2025 West Lot/Selection date and times UPDATED

[Consigliere]

The problem there is neither location is large enough to support that type of overflow crowd from the displaced tailgaters. And even if that can be managed, which is doubtful, you still need parking for all of those people. Where are they finding that? Over the next few years, someone at SU needs to get creative and come up with a solution for adequate parking and tailgating. I know that’s asking a bit much for a school that rarely has been able to address it properly. Keep in mind, this is now an issue at a stadium that has reduced its seating by almost 10k seats for football and a part of that for basketball. Imagine if the football team was on an upward swing playing in a Dome with its former seating allotment. There’s a number of schools across the country — Ohio State and Tennessee come to mind, among others — with large stadiums that manage to handle massive crowds in a tight, urban setting. SU has it pretty easy by comparison. A study needs to be done because its too important and there’s too much at stake.

Texted this to a small group this morning, but given some posts in this thread, I thought I would share. Unfortunately I don’t know that I have the connections that would jump start the process any longer, but would jump in with both feet!

“
Would love to see Council foster a Tailgating Task Force to build a comprehensive plan designed to enhance the tailgate culture at SU.

A group that meets outside of regular Council schedule comprised of current and former members and facilitated by a non SU employee, but with a high level Athletic Department representative as executive sponsor so ideas can be elevated to the proper level.

I get the sense that there are those who realize the benefits of the activity - how it increases interest and attendance and helps cultivate the casual fan into the hard core fanatic - but don't have the bandwidth to devote to creative problem solving. Wish I would have spun this off from the task force approach we used at one point in Council. Those were far and away the most productive sessions we had in my seven years. ”

 

[Chip]

The problem there is neither location is large enough to support that type of overflow crowd from the displaced tailgaters. And even if that can be managed, which is doubtful, you still need parking for all of those people. Where are they finding that? Over the next few years, someone at SU needs to get creative and come up with a solution for adequate parking and tailgating. I know that’s asking a bit much for a school that rarely has been able to address it properly. Keep in mind, this is now an issue at a stadium that has reduced its seating by almost 10k seats for football and a part of that for basketball. Imagine if the football team was on an upward swing playing in a Dome with its former seating allotment. There’s a number of schools across the country — Ohio State and Tennessee come to mind, among others — with large stadiums that manage to handle massive crowds in a tight, urban setting. SU has it pretty easy by comparison. A study needs to be done because its too important and there’s too much at stake.

Couple things, because I'm hoping you guys don't give up season tickets. Always good to run into you the night before a game at Kitty Hoynes.

1. No sense worrying about our former capacity, because it's not coming back. We're a 35k to 38k crowd now.
2. The 81 construction is going to make things tough for a couple of years, but maybe that comes with better solutions. Not under the university's control, but maybe they and the city are able to come together on something that improves parking west of the Dome.
3. Knoxville isn't a great comparison. For one thing, it's all flat, so a lot of people walk a pretty good distance. And from my experience there, parking was a free for all. People sprawled out at gas pumps, tailgating. It was wild.
4. If you are getting there 4 hours before the game, you can get any pay lot you want north of the Dome. I know it's not ideal because you have to bring stuff to the tailgate, but you could even drop it off and then make your brother take the car to University and Adams and walk back. About 3/4 of a mile.

I hope you and others ride it out. It's inconvenient, but the combination of construction and the pay for play era was going to lead to some changes. As Jake said, good problem to have that we didn't have to worry about when GRob was the coach.

And I do agree that the university could have messaged this and asked for patience given the situation with 81.

 

[cuseguy]

There more than enough parking, just not steps away from the dome.

There are more than enough spaces within a 25 minute walk.

I’m talking about once they build on the West lots. And if there’s plenty of parking, why not use it for parking and tailgating now?

 

[javadoc]

Texted this to a small group this morning, but given some posts in this thread, I thought I would share. Unfortunately I don’t know that I have the connections that would jump start the process any longer, but would jump in with both feet!

“
Would love to see Council foster a Tailgating Task Force to build a comprehensive plan designed to enhance the tailgate culture at SU.

A group that meets outside of regular Council schedule comprised of current and former members and facilitated by a non SU employee, but with a high level Athletic Department representative as executive sponsor so ideas can be elevated to the proper level.

