner and some of the receivers couldn't hold onto the ball.
Fans actually booed and jeered. Someone said it was time to replace the quarterback, even though he was dead on with all of his passes and there wasn't a proven understudy to take his place. Some of it was funny to listen to. Some of it overkill.
Then, Oregon dropped 30 points to take a 37-17 halftime lead. After that, all was well in Duckville.
Oregon would go onto score three more touchdowns in the second half while allowing another to Bowling Green. Only we weren't there.
Bye Bye Big O. It was fun while it lasted. Until next time...
Wait. What? You Left?!
After discussing it, my son seemed more than okay with leaving at halftime. Given the fact we weren't going to get out on his side until the people with the service dog left, and my side cleared as folks went to restock on beer and head to the restroom, we took advantage of our window of opportunity and left.
Aside from being hemmed in on all sides, with bodies touching me from three while I tried to avoid them all, the surliness of some of the fans, my left leg never really getting comfortable, my back aching, my posterior uncomfortable and face being burned by the afternoon sun—just the right side, mind you—I think he and I had a very good time.
There are things that go on during a game that you don't see on television. We were able to see all of the plays. About six inches of room on either side of us and in between, with some stadium chairs we could have rented for $8 a piece, and maybe if the place had been half-full, we might have waited it out a little longer.
We had no problem getting out of the stadium, down to the gate, over to our car which was still safe and sound and parking ticket free, and then out of the area and back on the freeway heading home. We ended up listening to the rest of the game on the radio. The second half seemed to go faster than the first.
Hopefully, the Ducks won't need the famed Heisman Trophy winner to defeat Stanford tomorrow. We miss, you Marcus! We wish you well and continued improvement and success with the Tennessee Titans for yet another year.
Bring On Stanford!
The Ducks are currently 3-0, having played Bowling Green, Portland State and San Jose State (which gave Oregon more trouble than they should have). They start Pac-12 play tomorrow (Saturday, September 22, 5 PM Pacific) at home again against the Stanford Cardinal, one of the hardest teams to play in the conference, and one who has had Oregon's number the last few seasons. It will be one of two or three bellwether games this year, and one that is normally played in late October or early November.
I'm very much looking forward to watching it from the comforts of my living room, munching on whatever dinner I end up preparing. Or do I dare get pizza again?
All photographs courtesy of Glen Anthony Albrethsen and my oldest son.
@glenalbrethsen if that was something fun and with your son go to the football game a fine experience. very beautiful to be a fan of a team and see each game the photos are very beautiful I've never been to a stadium or fulbol less baseball. The experience you experienced was very fun but there was a lot of sun in the beautiful stadium photo of Justin Herbert, the starting quarterback of Oregon and Heisman hopeful with his game face. there is a big difference being on TV very comfortable it looks great but when you go to the stadium it is another world thanks for sharing @neymarth10 very beautiful photos.
Hey, @neymarth10. Thanks for the kind words.
It is a very good looking stadium. I thought the same thing when we were there and when I looked at the photos. It's just well conceived and constructed.
I've been at games where I really enjoyed them. There have been others, though, where I didn't so much, and it had less to do with what was happening on the field as it did with what was going on in the stands. So, anyway, not all experiences are the same.
As a rule, though, much prefer to watch the game at home, but it's good to get out every 10 years or so. :)
That's what my parents taught me, of course it's good to leave home to live that great experience but if I ever go to a stadium I would go to a final of football or soccer rest I see it on TV greetings from venezuela @neymarth10 . It is very beautiful to share with the family also in a stadium screaming, laughing, crying a bit of everything.
I enjoyed reading your post. I could actually feel the tension as you talked about timing and trying to find affordable parking. I'm glad that you were able to experience a stadium game with your son, but now it seems that he also may prefer watching from the comfort of his own couch. The best part about watching from home is that you aren't affected by any weather related issues. No matter what, you'll be comfortable and dry if you watch from home. You can afford a lot of premium snacks and beverages for the price of one snack and a beverage at the stadium. I know, some people say, "Yes, but it's just not the same as being there." I say, "Thank goodness!" I can go to the bathroom whenever I want to at home, and nobody is going to spill something on me from behind. Oh, and no traffic jams if you watch from home, either! Nothing like watching a game at home, but it's good to see one in the stadium, just so you appreciate what you are missing...ha!
