Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium

Official Review by Tige Hutcheson, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

In Iowa, football is king and Jack Trice Stadium is one of its palaces. For most of Iowa outside of Ames and the Des Moines area, the Iowa State Cyclones are the state's second team, with most of the state embracing the Iowa Hawkeyes and Kinnick Stadium for their football of choice. And Kinnick is awesome, don't get me wrong, but Jack Trice Stadium, the home of Iowa State Cyclone football, has a certain attitude about it that makes it very hard not to like, especially if you're a football fan. If you're a college football fan, I caution you not to dismiss Jack Trice Stadium, because Cyclone fans are among the most close-knit and loyal around, and it all starts inside the walls of Jack Trice Stadium.

Food & Beverage    3

As one worker put it "We pretty much just have the regular stuff." While most of the menus feature classic selections such as cheeseburgers ($6), hotdogs ($4), walking tacos ($6), and nachos ($4), there are still some interesting options when it comes to dining at Jack Trice Stadium. My favorite, the Homegrown Grill, offers items like BBQ beef brisket sandwiches ($7), grilled chicken breast sandwiches ($6.50), veggie chopped salads ($7), the delicious Three Way Pork Burger ($6.50), and of course, roasted corn on the cob, Iowa's specialty, for $4.

Another option is the Iowa State Fair concession stands, featuring BBQ pork nachos ($7.50), BBQ pulled pork sandwiches ($6), Johnsonville bratwurst ($5), and "Cy Fry Bread" ($5.50), while Clones Grill on the Double features options such as Tenders & Cy Tots with BBQ dipping sauce ($7.50), buffalo chicken tender sandwiches ($7.50), funnel fry dippers with chocolate dipping sauce ($5.50), bottomless souvenir popcorn ($5.50), and Philly or chicken cheese steaks for $7.50.

Since Jack Trice Stadium is primarily used to host Iowa State athletic events, there is no alcohol sold on stadium grounds, but with all of the tailgating going on just outside of stadium grounds, you shouldn't have much problem finding your choice of alcohol if you have your heart set on it. The beverages sold on stadium grounds include soda ($6 bottomless or $4 regular), State Fair Lemonade ($5 for your first jug with $4 refills), and freshly brewed coffee for just $3.50.

Atmosphere    5

The atmosphere is the result of Iowa State's proud fans combined with history and determination. Jack Trice was the first African-American athlete at Iowa State University, but died tragically from injuries acquired in an October 1923 football game against Minnesota. Iowa State University named the football field after Trice in 1984, and dedicated the entire stadium in Trice's honor in 1997, preserving the promise and legacy of Iowa State University's most influential student athletes.

It's only fitting that the stadium was named after Trice since Iowa State fans do such a fantastic job of getting behind and supporting their athletes, giving extra meaning to the stadium's name and giving a certain authenticity to Jack Trice Stadium that's hard to describe, but impossible to deny.

The layout of the stadium, with hillside seating in all four corners, practically dares you to connect with the people next to you and become a part of the crowd. The stadium is beautiful, the crowds are proud, and Jack Trice Stadium is simply a great place to experience a college football game.

Neighborhood    2

Iowa State University is primarily an agricultural studies school, so it shouldn't surprise you that there really is no neighborhood surrounding Jack Trice Stadium. Located on the East side of campus, the area surrounding Jack Trice Stadium, other than the occasional frat house, is wide open space that, if I had to guess, will someday be used for a university development or athletic structure.

There are no bars, restaurants, or clubs surrounding Jack Trice Stadium, and ordinarily this would be kind of sad and pathetic. However, with Jack Trice Stadium, an exception can be made due to the ridiculous number of tailgaters and pre-game parties that are packed onto the surrounding grounds before and after games. Sure, a bar or restaurant might be nice, but that would take away space that could be used for tailgating, and trust me when I say that Iowa State fans use every square inch that's available. Want to get something to eat or drink after the game? You don't need a bar. As long as you're wearing cardinal and gold the fans are welcoming and you shouldn't have to work too hard to appease your appetite. But if you're determined to find a bar or restaurant before or after the game, Ames is a well-developed city that will give you plenty of options as long as you don't mind hopping in the car.