I get the sense that there are those who realize the benefits of the activity - how it increases interest and attendance and helps cultivate the casual fan into the hard core fanatic - but don't have the bandwidth to devote to creative problem solving. Wish I would have spun this off from the task force approach we used at one point in Council. Those were far and away the most productive sessions we had in my seven years. ”

So are all the west lots going to be built over at some point? Inevitable?

I'd reserve one lot for regular parking... and tailgating during football season. Have the school manage a registry of official groups for the hardest-core folks. You register your group, approximate size, whatever. And then one or two vehicles from your group are allowed to park there with gear & such. Have actual passes to get into the lot. And because only a couple vehicles per tailgate, shouldn't be a ton of traffic getting in.

Maybe each group needs to sponsor a player with an NIL deal.

The fee for the group would be higher than a plain parking pass, but not unreasonable.

Everyone else parks wherever, catches a bus or walks to the lot well in advance. Getting back to the actual parking could be tricky if there is an extended after-game celebration. But then maybe part of the deal is that activities can go 2 hours after the game, then the lot closes, and the school has a couple buses or whatever to take folks back to the regular parking location.

 

[UnknownOrange]

it shouldn't surprise me that the absolutely dying mall isn't trying to get creative with the giant parking lots they control, just 3 miles from the Dome.

Shuttling stinks (IMO) but its a few minutes further than Skytop, but MUCH easier to get out of + the "benefit" of having the hotel, shops, bars, restaurants all right there

 

[cuseguy]

Couple things, because I'm hoping you guys don't give up season tickets. Always good to run into you the night before a game at Kitty Hoynes.

1. No sense worrying about our former capacity, because it's not coming back. We're a 35k to 38k crowd now.
2. The 81 construction is going to make things tough for a couple of years, but maybe that comes with better solutions. Not under the university's control, but maybe they and the city are able to come together on something that improves parking west of the Dome.
3. Knoxville isn't a great comparison. For one thing, it's all flat, so a lot of people walk a pretty good distance. And from my experience there, parking was a free for all. People sprawled out at gas pumps, tailgating. It was wild.
4. If you are getting there 4 hours before the game, you can get any pay lot you want north of the Dome. I know it's not ideal because you have to bring stuff to the tailgate, but you could even drop it off and then make your brother take the car to University and Adams and walk back. About 3/4 of a mile.

I hope you and others ride it out. It's inconvenient, but the combination of construction and the pay for play era was going to lead to some changes. As Jake said, good problem to have that we didn't have to worry about when GRob was the coach.

And I do agree that the university could have messaged this and asked for patience given the situation with 81.

Always enjoy seeing you as well, Chip. Still a Cape May regular?

Anyway, we’re signed up now for the VA garage. We were bumped from the West lot. We’ll want to make the most of the VA garage. So being allowed to enter there 3-4 hours before a game is essential so we can walk over to the West lot. As we get older, you want these things be easier, not harder. The 5 hour drive is enough of a pain.

 

[David321]

So are all the west lots going to be built over at some point? Inevitable?

I'd reserve one lot for regular parking... and tailgating during football season. Have the school manage a registry of official groups for the hardest-core folks. You register your group, approximate size, whatever. And then one or two vehicles from your group are allowed to park there with gear & such. Have actual passes to get into the lot. And because only a couple vehicles per tailgate, shouldn't be a ton of traffic getting in.

Maybe each group needs to sponsor a player with an NIL deal.

The fee for the group would be higher than a plain parking pass, but not unreasonable.

Everyone else parks wherever, catches a bus or walks to the lot well in advance. Getting back to the actual parking could be tricky if there is an extended after-game celebration. But then maybe part of the deal is that activities can go 2 hours after the game, then the lot closes, and the school has a couple buses or whatever to take folks back to the regular parking location.

Seems like an awful lot of trouble just to avoid shuttle buses.

 

[javadoc]

Seems like an awful lot of trouble just to avoid shuttle buses.

You can't set up a tailgate in a west lot riding shuttle buses there, even if most of the attendees ride shuttles to that lot.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

Decided not to purchase parking. My preferred lot is sold out and others nearby are as well. The two Friday night games we may not make or will not have time to tailgate so parking in a garage is fine. There's another game i know i cannot make. Paying full freight for a lot I don't really want for UConn, Duke, and BC doesn't seem worth it. I'll just grab second hand passes.

 

[Newhouser]

Seems like an awful lot of trouble just to avoid shuttle buses.

That is it in a nutshell - nobody has any faith that the school can effectively execute a shuttling plan that would mitigate a lot of this stress. Shuttling is done everywhere, SU just hasn't proven they can do it properly, and I for one don't see that changing.

