What it Takes to Make a Stadium One of Your Favorites (My Favorites)

[Texas Bob]

Everyone’s favorite stadium is usually based on the game(s) that they have experienced at a particular location.

• If you had a place to park and didn’t have engage your four wheel drive to get in and out;
• If the concessions stand line moves reasonably fast;
• If you don’t have to stand in line to get into the head;
• If from your seat you have a good sight line of the field and are not sitting next to band parents;
• If the condition of the field is not a factor in the wide receivers route selection;
• If the refs are not wearing your opponent’s team gimme hat before the game;

Then it’s all about the game.

The stadiums in which I’ve enjoyed the best High School Football games are:

• Badger Stadium - McCamey, Texas
• Ratliff Stadium – Odessa, Texas
• Rhodes Stadium – Katy, Texas
• Tully Stadium – Houston, Texas
• Gordon Wood Stadium – Brownwood, Texas
• Barrett Stadium – Odessa, Texas (gone)
• Astrodome – Houston, Texas (gone)

[KatyTigerDad0407]

• Tully Stadium – Houston, Texas

My Favorite. Besides the parking lot, you have extra options. Plenty of restaurants nearby. The band can march in and blast the opposing school's warm up. Not a bad seat in the place. It's just plain comfortable.

[SV61]

Tully is a good one, IF they fixed the "parking lots". Exit out of said lots can be a challenge also. The concession stands were not fast at all (but, I have only been there a few times). It reminds me of a smaller Alamo Stadium. And THAT'S a good thing. Read on.

To me, Alamo Stadium is a REALLY cool place to watch a Friday night game. The epitome of HS Football. People will argue how lo tech it is, how it is in need of maintenance (Due to receive a $40 Mil facelift this year I think). But, being the size that it is (about 23K), WHERE it is (in a dished out spot just north of the SA Skyline), and the sightlines, it a pretty cool place.

Ratliff IS a good stadium experience. Lack of some handrails made ascending and descending somewhat of a challenge though. PLENTY of concessions and bathrooms. The Parking lot absolutely is the best for a HS stadium I have seen. AND, the best part? YOU CAN LEAVE THE STADIUM AT HALFTIME, AND RETURN WITHOUT BUYING ANOTHER TICKET. WHY is that not the norm?

SV Stadium really is pretty cool. Since the upgrades (bigger pressbox, more seating, better parking, upgraded video replay/scoreboard), I would put this stadium just below (overall quality) some of the bigger 5A stadiums in the area. Why below? The bathrooms still suck, and forget about the concession stand at halftime (even though they sell really good homemade burgers). Sittin down in the hills makes for a neat view also.

For their classification, the following stadiums are also nice.

Kerrville Tivy - As long as you don't bring a 5A crowd. The home side, being built into the side of the hill is interesting to look at. Decent concessions and facilities.

Comfort Stadium - Really good parking (and a new stadium) make this one of the nicest 2A stadiums I can recall. The home stands, are also built into a berm (I THINK is man made).

Fort Davis - Former 11 man field, now a 6 man field. Just the sense of being in West Texas, watching the sun set over a mountain to the West, gives this place a real unique feel. Also, burger, fries and a drink for $5.00? Sign me up.

Dub Farris - Northside School District: Newer breed of Stadium, well designed and laid out. NorthEast School Districts answer is Heroes Stadium. Heroes actually has the player emerge from underground, like a bunch of ants.

Waco ISD - To me, one of the best applications of total experience. Great sight lines, Video replays, Miked Officials, good seating.

[Texas Bob]

Tully is a good one, IF they fixed the "parking lots". Exit out of said lots can be a challenge also. The concession stands were not fast at all (but, I have only been there a few times). It reminds me of a smaller Alamo Stadium. And THAT'S a good thing. Read on.

Most improved with new ground level concessions and paved parking.

To me, Alamo Stadium is a REALLY cool place to watch a Friday night game. The epitome of HS Football. People will argue how lo tech it is, how it is in need of maintenance (Due to receive a $40 Mil facelift this year I think). But, being the size that it is (about 23K), WHERE it is (in a dished out spot just north of the SA Skyline), and the sightlines, it a pretty cool place.

