Favorite/Best MHSAA Football Stadiums (calling aowwt)

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TheOutlander

Favorite/Best MHSAA Football Stadiums (calling aowwt)

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02/25/08 5:14 PM

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Saw a post on mlive regarding stadiums and decided with the new polls with 20 options we should have a poll on this.

Taking nominations.

Here is what I want for the stadium to be on the poll.

At least 1 picture, (can be from google earth or other sattellite pics if that's all you have)
Dimensions and/or capacity.
Option: Other features?

Post info and/or pictures or links to pictures here.

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TheOutlander

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02/25/08 5:16 PM

Interesting formula by MegaFan66 to help in nominations (these are not nominations)

48330. Best HS Stadiums
by MegaFan66, 2/25/08 16:55 ET
I have posted by the name MegaFan6 before, but I deleted the email account I had that name under, so I had to create another name.
anyway...

Using Google earth I created a formula to figure out a ranking system for stadiums. The formula is height of the bleachers times 10 plus the length of the bleachers. Whatever that number is, you subtract 3 times the distance from the bleachers to the field. I also took away 300 points if the stadium was one sided.

This doesn't calculate the biggest stadium, but I think it calculates the best stadium in my opinion. The biggest isn't always the best because a stadium can be big, but if it is too far form the field, then a smaller stadium closer to the field is better...in my opinion. It doesn't take into consideration the surroundings. Like for example if the stadium is across the street from Niagara Falls or a burnt down abandoned house.

For example, this is how it went for Allen Park... Height of the home bleachers- 26 feet. 26 times 10 is 260. 197 feet was the length of the home bleachers, so you add 260 and 197, it equals 457. Now the distance from the home bleachers to the field is 56 feet, times that by 3, and you get 168. So then subtract 168 from 457 and the AP home side get's a score of 289. You do the same for the visitors side, and add the two numbers together for a total score of the whole stadium. AP's is 656.

Then you can figure out which conference has the best stadiums by averaging all the schools from the conference together.

So here are the results by conference. And this just includes the bigger conferences in the Metro area. And the results only include Class A schools. Because in the Mac, and Mega there are a lot of class B schools with poor stadiums that bring the average down, so I didn't count them.

1. OAA Avg. 725

2. KLAA Avg. 702

3. Mega Ave. 663

5. MAC Avg. 516

Below I will post individual schools results.

From the OAA in no particular order.

Avondale- 397

Berkley- 629

Groves- 776

Seaholm- 1078

Lahser- 478

Clarkston- 989

Farmington- 565

Harrison- 662

Ferndale- 439

Hazel Park- 651

Lake Orion- 825

North Farmington- 611

Oak Park- (-85)

Pontiac Northern/ Central- 1646

Rochester- 924

Adams- 624

Stoney Creek- 791

Royal Oak- 769

Southfield- 460

Lathrup- 613

Troy- 519

Athens- 977

West Bloomfield- 405

48330.1.1. KLAA
by MegaFan66, 2/25/08 17:05 ET
Re: Best HS Stadiums by MegaFan66, 2/25/08
Stevenson- 821
Novi- 717

Salem/ Canton/ Plymouth- 989

Northville- 765

Walled Lake Central- 639

Walled Lake Western- 860

Mott/ Kettering- 540

Lakeland- 597

Walled Lake Northern- 1014

John Glenn- 568

Franklin- 692

Wayne- 593

Churchill- 634

Howell- 533

Brighton- 678

Milford- 428

South Lyon- 442

Pickney- 496

48330.1.2. Mega
by MegaFan66, 2/25/08 17:08 ET
Re: Best HS Stadiums by MegaFan66, 2/25/08
Allen Park- 565
Belleville- 469