 

[David321]

You can't set up a tailgate in a west lot riding shuttle buses there, even if most of the attendees ride shuttles to that lot.

I don't think you understand what I'm saying, move the tailgate to Manley or Skytop and then just shuttle over to the Dome. You'll never have to worry about parking again. No one wants to hear this but it's the easiest, most effective, and future proof plan.

 

[JRHEETER]

That is it in a nutshell - nobody has any faith that the school can effectively execute a shuttling plan that would mitigate a lot of this stress. Shuttling is done everywhere, SU just hasn't proven they can do it properly, and I for one don't see that changing.

Its been so bad, that theyve left their own workers stranded at the Dome after games before...


If SU cant even handle its employees how can they handle THOUSANDS of fans.

 

[JRHEETER]

I don't think you understand what I'm saying, move the tailgate to Manley or Skytop and then just shuttle over to the Dome. You'll never have to worry about parking again. No one wants to hear this but it's the easiest, most effective, and future proof plan.

Why should we suddenly have to change after being there for 20+ years? Most of the people in the tailgate donate THOUSANDS of dollars every single year to the university. And we have proved our loyalty

Quite frankly if it wasnt for the hardcore people that attend the tailgates that are closest to the Dome the athletic department at Syracuse University would be in trouble.

Where is the loyalty from Syracuse University to us?

 

[richmondcuse03]

I don't think you understand what I'm saying, move the tailgate to Manley or Skytop and then just shuttle over to the Dome. You'll never have to worry about parking again. No one wants to hear this but it's the easiest, most effective, and future proof plan.

this is in fact the obvious solution, but the school needs to acknowledge they're working on improving it as they displace more folks to south. It's fear and change -- people hate both. I mean the football team was lousy for so long, the tailgating for many was the only enjoyable experience. And we honestly dont have that many big tailgates to accommodate. They could make some special fixes here.

 

[David321]

Why should we suddenly have to change after being there for 20+ years? Most of the people in the tailgate donate THOUSANDS of dollars every single year to the university. And we have proved our loyalty

Quite frankly if it wasnt for the hardcore people that attend the tailgates that are closest to the Dome the athletic department at Syracuse University would be in trouble.

Where is the loyalty from Syracuse University to us?

I don't think that you guys should have to move, and you know that. I've said so several times. But some of you guys have gone as far as to say you'll stop buying tickets, rather die etc. Logically I think I've offered a reasonable solution to keep you all together.

 

[javadoc]

I don't think you understand what I'm saying, move the tailgate to Manley or Skytop and then just shuttle over to the Dome. You'll never have to worry about parking again. No one wants to hear this but it's the easiest, most effective, and future proof plan.

Gotcha, yes that is one possibility. I think tailgating in the vicinity of the Dome increases the atmosphere, and possibly the chances of having your sponsored player show up at the tailgate. The after-game could be an issue with a shuttle ride, depending on the efficiency of the setup. It's great to walk down the hill 5 minutes after the game and have the gang all there. How long would it take to re-assemble the group at a remote lot via a potentially clogged shuttle system? Yeah, it'd work, but somewhat of a buzzkill.

I've done some big walks at Auburn and Clemson and LSU from tailgates on the periphery, so I'm not opposed to it in principle. But even there you have some folks close in. We should have the same support for the core group of fanatics.

 

[David321]

Gotcha, yes that is one possibility. I think tailgating in the vicinity of the Dome increases the atmosphere, and possibly the chances of having your sponsored player show up at the tailgate. The after-game could be an issue with a shuttle ride, depending on the efficiency of the setup. It's great to walk down the hill 5 minutes after the game and have the gang all there. How long would it take to re-assemble the group at a remote lot via a potentially clogged shuttle system? Yeah, it'd work, but somewhat of a buzzkill.

I've done some big walks at Auburn and Clemson and LSU from tailgates on the periphery, so I'm not opposed to it in principle. But even there you have some folks close in. We should have the same support for the core group of fanatics.

I'm going to be honest with you, my wife and I have taken the shuttle bus to and from every game for the last three seasons (we walked a couple times too). Never once had a problem. Only negative is waiting in line after the game to ride back.

People complaining about the shuttles are a head scratcher to me as I think SU does a good job with it. Just calling it like I see it, and trying to offer some constructive ideas. At the end of the day I'm in a different tailgate group than you guys but I think you guys have options that you're not seriously considering.