Hey, @peg1035.
Yep. That's pretty much it. I've been to at least ten college football games that I enjoyed, and about three that I didn't, and it had little to do with the game itself. Fans just get out of hand sometimes. It is good to get out every once and while and see a game and take in the fresh air, but that has less to do with the game itself as it does with just being with a bunch of other people with similar likes. Until they turn ugly. :)
Much cheaper, safer, more comfortable to stay at home and actually know what's going on all the time.
Hi glenalbrethsen,
Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Thank you, curie, et al. As always, this is greatly appreciated, and in this case, a much needed pick me up. You just made my week. :)
My feelings are similar in baseball. Here in Venezuela we're extremely passionate in baseball, especially the classic capital Caracas vs Magallanes (let's say it is an equivalent to the Yankees vs. Red Sox). Regrettably, unbridled passion runs rampant in abuse very often and people simply go crazy. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching sports live, but when you end up soaked in beer,
pisswater and sweat, you end up thinking well if it's really worth it going again hahaahGood post, I think you've captured very well all the environment surrounding the decision to go to a game, and that isn't always shared as "part of the fun"
We've had soda drip on us before at a basketball game. Someone in the stands above us dropped their drink on the ground and it made it's way along the floor and went over the side.
Other than that, very fortunate not to have anything else spilled on us. One thing I failed to mention (of many, believe it or not), was the lady that came in squeezing in between people with four beers clutched in her hands. First off, I don't know how she managed to do that, and second of all, I don't know how she did it without dropping them. Fortunately, she wasn't in are row, but she was close enough to make me nervous. :)
Well, I'm sure the alcohol consumption makes things far worse than they would be without it. People can get riled up as it is (I know), but the beer makes them do more than they would otherwise.
It's too bad that going to any sporting event, or even watching any sporting event, is so heavily associated with the drinking. To each their own. Since I prefer watching games at home, it's not really affecting me there. It's up to everyone else to be safe and try to avoid being punched or worse. :)
Infinite respect for those people who carry 23593989493498 things without dropping them, like that lady you saw. They're magicians!
I don't know, I think that if they didn't sell alcohol in stadiums people would get bored. For me, they've made alcohol inherent in the "sports tradition" in the stands; It's fine for me, as long as I don't end up drenched in it. Meanwhile, I'll continue watching sports at home.
You write like a journalist and it's refreshing.
The only way I can enjoy sports events is live, though I completely understand what you're saying about it being tiring. That comes to me mostly as my introversion, and being around that many people wipes me out.
Cheers!
~ Mako
Hey, @makowrites.
Well, that's my problem too. I just can't physically be around that many people for very long. Whether they're that close or not.
Part of the tiring comes from flat out not being in shape, but I didn't realize i would need to be in good shape just to go to a football game. :)
Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad the journalist part is evident. I owned and published two small weekly newspapers for the better part of 12 years, and owned just one of them for three years before that. So, 15 years of writing, editing and publishing total. I'm more or less self-taught outside of English from a high school education, so I'm yet to figure out what AP style is. Maybe one of these days I'll take a deep dive into it. :)
Go Ducks! My wife and I went to quite a few games when we were students at the UO. The student section is ridiculous. Just absolutely as drunk as you can possibly get... before even showing up LOL. I know a few families with season tickets who sometimes ask me if I want to go to a game if someone isn't going to be around on gameday, so I have been to a few games recently but not any so far this season. Stanford is going to be a lot tougher. I am more than a little worried about the war in the trenches - I have a bad feeling that Stanford is going to out physical us on both the offensive and defensive lines. Herbert is looking good though!
Go Ducks!
I think that's where we were last time. They didn't have the bigger screen yet, and I remember looking over my shoulder at the smaller one each time a play was run. :)
We had some friends from Utah (and this was before the Utes joined and helped expand to the Pac-12), and they were hassled, some goodnaturedly, some not, the whole game. Of course, those folks were drunk, too. This was long before the rivalry heated up.
Stanford is looking tough again. I like the fact that everyone for the Ducks has beefed up, though. I understand they worked in the offseason to add weight. Will it be enough? I hope so, but the receivers can't afford to drop the first long ball strike for touchdown they get like they did against all three of their first opponents.