Fans    5

The Cyclones haven't won more than seven games in a season since 2000, yet Jack Trice Stadium always ends up crammed full of cardinal and gold-clad fans that refuse to stop believing that "this is the year". Cyclone fans are loyal to one another and will be happy to talk with you about the game, answer your questions, or even let you in on the tailgating festivities as long as you're not directly representing the opposing team or the Iowa Hawkeyes in any way.

Fans at Jack Trice Stadium are knowledgeable about the game of football and have well thought-out opinions about the past, present, and future of Iowa State University football and the Big 12 Conference, and they're happy to share them with you. It takes a certain kind of fan following to become a true part of the on-field product, and the Cyclone Nation has nailed it; you cannot separate the two. For what Jack Trice Stadium lacks in funding, luxury, and national popularity it more than makes up for with its cult-like fans and local pride.

Access    4

I said earlier that the neighborhood-or lack thereof- surrounding Jack Trice Stadium, while a little barren, is supportive of the stadium in a lot of ways. The biggest plus is the ease of tailgating, which is a direct result of Jack Trice Stadium's myriad of parking options near the venue. And even though you're more than likely have to pay a little bit, you shouldn't have any trouble at least finding a spot that's an appropriate walking distance from the stadium.

The inside of the stadium actually has kind of a nice flow to it with many entry and exit points to and from all seating areas. Access to bathrooms and concessions is a non-issue. In fact, whether due to the stadium layout or just the competency of the staff, the lines are almost always short and you won't even have to wait very long once you get there.

Return on Investment    4

If you're looking for the cheapest tickets available, you can buy a hillside seating ticket for around $10, get into the stadium and then move around. The hillside seats aren't bad though, especially if you remember to bring a blanket or something to sit on, so really $10 can be expected to get you a pretty decent seat at a pretty unbeatable price. As you move up into the stands and down towards the field the tickets get more expensive of course (most will still only run you $30-$60), but they'll still cost you less than most of the other stadiums in the Big 12.

If you play your cards right, you can also get a free meal outside the stadium walls from the tailgating scene, and even free parking if you know the right street and get there early enough. If push comes to shove though, food inside the park is priced about where you would expect for a college football game (pretty expensive yet comparable to the rest) and parking shouldn't burn too big of a hole in your wallet. Even in the worst case scenario, the cost of a trip to Jack Trice Stadium is pretty affordable, especially considering the quality of the atmosphere and event. You should walk away feeling pretty good about the investment you made and walk away having gotten a little more out of it than you expected.

Extras    5

2011 is the debut of a brand new scoreboard/video board and sound system in Jack Trice Stadium and when you put the two together they really enhance the experience. The picture on the video board is fantastic and the sound system allows you to hear the announcer clear as day. It couldn't have been cheap, but the new scoreboard/video board and sound system definitely make a huge difference for the fans, and for that the Cyclones deserve big points.

The Jacobsen Building on the North side of Jack Trice Stadium is beautiful and a great feature for the athletes, coaches, fans, and the press. The Jacobsen Building serves as the administrative headquarters for the ISU athletic department, but it is also used as a bandstand during games which puts the Cyclone Marching Band at a unique focal point for the fans and really makes them stick out more so than most other college marching bands you'll ever see.

Jack Trice Stadium also offers a "family fun" area by parking lot S-8 that is true to its word and does offer things for all ages to enjoy. Children can play on the inflatable playground and attractions, children and adults alike can meet Cy--Iowa State's cardinal mascot--or enjoy a variety of concession stands, and men can meet and daydream about the spirit squad who just happen to be hanging out in the area before home games.

The Jack Trice Stadium experience is also influenced positively by the staff members and gameday employees that you'll interact with while you're visiting. Staff members at Jack Trice Stadium are very welcoming, friendly, and cooperative from the bottom to the top of command, and especially since at times the emotion of college football games can get so intense, it's good to know that there are people in the stadium that are on your side and willing to help you out. And since most of the staff members are huge fans themselves, they want the same things that you do: a great game and an awesome experience.

Final Thoughts

There are no major league professional sports franchises in the state of Iowa, so when you go to a college athletic event, you know you're getting the best that the state has to offer. Like I said earlier, in Iowa, football is king, and Jack Trice Stadium is one of its palaces. The fans are awesome, the atmosphere is electric, and the facilities are seriously underrated. It's definitely worth your time to go and worship.