Advice for son's first Tennessee game

#26
#26
I started mine out at 5, this was when he was old enough to sit through most of a game without getting on everyone's nerves. Always start with traditions like the Vol-walk, Volunteer Village, the band march, call in show, bookstore etc. Even a favorite restaurant. get pictures of everything, especially of him and the Gen. Neyland statue. get your tickets early and get them under the canopy, pick a weak opponent, i have purchased tickets here and on stubhubb at very good prices, several of the ticket sellers here will give you a deal especially if they know why. The O&W game is great but my son enjoys the real game much more. Most important advice is start a tradition think it thru and make it kid friendly. He will grow up a true VFL.

Go Big Orange
 
#29
#29
TAMUVOLS12 said:
My son is 8 months old and I would like to know everyone’s thoughts on what an appropriate age is to take him to his first game?

Also, we live in Charlotte and it's almost 4 hours for us to drive with him.

Thanks and GO VOLS!


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At least wait until potty training is over and can walk themselves to the stadium without being carried the entire walk.
 
#30
#30
I really can't answer this...sadly I'm 31 and haven't been to my first Vols game yet :( I hope to change that this year though. It's about a 2 1/2 hr drive from where I live. Any advice on what all I should do prior to kick off, besides taking in the Vol Walk.
 
#31
#31
volger said:
I would wait till he's old enough to remember it. 7 or 8 maybe. I remember next to nothing prior to 5.
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My dad took me to my 1st game at 5...I don't remember it at all. Went again at 8 & remember it well! I'd say at least 6!
 
#34
#34
By the time he's 5 we'll know if Butch is the real deal or not. Then you'll know whether to take him or wait till he's 8 or 9.
 
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#36
#36
Father of two young kids here. My opinion is that there's no point taking your kid to a game until he or she is old enough to be interested in what's going on when you watch on TV. There's no reason to be in the stadium if your kid's not paying attention to the game and you can't pay attention to anything but your kid.

My son was six and it ended up being about perfect -- he was old enough to follow the game, old enough to be floored by the experience, old enough to probably remember it forever, and, critically, old enough that I got to watch the whole game myself.
 
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#37
#37
My Granddaughter will be 11 months old when she sees her first game next year, either the first or second game depending on when my Son can get his vacation time. I think as long as we keep her shaded and hydrated she will be fine.
 
#38
#38
I waited and took mine when he was 30 and I should of waited until he was 40.He wouldnt sit still and all he wanted to do was cry and somebody hold him.damn kids.
of course this is a joke.GBO
 
#39
#39
Take that precious boy whenever you feel like taking him. He may not remember it but I guarantee you will remember it the rest of your life. Started taking my son when he was four to FB games though at that age he was alot more interested in smokey. Started basketball games at 2. Had to drape my leg over his seat because he didnt weigh enough to keep it down.
 
#40
#40
we took our 14mo son to an FCS game in Dec just to see how he would react. By the end of the 1st quarter he was done and we had to take him home. Nothing really seemed to bother him except the noise and I spent quite a bit of time covering his ears

we may do the O&W game but it will be a couple years before we take him to a regular season game at UT. Of course I have plenty of babysitters in Knoxville so that doesn't prevent me from going :)
 
#41
#41
Go to an o & w game first. Im taking my 4 yr old girl to the o & w this year. Its not that loud and you have room to spread out. I will take her back to a regular season game in a couple years.
 
#42
#42
OrangeDog said:
My daughter is 4 and she has gone at least once, every year since she was 2.... My son is 3 and went to his first game this year.

Every kid is different.

Don't take him to a game that matters that much to you.
Somebody is going to miss some snaps.

My kids have been GREAT and LOVE it. They're good enough that they don't bother people.

Get seats out of the sun or out of the rain.
The Terrace is great, since you can take them in to 'Run Around' if needed.

Mine absolutely LOVE it already.
I wish I could have started being a VFL when I was that age.

Here are pix of the kids at the Bar at The 4 points after the game....
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I think this guy is doing it right. Take the kid whenever you want, make sure he ties one on at the bar and then you can watch the game in peace while he sleeps it off.
 
