BEST SPORTING ENVIRONMENTS
With the opening of the New Yankee Stadium on Thursday afternoon, an interesting question an interesting question was posed on ESPN radio – what is the best sports environment you have ever been a part of?
Taking all things into considering with the fan excitement, the tension in the game, the pre-game hype, etc., etc.Having been to countless sporting events over the years, here’s a list of my top five sporting environments:
1) 1997 Calder Cup Finals Game 2 – Hershey Bears vs. Hamilton Bulldogs
OK, maybe an odd selection but let me tell you the “old barn” (i.e. Hersheypark Arena) was jumping that evening. Based on a per fan average, the loudest sports environment I’ve been a part of. The 8,000 or so fans were just out of control loud and it’s the only time I remember doing the wave at a non-baseball game. Everyone was doing the wave because there was so much energy in the building we had to release it somehow.
The Bears were down 4-2 in the third period before scoring three goals in just over two minutes to take the lead late in the game. However, Hamilton scored a goal with 56 seconds left to force OT but Mike McHugh scored his third goal of the game less than a minute in overtime and the placed erupted!
2) Notre Dame vs. USC – 2005
The “Bush Push” game. Need I say more?
3) Virginia Tech vs. Miami – 2001
Miami was looking to complete an undefeated season and play for the national title. The Hokies were very much over-matched on paper during this Saturday afternoon contest in Blacksburg but VT hung with them and gave themselves a chance for a upset with a huge block punt and TD return in fourth quarter that had the stadium out of control and loud. However, it wasn’t enough as Miami hung on the win.
4) 2008 NLDS Game 3 - L.A. Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
People tailgating? The Stadium almost completely full prior to first-pitch? At Dodger Stadium? The place was a buzz of actively prior to, during and after the game. People waving their white playoff towels. A whole lot of fun/excitement in the air as the Dodgers swept the Cubs.
5) Radford vs. JMU -
HUH? That’s right! The Highlanders and Dukes battle it out in a regional TV game at the Dedmon Center with my beloved Radford pulling out a 62-60 win with a last second put-back. Two days earlier Radford beat cross-county rival Virginia Tech and that got the campus fan base into a big ball of excitement then this game against in-state foe JMU was back-and-forth to the end. Tons of energy inside the bubble that afternoon! I can still remember so many specific (seemingly insignificant) moments from that entire day.
Taking all things into considering with the fan excitement, the tension in the game, the pre-game hype, etc., etc.Having been to countless sporting events over the years, here’s a list of my top five sporting environments:
1) 1997 Calder Cup Finals Game 2 – Hershey Bears vs. Hamilton Bulldogs
OK, maybe an odd selection but let me tell you the “old barn” (i.e. Hersheypark Arena) was jumping that evening. Based on a per fan average, the loudest sports environment I’ve been a part of. The 8,000 or so fans were just out of control loud and it’s the only time I remember doing the wave at a non-baseball game. Everyone was doing the wave because there was so much energy in the building we had to release it somehow.
The Bears were down 4-2 in the third period before scoring three goals in just over two minutes to take the lead late in the game. However, Hamilton scored a goal with 56 seconds left to force OT but Mike McHugh scored his third goal of the game less than a minute in overtime and the placed erupted!
2) Notre Dame vs. USC – 2005
The “Bush Push” game. Need I say more?
3) Virginia Tech vs. Miami – 2001
Miami was looking to complete an undefeated season and play for the national title. The Hokies were very much over-matched on paper during this Saturday afternoon contest in Blacksburg but VT hung with them and gave themselves a chance for a upset with a huge block punt and TD return in fourth quarter that had the stadium out of control and loud. However, it wasn’t enough as Miami hung on the win.
4) 2008 NLDS Game 3 - L.A. Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
People tailgating? The Stadium almost completely full prior to first-pitch? At Dodger Stadium? The place was a buzz of actively prior to, during and after the game. People waving their white playoff towels. A whole lot of fun/excitement in the air as the Dodgers swept the Cubs.
5) Radford vs. JMU -
HUH? That’s right! The Highlanders and Dukes battle it out in a regional TV game at the Dedmon Center with my beloved Radford pulling out a 62-60 win with a last second put-back. Two days earlier Radford beat cross-county rival Virginia Tech and that got the campus fan base into a big ball of excitement then this game against in-state foe JMU was back-and-forth to the end. Tons of energy inside the bubble that afternoon! I can still remember so many specific (seemingly insignificant) moments from that entire day.
posted by Stephen Hinkel at
10:54 AM
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