Never been to Neyland

#26
#26
You should feel about as good as you would when you realize that you have meet the most amazing woman of your life. You are going to smile from beginning to end man.
 
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#28
#28
I was 12 when I walked up the south ramp. It was shoulder to shoulder, but for me I was buried below everyone. All I new about Neyland stadium was the picture painted by John Ward. I had spent countless hours playing football with the radio in my window listening to countless games. Was it as magical as he described? Could I really be interning the stadium where Johnny majors, George Cafego, Condredge Holloway, etc, etc have played? I couldn't get inside quick enough but you couldn't push your way any faster. I could finally see the opening. As everyone parted left and right to go to their seats, I walked up to the rail and the site I saw was better than any picture I saw on TV or anything John Ward could describe. The usher asked if I needed help to my seat but I didn't. I just wanted to stare at the field. There I was watching the vols warm up. I moved left then went down the steps to my seat. As I walked down the stairs, I counted the numbers down. I finally made it to my row slid by people and there I was dead center of the field goals. It was 1982 and I watched a family friend, jimmy Colquit boom punts. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. Yes, I went to my first game by myself with a ticket my football coach gave me. Timed have changed and no way a parent would allow that happen today, but To be honest I wouldn't have any other way. To this day, I wouldn't trade a day in Neyland for anything.
 
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#30
#30
Manvol said:
I was 12 when I walked up the south ramp. It was shoulder to shoulder, but for me I was buried below everyone. All I new about Neyland stadium was the picture painted by John Ward. I had spent countless hours playing football with the radio in my window listening to countless games. Was it as magical as he described? Could I really be interning the stadium where Johnny majors, George Cafego, Condredge Holloway, etc, etc have played? I couldn't get inside quick enough but you couldn't push your way any faster. I could finally see the opening. As everyone parted left and right to go to their seats, I walked up to the rail and the site I saw was better than any picture I saw on TV or anything John Ward could describe. The usher asked if I needed help to my seat but I didn't. I just wanted to stare at the field. There I was watching the vols warm up. I moved left then went down the steps to my seat. As I walked down the stairs, I counted the numbers down. I finally made it to my row slid by people and there I was dead center of the field goals. It was 1982 and I watched a family friend, jimmy Colquit boom punts. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. Yes, I went to my first game by myself with a ticket my football coach gave me. Timed have changed and no way a parent would allow that happen today, but To be honest I wouldn't have any other way. To this day, I wouldn't trade a day in Neyland for anything.
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I think I would want to go alone as well. Just seems like I could take everything in and not have to worry about entertaining some chick.
 
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#32
#32
44 years since my first trip to Neyland and I still feel a rush when I walk into the open air and see the field, every time.
 
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#33
#33
The experience of a lifetime. I have been many times over the years, but my wife surprised me today with the valentines day gift of a Neyland Stadium tour! So amp'd to see the locker room and all! April can't get here soon enough!
 
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#34
#34
There's truly nothing in this world like emerging from the internal walkways and corridors into the open air of the stadium. It makes you want to laugh, cry, and holler at the top of your lungs all at the same time.

Man, what a great feeling. I can't wait to go back. Got me feeling some type of way now.
 
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#35
#35
I was five when I went to my first game. It was opening day, Majors was the coach and Andy Kelley was the QB. The Vols took it's usual 1st game cupcake to the woodshed. I will never forget it. Seeing the team run through the T still gives me chills. There is nothing like it.
 
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#36
#36
SDV said:
You haven't missed anything the last 13 years
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I can't agree. we went to the USC game last year and it was a great game. Your in for a treat . Get there for the Vol walk and watch them run threw the T and get ready for goose bumps.
 
#37
#37
Nationdom said:
I'm 24 and never been to Neyland or seen UT play a game. Feels real bad man. I've lived in Colorado since I was 6. I am moving back to Memphis soon so hopefully this is the year. How should I feel about this?
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1. More experienced folks than me will have better responses.
2. After decades of absence, I only returned to Neyland starting 2 years ago so my ignorance may show.
3. I'm trying to pass along some of the gracious kindness some VN folks here gave me a while back. That's when I was returning to Neyland after living out west and not having been to Knoxville since I was 17 years old. I'll always appreciate the help they gave me then and later on regarding seating in Neyland. So just pass the Vol goodness along when opportunity knocks for that.

Here's my take.
Arrive a day early to become physically aware of the free parking opportunities available for game day. My favorite spot is the garage next to Market Square. But there are other locations, get to know them in case you need to and how to get there swiftly, if you need to. Helps to have a parking map if you're not Knoxville smart: City of Knoxville - Map for UT Football Game Day Parking

Nevermind what time the game is, my advice is to be parked by 7AM, well before parking spaces fill up. By that time breakfast joints are opening. My favorite is Pete's. But be there when they open because the place is sort of tiny and due to good food, fills up fast.

Use your map to take a walking tour of the town, areas around your parking area, alternate paths to the UT, and basically get to know the streets. Walk the river front. Most boaters will chat with you and likely give you tips. If you eat dinner at Calhoun's having walked there is an advantage as parking gets tight once customers start coming in numbers. With a car, getting in and out is a royal mess.

2 hours before game time, swim through the campus. I say swim because it's so crowded sardines in a can have more room. Take in the Vol walk. Enjoy the sheer sight of a massive, undulating, noisy, and rather friendly crowd flooding the area around Neyland.

If you're not Neyland smart, find your seat early so you know where it is. Then spend some time crowd swimming inside the food vendor area to get to know what's being sold as food so you know what you want to buy when you get hungry during half time or something. But don't miss the band's performance or the Vols running through the "T" or you'll hate yourself. Enjoy the game despite the silly outdated wave thing Vols fans do. It will be one h3ll of a first time you won't forget. Vols forever!!!!