#43
#43
Vercingetorix said:
Father of two young kids here. My opinion is that there's no point taking your kid to a game until he or she is old enough to be interested in what's going on when you watch on TV. There's no reason to be in the stadium if your kid's not paying attention to the game and you can't pay attention to anything but your kid.

My son was six and it ended up being about perfect -- he was old enough to follow the game, old enough to be floored by the experience, old enough to probably remember it forever, and, critically, old enough that I got to watch the whole game myself.
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This is an excellent post. Have 9 year old and still could care less but 7 year old just started to get into it this year. Even picked so called cupcake game of Troy that ended up being a shoot-out that they hung in there for. I do bypass the volunteer village and vol walk as that makes for far too long of a day.
 
#44
#44
Took mine to the Montana game when he was 2. Despite the heat & rain delay he loved it. I think the big key is going to a cupcake. Buy cheap tickets off the street then sit where he can have some space to move around in the row without disturbing anyone. If you only pay $10 for a tix its not going to kill you if you have to leave early.

Another key is we went with his cousin who is the same age. They could interact with each other when the game wasn't interesting.

As for those that say kids don't remember, he still asks to go back to watch the Vols play.
 
#45
#45
salutethehill said:
Both of my boy's first games were when they were 3. I made sure they had a great time. They've gone to at least 1 game every year since (one is 9 now, the other is 5). I think it's great when parents bring their little kids.

My words of wisdom
1- Try to get seats near the band/cheerleaders/Smokey. They love Smokey and they love drums (but not too close).
2 - You probably don't want to bring them to a big game until they're a little older. Start with cupcakes so you don't have to pay as close attention...as you WILL be entertaining them to some degree (WHOA Look at the fireworks...where's Smokey?...let's go for a walk...lets go pee in that trough again...etc.).
3 - The Spring Game is an excellent idea, and a fun, cheap way for the entire family to get to Neyland, especially if the weather's nice. And tremendous photo ops abound at the O&W Game. See:

smoke_2.jpg


crew.jpg
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Great pics and good advice. Took my daughter to her first game when she was 6. She doesn't have much interest in football but loved the experience. Have gone to several games with her since then. The only things she complained about regarding Neyland were 1) didn't like the bench seating and 2) women's bathrooms were "gross".

For me, being able to share the experience with my daughter was priceless.
 
#46
#46
TAMUVOLS12 said:
My son is 8 months old and I would like to know everyone’s thoughts on what an appropriate age is to take him to his first game?

Also, we live in Charlotte and it's almost 4 hours for us to drive with him.

Thanks and GO VOLS!
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Something else to consider - it's kinda cool when you're 35 and someone asks you, "when was your first UT game?"...and you can say, "when I was 1. been going every year since". It actually makes you more of a man.
 
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#47
#47
OldandStillaVol said:
..........

For me, being able to share the experience with my daughter was priceless.
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I agree. If I just wanted to watch the game I would watch it on TV for better seats and better replays... without traveling 350 miles and spending LOTS & LOTS of money.

We go for the whole package:
Atmosphere, Experience, Memories, Friends, etc. etc. etc.
Sometimes with the kids, but mostly without.

I have found out that "it ain't all about me".
Expose your kids to alot if possible.

If it doesn't work out, be prepared to leave and wait longer before taking them back.
 
#48
#48
OldandStillaVol said:
Great pics and good advice.
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Thanks. Don't get me started on pics. Here they are snagging FGs during warm ups.

Want some pressure? Try to snap a quick pic when the managers are yelling "BALL!" at you.

Jer.jpg


BRod.jpg


Top pic is Southern Miss game several years ago (McCoy body slam) and bottom pic was the last Vandy game in Knoxville...I think.
 
#49
#49
Every kid is different. I keep it simple. If they can't sit through a two hour movie without getting bored and wanting to leave. I'm not going to take them to a game. Nothing worse then having to leave at half time when your team is kicking the dog snot out of someone.

JMOT
 
#50
#50
About 5. Home Coming is a good game, the weather is nice, lots of extra stuff going on before and during the game; the crowd is usually better than the other bad OOC games but still not packed like a Florida or Bama game.
 
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