Woodhaven- 1060

Dearborn- 448

Edsel Ford- 535

Fordson- 730

Crestwood- 630

Garden City- 741

Carlson- 825

Lincoln Park- 896

Monroe- 827

Union- 555

Romulus- 545

Southgate- 329

Kennedy- 627

Truman- 615

Wyandotte- 705

Ypsilanti- 739

48330.1.3. MAC
by MegaFan66, 2/25/08 17:12 ET
Re: Best HS Stadiums by MegaFan66, 2/25/08 Chippewa Valley- 855
East Detroit- (-300)

Fraser- 460

Grosse Pointe North- 3

Grosse Pointe South- 523

L'Anse Creuse- 600

Dakota- 998

L'Anse Creuse North- 685

Port Huron/ Port Huron Northern- 1128

Romeo- 569

Roseville- 361

Sterling Hts- 547

Stevenson/ Ford- 729

Utica/ Eisenhower- 652

Cousino- 386

Mott- 474

I could not locate Anchor Bay's stadium. So I didn't count them.

48330.1.4. Others of note
by MegaFan66, 2/25/08 17:16 ET
Re: Best HS Stadiums by MegaFan66, 2/25/08
Battle Creek Central- 1271
St. Joseph- 1174

Stevensville Lakeshore- 1351

Holt- 997

Jackson- 997

Lansing Everett- 1183

Detroit CC- 779

East Grand Rapids- 1107

East Kentwood- 1313

Muskegon- 517 (home side- 817)

Muskegon Mona Shores- 1263

Muskegon Reeths Puffer- 1195

Rockford- 929

Bay City Central- 1372

Atwood Stadium (Flint) Flint Northern, Flint Central, Flint Southwetsern- 2322 (best in the state)

Midland- 1088

Saginaw Arthur Hill- 1742

Ann Arbor Pioneer- 1080

Saline- 1422

Temperence Bedford- 1039

Last Edited By: TheOutlander 02/25/08 5:20 PM. Edited 1 time.

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EKDAD

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02/25/08 10:55 PM

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Well, I appreciate your willingness to keep this as objective and analytical as possible. However, as soon as you use the word 'best', you have opened up a can of worms. Best means diferent things to diferent people. I know fans that love sitting close, while others enjoy sitting half way up the stands, yet others who want to sit up at the top (and at EK, that is a very long way from the field). But for each of these fans, thier seat is the best! When considering whcih stadium is best, you have to consider other things like restrooms, concessions, parking, traffic/people flow. Sorry, but best is more then a simple equation that factors how far from the field you sit and attaching a numerical value to it. It is about the entire experience. Place values on those, and then you have a starting point to 'suggest' what you might think would be some of the best venues. Good luck!

GO EK!

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BIGREDS89

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02/25/08 11:43 PM

Agree with EKDAD. To watch a game I love Hackley stadium (admittedly biased) but your right on top of the game in an old school cement stadium that has a college atomosphere to it. But to park at Hackley??? that absolutely sucks, just no other way to put it.

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Searn

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02/26/08 12:15 AM

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As long as I can get into a stadium and there is adequate seating for both home and away on a regular basis .. that's good enough for me.

As for personal preferences.

As long as it's well maintained, I'll take the old school cement over the new school metal. ... gives it more of a "stadium" feel as opposed to a "bleacher" feel.

Just after having adequate seating ... having no track around the field is probably my #2 concern.

The other stuff like parking, concessions, bathroom is mostly a bonus for me ... I do not usually use concessions since it's usually hot dogs and nachos, so I try to eat before, but super bonus points to schools that have some original concession items ... such as one year I had chicken wings at Southfield High.

The two places I've been that fit my preferences are ...

1. Wisner Stadium - Pontiac
2. Port Huron Memorial Stadium

Both are old school cement stadiums in good shape and both have no track around the field so you are right on top of the action as well as solid seating on BOTH sides.

These two will be my nominations.
Wisner (reported capacity is 6,600 by Wikipedia)

Port Huron Memorial

Maybe I'll add some more later ...