Hope this is helpful. :hi:
 
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#38
#38
I went to Neyland for the first time this year. We moved to the Knoxville area (from DFW) a little over four years ago and never felt the need to go, given the state of the program. My daughter, who attended TCU, and is a huge CB football fan, tells me last summer she wants to see her first SEC game, and picks Tennessee vs. South Carolina. Wow, what a game day experience, and what a game! I look forward to that day when A&M comes to town...I'll be there!:thumbsup:
 
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#39
#39
orangeslice13 said:
Giddy with the thoughts of what it will be like.
You just can't imagine.



imager.gif
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So you attach a gif of UF's stadium? Come on, MAN!

OP, get to a game but make a big game like Bama or UGA. You've got to go when it's loud and full. It's a completely different atmosphere than when they'll play UTC.
 
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#41
#41
Boca Vol said:
So you attach a gif of UF's stadium? Come on, MAN!

OP, get to a game but make a big game like Bama or UGA. You've got to go when it's loud and full. It's a completely different atmosphere than when they'll play UTC.
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That gif shows how I feel when My University Football team takes the feild. I'm sorry people like you exist to call yorself Vol fans. Did you really just suggest to a guy who has never been there shouldn't go to a game. Maybe garbage fans like you are the reason it is not rocking for UTc. Do us all a favor and stay home. Always.

OP, get there when you can as often as you can. It is the greatest place on Earth.
 
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#42
#42
orangeslice13 said:
That gif shows how I feel when My University Football team takes the feild. I'm sorry people like you exist to call yorself Vol fans. Did you really just suggest to a guy who has never been there shouldn't go to a game. Maybe garbage fans like you are the reason it is not rocking for UTc. Do us all a favor and stay home. Always.

OP, get there when you can as often as you can. It is the greatest place on Earth.
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Slice lowering the boom, ladies and gentlemen.

OP- I was 40 when I made my first trip to Neyland and it was almost a religious experience for me. If you have seen the movie Rudy and recall his father's reaction upon entering ND's stadium, well that was me.
 
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#43
#43
I remember my first experience in Neyland, it was UT vs. LSU in 2006. Even though we got beat it was still the most exciting thing I had ever seen in my life! You will enjoy!!:rock2:
 
#44
#44
Nationdom said:
I'm 24 and never been to Neyland or seen UT play a game. Feels real bad man. I've lived in Colorado since I was 6. I am moving back to Memphis soon so hopefully this is the year. How should I feel about this?
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Goose bumps.. It's the best place in the world to watch a game (if you are for Rocky top)

BUTCH JONES THANKS THE FANS on Vimeo
 
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#45
#45
Nationdom said:
I'm 24 and never been to Neyland or seen UT play a game. Feels real bad man. I've lived in Colorado since I was 6. I am moving back to Memphis soon so hopefully this is the year. How should I feel about this?
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If you have to choose 1 game to come to, make it the Florida game. Come early, like be parked at least 3 hours before kick off to enjoy the pre game stuff, like the tail gating, the Vol walk, the Band and so on. Don't worry so much about where your seats will be. For your first game, if you are there for that game the intensity will be over the top. You will actually know what 102,455 FEELS LIKE! The stadium actually vibrates.. from the yelling! There is nothing to describe it, you just have to experience it. Nothing against any of the other games, I will be at them all. It's just there seems to be more energy at that one.
 
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#46
#46
nc vol fan said:
If you have to choose 1 game to come to, make it the Florida game. Come early, like be parked at least 3 hours before kick off to enjoy the pre game stuff, like the tail gating, the Vol walk, the Band and so on. Don't worry so much about where your seats will be. For your first game, if you are there for that game the intensity will be over the top. You will actually know what 102,455 FEELS LIKE! The stadium actually vibrates.. from the yelling! There is nothing to describe it, you just have to experience it. Nothing against any of the other games, I will be at them all. It's just there seems to be more energy at that one.
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This.
I was at the Florida game the year before last and it was unbelievable. My 12 year old son was with me and has never witnessed what Tennessee football was all about at its zenith. The place was literally rocking as the game began. Deafening. The stadium vibrating beneath our feet. I looked over at my son and he had an almost scared look on his face. I asked him was he alright and I will never forget his response, "I'm kind of scared, Dad, but I love it!"
Nothing beats Neyland!
 
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#47
#47
Parking at the Civic auditorium and riding the bus is helpful for big games. Try to come early to make the Vol Walk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfAPHN2ybBE

After VOL walk, UT Band marches into the stadium, then we all follow them in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqH1pegUBBo


Don't forget the pregame festivities--the band warming up the crowd and running through the T makes the experience even better--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZsO1NpwM1w

Night games tend to have the most energy, unless we are playing a major rival. It doesn't matter, any of them are great, though.
 
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#49
#49
orangeslice13 said:
That gif shows how I feel when My University Football team takes the feild. I'm sorry people like you exist to call yorself Vol fans. Did you really just suggest to a guy who has never been there shouldn't go to a game. Maybe garbage fans like you are the reason it is not rocking for UTc. Do us all a favor and stay home. Always.

OP, get there when you can as often as you can. It is the greatest place on Earth.
Click to expand...


Sonic Boom!

OP, go to ANY game you can. Enjoy the experience every time. You will be amongst thousands of friends.
 
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#50
#50
There's nothing like the feeling of walking through the gate and looking down on the field. If you're a true vols fan, it's pure happiness.
 
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