I was telling my younger son that they need to contain Love—an ongoing rush for both rush and pass would be nice—and then maybe pass to run to start, since their running game hasn't been so great looking to start (Brooks-James has been off, and it hasn't helped that they've been giving all six backs a look, though I understand they're paring that down).
The defense has looked better, though, I really like Leavitt, and I think Cristobal has the pedigree to turn the Duck program around. Whether he manages it or not, we'll see.
Guess I shouldn't have complained so much about going to the game. :)
It was really quite something how we managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory last night :(
Hey, @carlgnash.
I don't think I've ever seen a reversal of fortune quite like that. The Ducks have been in games where I've seen something similar happen, but it was something the other team did to spark it. Ducks vs. Utah a few years ago where the Ute drops the ball before crossing the goal line and our guy scoops and scores a 100-yard TD. Totally changed the game. Similar thing happened against TCU in the Alamo Bowl a couple of years ago, where TCU came back down 31-0. It was totally different halves. In that case, the Duck QB got hurt, I think.
This one, though, the Ducks apparently scored a touchdown, but then it wasn't, and then it just went downhill. Center couldn't snap the ball anymore. Stanford offense suddenly could move at will.
It just got worse. I'm not a believer in fate or destiny, but were there ever a reason to start believing, that game is it.
I'm convinced the Ducks can win any game they play from now on, including against Washington, if they can avoid kicking pylons on their way into the endzone. SMH. :)
Haha you spent about an hour just to be cleared to enter the stadium?
But wait oh...the spectators are too much.
There is a special feeling that comes when you watch a game live than when you watch it from a screen.
Hey, @maxijgcomm.
Oh, I agree. There's definitely an atmosphere that you don't get sitting by yourself or even with a group of friends. I just can't be around that many people for very long. Gives me a headache.
Actually, it was an hour and a half. But who's counting. :)
Oh I see. You easily get fed up with their chanting. Especially when your team is loosing!!
Well, considering everyone around me were also Duck fans, and there was only a very small section of Bowling Green fans, that wasn't the case at all. Couldn't even hear them.
Besides, if my team's behind, the other team's fans can chant all they want. It's the team's fault they're behind. :)
It's just in general. I have an aversion to crowds. Even if they're people I know and like. Can't explain it, and it hasn't improved with age. :)
While you have an aversion to crowd, there are those who found pleasure and fun there.
Anyways , that's life. Life is all about choices and those choices varies.
Well I much care about sports at all. After reading your experience my suspicions are confirmed. No need to go through all of that.
Really I just wanted to pop in and say hi. Not seen you around much lately. Hope the wife is recovering well and you are getting back on regular routine.
Hey, @headchange.
Yeah. I'm sure there are plenty who have a different mentality when it comes to watching games in person, but there's only been a few times where I actually enjoyed it more. The rest have been from the comfort of my own living room.
Well, thanks for saying hi. :)
As far as I know, I am back. My wife had plans to go down to Mexico to visit her sisters and aunts long before she even knew she had the hernias, so when it came time to set up the surgery, it turned out to be better to do it before she went. So, she's now down there recuperating more, but got a good to go from the surgeon before she left and is expected to return to work the week of October 1. In the meantime, she's still restricted to what she can lift to presumably give her body more time to rest up and heal. She tells me no one is allowing her to do anything, which I'm not sure if I completely believe, knowing her, but if so, good for them. :)
How about you? How goes it? Been busy?
The comfort of home is a great place for those of us who only pretend to pay attention lol
Lucky you! If I had the place to myself I could concentrate on what I am typing a lot better. Maybe even hit that top ten list again.
I am still just spinning in steemit circles. Write stuff collect pennies power up vote some and do it again.
I use to try and figure this place out. I have about decided it is just a type and repeat hamster wheel.
Hopefully in ever increasing numbers
There is a lot of wash, rinse and repeat definitely. I'm thinking, though, that there are strategies within that, along with the increase in numbers, that will help, like the company kept. You get the engagement numbers with those who engage, and you get the pennies by those who a) have the pennies, and b) are around to give them out. Or at least care enough to put you on their autovote list. :)
So, I've been trying to seek out more and more those dolphins and smaller orcas that still actually curate (they're not that easy to find, and I'm not making a lot of headway). I figure if I comment more and more on their stuff, that will help pennies-wise, and if I upvote the comments and posts of the minnows and the red fish, that will help them out. So, there's a balancing act that I'm inching my way towards, and of course, I need to be able to decipher and appreciate what I'm reading—too more not so easy things to do. :)
I know I definitely do better at building relations through comments. I have about decided to just use posting for whatever is fun. Turns out a couple extra readers appeared from that so win/win.
