(S19) - PT3 - Stadium Experiences

[Jay_Doctor]

Game day in Tijuana is probably the craziest experience I have had yet. Kansas City was a good if safe feeling atmosphere, but Tijuana has taken things to another level. If I had to compare it to anything, it feels almost like a soccer atmosphere. Three blocks around the stadium are fully immersed on game day morning. People wake up and start their day drinking and tailgating. It brings me back to my college days honestly. Food, fans and alcohol everywhere. Music is blasting, the sun is heating up and so are the fans. No matter which way you take to get to the stadium, hundreds of fans recognize you and want you to stop with them for a moment. I’ve been offered some of the best food of my life, but my favorite part is when they try offering me a beer or margarita. My response is always the same. If we will, I’ll be back tonight.
I’m not sure how many fans actually believe that I come back, but I usually make good on my word. That being said, I tell it to about 10 different groups. There is a good chance I miss at least one of them, but I do my best. Connecting with the fans has been my favorite thing of all. We sometimes forget our roots and it always brings me back to when I was young. I looked up to athletes and part of me felt it was something unobtainable. I was also slightly worried that the Luchadore community wouldn’t love me right away, since I was drafted by the Coyotes the season before and came over due to the contraction draft. That hasn’t been the cased at all. I have felt welcome from day one and really enjoyed getting to know the fans on a personal level.

[Buttersqauch101]

Back in the day of the NFL glory days, many teams had their own traditions whether it be the fans jumping through tabels, or throwing bottles at refs to end the game early. The same traditions go on in the NSFL and the DSFL. For Ennis his time With the Kansas City Coyotes during home games all the players and fans would howl whenever the Coyotes scored, got a turnover or even during the pregame. A tradition that’s been around for the team since the teams inaugural season. For the Sabercats fans especially sprint at eachother at full speed when tailgating and then jumping up into eachother. But for the players there is a secret tradition that always goes on during practice or during a game at halftime. All players go around and announce the mistakes they have made during the past week and during games and explain that why they are better then that and after making a group prayer for al interested. On the way out of the stadium the all out there band on Sabe the Sabercat as a good luck charm and hope for a high scoring second half. Also maybe some ritual sacrifices of robot players but we don’t talk about those

[Mooty99]

The experience of visiting the Copperheads is a superb one as you might image being that Austin itself is such a vibrate and fun city. The Copperheads stadium itself is set on the south bank of the Colorado river with downtown Asutin just on the other side of the river. The stadium is a resplendent building fully covered in copper scales which shine under the Texas sun. When game day happens the 1st street bridge is throbbing with fans making there way from the bars of downtown to the stadium, and this river crossing is what set up a unique Austin tradition, crossing the nightly Colorado river in the funniest and best way, fans have zip lined across or flung themselves in home made catapults. many have taken to rowing any and every sort of vessel from the humble bath tub to the giant paddle steamer. The tailgate has also spread to the river with home made booze barges littering the river on game day full of revelers soaking up the sunshine and have a few well earned beverages before the game takes place. so if you fancy a good time come on time before the game and enjoy the booze and bbq barges with the legendary Copperhead fans.

(WC 209)

[nickyvmlp]

Seeing as how San Jose is just a hair's breadth away from Palo Alto, our stadium, the HP Pavillion is one of the most technologically advanced venues in all of sports. We've got full 5G through the whole stadium, parking lot, and about a block around the building in every direction. There're bard on each side of the facility with a huge selection of California's latest beer and wine options. And of course, parking lots capable of hosting as many tailgate parties as the fans need. When the pre-game festivities start, we bring over some of the brainiacs from Stanford to set up a gigantic pyrotechnic and fireworks show. When the Sabercats come out, we're pretty sure you can see it from space. We also have this thing on our app that's synced up to player intros, where when a player comes out, you can see his or her stats, highlights, history with the team, everything you need to know before game time. We pride ourselves on having some of the smartest, most in the know fans in the league, and we're doing a good job of keeping up with them on an intellectual level.