(Hamtramck Keyworth would fit that criteria but last I saw it was in poor condition)

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TOMMYZ

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02/26/08 7:44 AM

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Searn wrote:
As long as I can get into a stadium and there is adequate seating for both home and away on a regular basis .. that's good enough for me.

As for personal preferences.

As long as it's well maintained, I'll take the old school cement over the new school metal. ... gives it more of a "stadium" feel as opposed to a "bleacher" feel.

I totally agree with this searn..That is why I absolutely love Wayne Memorial High Schools Facility.The trees around that field are beautiful...Westland John Glenn is fantastic as well...

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EKDAD

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02/26/08 8:26 AM

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Okay, stadiums without tracks, Hackley and Thirlby have to be two of the very best in the state. Stadiums with a track, East Kentwood is my preference for all of the aforementioned reasons. There are several stadiums that are new and nearly as nice i.e Jenison, Hudsonville, but non better in my humble opinion. Separate (but equal) concessions, bathrooms, spirit store, wall of fame, walkway of fame, even separate locker room buildings at the north endzone with all of the ammenities you would expect in a college locker room. A great place to call home (yes I am biased, but come over and see for yourself some Frdiay night... let me know and I will load you up with VIP parking, great seats, a couple of Falcon Franks and soda.

I watch my nutrition, but I make allowances for EK Falcon Franks, Chicken BBQ sandwich, popcorn or whatever on 5 Friday nights in the fall.
GO EK!

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prepseer

Stadiums

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02/26/08 9:59 AM

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Agree with Searn that the old cement stadiums are preferable to the aluminum bleachers. I love Wisner and Port Huron Memorial. To those, I think you have to add Hackley in Muskegon, Thirlby in Traverse City and Jackson Witherington. I'm not positive that Jackson is cement, but it certainly has the feel of a stadium more than the average bleachers. Royal Oak Kimball also is a blend of cement and bleachers. Agree that Keyworth would be on the list if it were not falling apart and had parking. Of the newer style bleacher stadiums, I think Birmingham Seaholm is one of the nicest. Their parking is limited, but the stands, particularly on the home side are very nice and the setting is nice as well. As for the nice, newer stadiums that are mostly in the Grand Rapids area, I love Rockford. Great stands, hillside seating--the best I've seen. Hudsonville's home stands are huge and there is also some hillside seating. It's a close second to Rockford. I can't comment on others that I'm sure are just as good or better since I haven't seen them. EK, Grand Haven, Jenison are three that I've heard are pretty nice. All that said, there's nothing better than a Brother Rice--CC Boys Bowl on a sunny October afternoon at Wisner with fans arriving three hours before the game and tailgaiting in the grass field next to the stadium.

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UofMstucoach

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02/26/08 11:38 AM

New Saline Stadium is pretty nice. Small seating but built into hillsides so it can handle more people if need be, plus no track.

AA Pioneer is also a nice, trackless stadium with concrete seating.

C. W. Post in Battle Creek I've always liked, even if it were straight out of the 1950s.

And although, I've never been to it, I've driven by River Rouge's field and I was always impressed by it. It isn't large and it has a track, but it looks very nice, if only from the road.

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Searn

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02/26/08 12:24 PM

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I forgot about a few of those noted that are very nice that I've been to ...

Glenn, Pioneer, Seaholm, Jackson Witherington(though most of the seating seemed to be on the one side), ....

I also like Walled Lake Northern, It's alum seating, but it's solid in size and no track around the field.

Another feature I forgot to mention is that it adds something when the stands are built into a hill, such as Lakeland, Walled Lake Central, etc.

Macomb Dakota deserves a mention as well.

The new Howell Parker was very nice, something somewhat unique with the concessions at the top of the bleachers ... but I wouldn't include it on the list due to tiny visitor seating. South Lyon I have the same issue with, a very nice home side, but the visitor side has like 5 rows of seating.

I'll add some more if I think of them.