With the remodel may drop to a capacity to 15,000 depending on the design plan.

Ratliff IS a good stadium experience. Lack of some handrails made ascending and descending somewhat of a challenge though. PLENTY of concessions and bathrooms. The Parking lot absolutely is the best for a HS stadium I have seen. AND, the best part? YOU CAN LEAVE THE STADIUM AT HALFTIME, AND RETURN WITHOUT BUYING ANOTHER TICKET. WHY is that not the norm?

The only stadium I've been to where the OHS or PHS does a little pregame show and plays the national anthem. Good place to be on Friday night if it is not too cold.

SV Stadium really is pretty cool. Since the upgrades (bigger pressbox, more seating, better parking, upgraded video replay/scoreboard), I would put this stadium just below (overall quality) some of the bigger 5A stadiums in the area. Why below? The bathrooms still suck, and forget about the concession stand at halftime (even though they sell really good homemade burgers). Sittin down in the hills makes for a neat view also.

For their classification, the following stadiums are also nice.

Kerrville Tivy - As long as you don't bring a 5A crowd. The home side, being built into the side of the hill is interesting to look at. Decent concessions and facilities.

Comfort Stadium - Really good parking (and a new stadium) make this one of the nicest 2A stadiums I can recall. The home stands, are also built into a berm (I THINK is man made).

Fort Davis - Former 11 man field, now a 6 man field. Just the sense of being in West Texas, watching the sun set over a mountain to the West, gives this place a real unique feel. Also, burger, fries and a drink for $5.00? Sign me up.

Almost any day in Fort Davis is a good day.

Dub Farris - Northside School District: Newer breed of Stadium, well designed and laid out. NorthEast School Districts answer is Heroes Stadium. Heroes actually has the player emerge from underground, like a bunch of ants.

Waco ISD - To me, one of the best applications of total experience. Great sight lines, Video replays, Miked Officials, good seating.

Rhodes Stadium in Katy and Rose Stadium in Tyler have the best video in High School stadiums. If anyone else bought and installed one of those monster, they can be added to this list.

[SV61]

Rhodes Stadium in Katy and Rose Stadium in Tyler have the best video in High School stadiums. If anyone else bought and installed one of those monster, they can be added to this list.

I have not seen Rhodes or Rose's video screen. I would like input as to how SV's new screen compares. It probably is not as big, but man is it bright.

[Texas Bob]

I have not seen Rhodes or Rose's video screen. I would like input as to how SV's new screen compares. It probably is not as big, but man is it bright.

[kool_kat]

I've been to alot of stadiums around the state. I really liked Waco ISD - saw Lufkin and Hays Consolidated.

Let me name some of the worst:
Dement Field - Galena Park ISD
Huntsville Hornets - Sam Houston University - opposing schools generally have to walk from the home side.
I like:
Cy-Fair schools stadiums - plenty of parking
Tully Stadium
Rose Stadium

[hunterbunter]

What about what they serve at the concession stands?

Turkey Legs
nachos
Frito pies
Pizza
Hot dogs
Fajita tacos
Sausage tacos
Hamburgers
Great American Cookie Co. Cookies
Funnel cakes

[SV61]

SV's looks like it is the same sized screen, but vertical instead of horizontal. In other words, Cut Katy's screen in half, and then stack it. the top screen is for replays, while the bottom screen is scoreboard.

[Texas Bob]

What about what they serve at the concession stands?

Turkey Legs
nachos
Frito pies
Pizza
Hot dogs
Fajita tacos
Sausage tacos
Hamburgers
Great American Cookie Co. Cookies
Funnel cakes

Concession are not that important to me but a few weeks ago I was at Crump, not one of my favorite stadiums, and it was 103F and they sell Blue Bell Ice Cream.

[ktCarl]

I've been to alot of stadiums around the state. I really liked Waco ISD - saw Lufkin and Hays Consolidated.

Let me name some of the worst:
Dement Field - Galena Park ISD
Huntsville Hornets - Sam Houston University - opposing schools generally have to walk from the home side.
I like:
Cy-Fair schools stadiums - plenty of parking
Tully Stadium
Rose Stadium

They serve Blue Bell at Waco ISD.