[pazuzu]

SHL PT

[UpperNet]

Net Gaines doesnt always pay attention to the tail gate and traditions and all sort of that stuff but when he do Net I usually fascinated by the tail gaters traditions and how crazy and passionate they are about having some ole fashion fun before a copperhead game. First they grab a bunch of beer and prepare to get wild before the game even starts pumping themselves up to see some Copperhead actions. Usually after they get some beer they have some fun with a mechanical bull that one of the locals let them use and see who can stay on the bull the longest without flying off ir barfing! Next they have a good, delicious BQQ feast before the game. Tail gate would bring different kind of smoked BBQ goods such as ribs, pork, beef and chicken and the security guard even let them bring the food in on special occasions with a extra fee to pay of course. And finally the austin folks do know how to dress right some bring fancy cowboy hats wearing them with the copperheads jerseys! Fancy hats and boots these folks would dress all fancy just for game day and it's great seeing these fans root for us! knowing we have such great fans really raises are spirits and get the team pumped for some football!

[KillKillKill]

In Austin, there are three phases to team traditions. There's a pregame, in game and post game ritual and the post game ritual will vary depending on a win or a loss.

The pregame ritual is by far the most fun. First and foremost, comes the drinking. Get as hammered as possible before the game. There is no time limit for this. Just get wasted. Then, they take the jersey of the opposing team's quarterback, soak it in whatever the team's local alcohol of choice consists of, and then just set it on fire while singing the Copperhead fight song. We as a team are discouraged from encouraging this fan behavior, but hey, it's their thing.

The in game ritual involves the entire home crowd to hiss during the initial kick off. As the kicker trots up to kick, they start hissing and don't stop until the ball is kicked. It's much like the college game, but the fans love it so much, we adopted the practice.

Lastly, and this will vary depending on if the Copperheads win or lose, comes the post game ritual. If the Copperheads lose, all fans turn their jerseys backwards and, if they are wearing one, their hats as well. They then chant "It doesn't count anyways" as they exit the stadium. If the Copperheads win, the fans will sing the team fight song and swing their jerseys above their heads, much like the Terrible Towels in Pittsburgh. Whatever alcohol they have with them, must then be chugged before exiting the stadium.

256 Words

[toivo]

SHL PT

[Kyle]

Game days in Tijuana are absolutely, unequivocally insane. The culture clash of the United States of America's biggest sport hitting the Mexican border city creates an atmosphere that is a beautiful blend of love, mystique, drunkenness, and semi-organized violence. My first home game I thought Tijuana was rioting. Now I understand that while this intense party is chaotic, it's all done as a community and helps bring a town that's had its trouble closer together.
When you arrive you will see groups of people playing full contact tackle football in the street. You will smell the food people cook on the tailgates, food that can rival any 5 star chef in the U.S. you will hear loud mariachi bands seemingly perfectly spaced apart so that there is always loud, joyous music but it never clashes. You will feel the heat from the flames lit no matter how hot it is. These large fires lit throughout the city are meant to keep away opposing teams fans through a mixture of fear and self preservation. If you can't take the heat, they know you don"t belong in Tijuana.
All of this continues in stadium. all of it. No police or security crew will dare try to calm the place down, nor would we let them. There are however multiple fire crews that remain fairly active from whistle to whistle. Our amazing fans come armed with laser pointers and insults a combination a have seen make many opposing players cry. The best part is that there isn't a single person without their very own luchador mask on.

[roastfuego]

Tijuana is the best stadium in the DSFL, but you know that before you even enter the stadium. The smells of locally prepared cuisines attack and invigorate you before walking through the gates. My boy Idelwyld talked about what the fans do for the stadium, but I will tell you what the stadium does for the fans.

The last home game was our yearly "Lucha-Mask Game" with each attendant receiving a Lucha Mask. The stadium is fan centered, focusing on being inclusive to each and every fan. You can order food from your seat, and if you do need to step away from the game for any reason you will not be more then thirty feet away from a screen playing the game. Tijuanas team has a very family induced vibe, and we want the stadium to feel the same way, allowing you to be a part of the game with our jumbo tron inclusion.

Luchadores DE Kyle Idelwyld and WR Randy Vuxta, both rookies, have helped to amp up the feeling in the crowd. Idelwyld after every highlight play gets up and looks towards the audience and shouts, to which the audience shouts back and the jumbo tron lights up and says GET IDEL-WILD! Vuxta has several recorded messages asking the fans to get loud or to stay silent while offense is at work.

Finally, the players are really involved with fan engagement, having numerous opportunities for autograph situations after games. This allows the fans to make a personal connection with the players that not only represent their city, but also themselves. It also allows the players to understand who they play for, not just as faces but to learn their stories as well. This connection causes the game on the field to be better and as that improves the fans become more wild, becoming a circle of self sustaining energy.

#ForDD