Worst places to watch a game in the area = Milford and Orchard Lake St. Marys

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prepseer

worst stadiums

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02/26/08 12:37 PM

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I agree on Orchard Lake St. Mary's. It might be the worst stadium in the state. It's a stretch to even call it a stadium. Worst visitor stands--even with recent improvements. Worst home stands. Worst pressbox. Bad parking. All this on one of the most beautiful high school campuses in the state. (the high school benefits from the fact it's really a college campus) It's hard to get much worse than OLSM for visitor seating. One school that does is Oak Park. The home side isn't bad, but the visitor stands rank near the bottom. As I recall, most visitor fans sit on the home side. I haven't been to all the PSL fields. I imagine some of those could be considered "worst" as well.

Another nice one I just remembered is Hurley Field in Berkley.

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GHSfootball1990

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02/26/08 1:32 PM

Here are a few from Southwest Michigan Lakeshore Al Stockman Stadium and just a few miles down the road is St. Joseph's Dickinson Stadium

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
-- Mark Twain

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aowwt

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02/26/08 4:27 PM

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Well calling me out about stadiums is a bad idea. Okay here is some thoughts. First you have split up the poll into diffrent categories first and foremost.

Cat 1. Class A Track Stadiums
Cat 2. Class A Non Track Stadiums
Cat 3. Class B Track Stadiums
Cat 4. Class B Non Track Stadiums
Cat 5. Class C-D Track Stadiums
Cat 6. Class C-D Non Track Stadiums

Now how do you classify them.

First I think it comes down to seating. The conditions are the key here. Things you should considering is how they look, how much, and ability to get to your seat fairly quickly ie isle widths need to be good. Next I would look at is parking. The type of parking and how much is the key here. Asphalt or concrete is the better ones, grass or mud are horrid but those come in second to availble parking. Third thing is the PA system. Giving correct scores and numbers out are essential. Having a system that works also helps. The next thing to look for is the Restrooms. Having enough capacity so you dont have lines to the stands and also having them in good locations. The Fifth thing to look for is the entrences. Do they have enough lines to get people in and out of the stadium effectively. Lastly I think the location of the facility is the last thing to look for. The location should have either good asthetic appeal and location should be easy to get into and out of.

Now for me I think East Kentwood would rank one of the top stadiums in the state for Cat 1. In fact I cant think of anything they do not have in this list that would be a failure. For non track A's I like to say Pontiac Wisner has to be up there along with Traverse City Thirby Feild. For the Class Bs, you will not get many that will allow all 6 categories to be in the top. I just cant get my memory to work to get a good answer. Now for Class C-Ds here I think you will see some with very few if any being tops in all 6 and maybe in 5. So for the CDs you should look for ones that have tops in 4 and also considering the size of the schools look for ones that have Cat 1, 3, 4, and 6. Most if not all the CDs will have one entrence and as for parking, you be lucky if you get asphalt parking and more than likely it will be grass or street parking.

	OK Conference Coverage, Predictions, and Standings at Searn Football
	Need to find a facility or find infomation about a facility for High School Football in the State of Michigan. Come to Michigan High School Stadium Site for a visit and to find the info you are looking for.

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KleShreen

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02/26/08 5:00 PM

Rockford.

end thread.

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aowwt

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02/26/08 5:09 PM

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Kle please dont make me laugh. Rockford is by and large one of the worst Class A facities in the state. Frankly its seating is horrible. It has very little in isle space. Parking is well an issue if you want to leave in a timely fashion. As for the PA well its an older system but works. Annoucer is fine. Restrooms, well lets just say go before you go to the game and dont drink anything. That is nearly impossible. The away side stills has porta potties and the home well lets just say you can not watch the game while going to the location, its on the backside of the home stand. Frankly I think its the worst venue in the OK Red and a lot of the places in the other divisions in the OK are better.