I am still in hopes the people I just naturally enjoy typing with will grow over time and I will continue to push/ pull in my little school of fish as we go.
Sadly my account now has a value less than the few $ I put in. That is not really encouraging.
yeah, not helpful when we look at the USD numbers, on any level. While we might not shed tears for them, those few with a million SP can't feel good about seeing less than a $1 million in their accounts. I would say it's like that all the way down.
Any active and engaged readers you can pick up is a win.
I am pretty sure it was easier for me to get from 50sp and 30 rep to where I am now in a much shorter time than if the $ amount had held. There has just flat out been less competition for attention and votes than there was.
It will be way easier to hold my own now if the floodgates open again. I think communities and relationships will help the little fish not get washed away in the masses.
I know you don't think much of the rep score system but that don't change the fact that people do judge by that. It has been way easier to get those points since it got slower. For me anyway.
Well, actually, I like the idea behind the reputation system, and have done everything I can to make sure I'm earning ever last fraction.
What I don't like is it's so easily bought. I don't think bidbot accounts should have ranks period, let alone higher than a lot of good content producers.
You shouldn't be able to buy your own reputation. It becomes worthless.
And regardless of how easy it is to go look at the blogs of high rep accounts, you shouldn't have to do that. You should be able to just trust the rank, but you can't.
That said, I'm becoming less a fan of the UA project. I think it's a better idea, if it is truly harder to game, but I think two of it's first three pillars—followers and whether you're a witness—is flawed. The follower system is broken too, and the top witnesses get there through whale votes, which means high SP is once again influencing things. The only pillar that makes sense so far is engagement, but from what I've read, it's an afterthought.
Thanks for this fascinating account of your football experience! I have never been to the game but our friends wanted to take us to Cornhuskers game while we were studying in Lincoln, Nebraska. They said it's a cultural experience you must see for yourself at least once in your lifetime. And I believe you when you say it's exhausting. I guess not only because of half a day of waiting but also because people don't generally sit during the game. Is it safe to say that it's a religious experience for many fans?
Oh, I suppose it borders on a religious experience for quite a few. When I was younger I would get much more emotional and involved. I'm afraid that bordered on something else. Way too happy when things went well, way too upset when they didn't. What did I get out of it? I wasn't being paid to be a fan. No one even knew I existed. My rooting them on did nothing to help or hinder the outcomes.
Once I realized that, I could actually enjoy the games, win or lose, and then go on with the rest of my week. :)
Now, that would have been an experience. Memorial Stadium is one of the largest football arenas in the country—90,000. It's amazing when you realize that there's basically a city of people inhabiting one smaller space at one time. It becomes a communal experience, and you tap into something where the majority of you are on the same page, liking the same thing, cheering and booing as one, for however long you can stand it.
That's all cool.
Is it worth all of the rest? When you're young, probably. You don't know any better. You get older, used to your creature comforts and wanting to actually know what happened on each play, not so much.
If we were able to get there, find reasonable parking, walk into the stadium, find our seats without stepping over everyone to get there, watch the game, and then leave without getting caught up in the crowds and then stuck in traffic, it would be great. :)
I've never heard of these ducks before but I did live in the states and I know people can really care about football there. I had no idea how hard it would be to actually see a game. I did once go to a baseball game and left early too. Absolutely nothing happens in that "sport" lol.
And holy cow on the the parking cost. I would never be able to make myself pay that much to park.
Hey, @fitinfun.
Well, the $50 parking cost was $2 more than what I bought one of our tickets for, so yeah, no way. There was only two of us. If there'd been 10 adults in a van all paying $5, fine, and I guess that's what they were counting on. Or something.
It's been at least 10 years since the last time we went, and we parked on the Stadium grounds for probably $5. I wasn't driving so I don't really remember.
Well, outside of the West, the Ducks don't get a whole lot of attention, but they have been to two national championships in the last ten years, but lost both, despite having the Heisman trophy winner at quarterback the last time (trophy for best college player in the country). So, runners up, but not the winner, which means you essentially get forgotten just like everyone else. :)