	OK Conference Coverage, Predictions, and Standings at Searn Football
	Need to find a facility or find infomation about a facility for High School Football in the State of Michigan. Come to Michigan High School Stadium Site for a visit and to find the info you are looking for.

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scottramfan

Well as a Rockford supporter.....

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02/26/08 5:34 PM

First off I could not agree with EKDad more. Best is certainly in the eye of the beholder. You couple your own personal memories and experiences together and what I like best and what anyone else likes best can differ greatly. First I will address the Ted home of my beolved Rams. If I were a visitor I would probably hate it (sun in your eyes, poor visitor seating, poor restroom situation). But from the homeside I love it. Got to give West Ottawa the vote for worst in the Red. Also love the natural grass. Got to have the smell. I understand why the teams go to the fake stuff, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.My vote for best Red field is Jenison,despite the turf. Have yet to see Grand Havens new place.I for one have always had a positive experience at Hackley,especially this year (couldn't resist BigRed). I LOVE the no track fields. Thirlby is very nice also. Don't forget Lowell is a nice place, Houseman has its own charm as wel as history.

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BiasedGuy

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02/26/08 7:00 PM

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By MHSSA stadium I am assuming you mean a member school's stadium? As such places like Keyworth and Wisner would not count?

I really liked EL stadium. (the House that Magic Built - okay that was indoors) Lots of room. Lots of parking even if it was on the grass. We parked near the road but don't mind a walk so getting out was a snap. The stands were large, yet you seemed close to the field.

I think Howell' new set up is interesting with the home fan stands nestled against the wall of the gymnasium. Very cool.

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ColonelKVC

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02/26/08 11:02 PM

Interesting that Searn's two "worst" are home to some good football, and that is sad.

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BIGREDS89

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02/26/08 11:43 PM

scottramfan wrote:
First off I could not agree with EKDad more. Best is certainly in the eye of the beholder. You couple your own personal memories and experiences together and what I like best and what anyone else likes best can differ greatly. First I will address the Ted home of my beolved Rams. If I were a visitor I would probably hate it (sun in your eyes, poor visitor seating, poor restroom situation). But from the homeside I love it. Got to give West Ottawa the vote for worst in the Red. Also love the natural grass. Got to have the smell. I understand why the teams go to the fake stuff, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.My vote for best Red field is Jenison,despite the turf. Have yet to see Grand Havens new place.I for one have always had a positive experience at Hackley,especially this year (couldn't resist BigRed). I LOVE the no track fields. Thirlby is very nice also. Don't forget Lowell is a nice place, Houseman has its own charm as wel as history.

Its all good Scott. Those Rams of yours earned those bragging rights.................for now.

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KleShreen

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02/27/08 3:59 PM

aowwt wrote:
Kle please dont make me laugh. Rockford is by and large one of the worst Class A facities in the state. Frankly its seating is horrible. It has very little in isle space. Parking is well an issue if you want to leave in a timely fashion. As for the PA well its an older system but works. Annoucer is fine. Restrooms, well lets just say go before you go to the game and dont drink anything. That is nearly impossible. The away side stills has porta potties and the home well lets just say you can not watch the game while going to the location, its on the backside of the home stand. Frankly I think its the worst venue in the OK Red and a lot of the places in the other divisions in the OK are better.

I guess when I read "best", to me it meant the stadium that looked the best cosmetically, and had the best view of the game. Rockford's rounded hill on the north side looks spectacular, and the home side looks better than anything I've seen at any other Michigan HS game. As for a view of the game, there's not a bad seat in Rockford's house, track withstanding. If the track was gone, it would be unmatched, but even with the track you feel like you're in a MAC-caliber stadium as far as look and feel. I wasn't taking into account aisle space and bathroom location...but specifically how it looks and feels to walk around and watch a game in.

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Favorite/Best MHSAA Football Stadiums (calling aowwt)

Favorite/Best MHSAA Football Stadiums (calling aowwt)