And yes I think it's complete BS that you're all having to deal with this.

 

[JRHEETER]

I don't think that you guys should have to move, and you know that. I've said so several times. But some of you guys have gone as far as to say you'll stop buying tickets, rather die etc. Logically I think I've offered a reasonable solution to keep you all together.

I would stop buying tickets as well.

I go to the games for the experience. The experience includes tailgating.

If you are going to take away the tailgating tradition that has been fostered, I would rather sit at home and watch the game on my 65" tv. It would save me $$$$$ and I wouldnt have to be as committed.

I think we just want Syracuse to be as committed to the fans as the fans are to them. And I think many are starting to feel the commitment is not there from the University and therefore why should they continued to be committed to the University?

 

[ChrisCourt]

I’m talking about once they build on the West lots. And if there’s plenty of parking, why not use it for parking and tailgating now

SU is not building anything on the West Lots. I work down at CPDC, and verified this.

 

[ChrisCourt]

I would stop buying tickets as well.

I go to the games for the experience. The experience includes tailgating.

If you are going to take away the tailgating tradition that has been fostered, I would rather sit at home and watch the game on my 65" tv. It would save me $$$$$ and I wouldnt have to be as committed.

I think we just want Syracuse to be as committed to the fans as the fans are to them. And I think many are starting to feel the commitment is not there from the University and therefore why should they continued to be committed to the University?

Well said!

 

[JRHEETER]

I'm going to be honest with you, my wife and I have taken the shuttle bus to and from every game for the last three seasons (we walked a couple times too). Never once had a problem. Only negative is waiting in line after the game to ride back.

People complaining about the shuttles are a head scratcher to me as I think SU does a good job with it. Just calling it like I see it, and trying to offer some constructive ideas. At the end of the day I'm in a different tailgate group than you guys but I think you guys have options that you're not seriously considering.

And yes I think it's complete BS that you're all having to deal with this.

How many away games at other schools have you attended?

Many of us complaining have attended a lot of games at a lot of other places and why we are calling Syracuse out.

 

[cuseguy]

I don't think that you guys should have to move, and you know that. I've said so several times. But some of you guys have gone as far as to say you'll stop buying tickets, rather die etc. Logically I think I've offered a reasonable solution to keep you all together.

Some people have been able to keep their West Lot passes. Many have not. I’m one of them. Hence the cry to drop my season tickers and stop giving money to the school. The people who still have passes aren’t leaving until they’re forced out.

 

[David321]

How many away games at other schools have you attended?

Many of us complaining have attended a lot of games at a lot of other places and why we are calling Syracuse out.

I've admittedly never been to a road game before, closest was neutral site at Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl. I know you guys have all been fans way longer than me, have suffered through way more than me, and know a lot more than me. And I respect you guys for it, seriously.

But I'd hate to see you guys just disintegrate and stop going to games. Which is why I'm trying to offer solutions .

 

[JeremyCuse]

So are all the west lots going to be built over at some point? Inevitable?

I'd reserve one lot for regular parking... and tailgating during football season. Have the school manage a registry of official groups for the hardest-core folks. You register your group, approximate size, whatever. And then one or two vehicles from your group are allowed to park there with gear & such. Have actual passes to get into the lot. And because only a couple vehicles per tailgate, shouldn't be a ton of traffic getting in.

Maybe each group needs to sponsor a player with an NIL deal.

The fee for the group would be higher than a plain parking pass, but not unreasonable.

Everyone else parks wherever, catches a bus or walks to the lot well in advance. Getting back to the actual parking could be tricky if there is an extended after-game celebration. But then maybe part of the deal is that activities can go 2 hours after the game, then the lot closes, and the school has a couple buses or whatever to take folks back to the regular parking location.

West lots have been mentioned multiple times in a grand future remodel for SU but logistically its' unlikely they are going anywhere in our lifetimes. The Standart lot is a split between SU and ESF for regular use so that's not going anywhere. RAY is necessary for the law school and the Dorm along with SU employees so that's not going anywhere. The only lot that they could take would be fine/Henry but it would make little sense as it's not a large lot and they utilize that for Law Dorm parking currently.

 

[JRHEETER]

I've admittedly never been to a road game before, closest was neutral site at Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl. I know you guys have all been fans way longer than me, have suffered through way more than me, and know a lot more than me. And I respect you guys for it, seriously.

But I'd hate to see you guys just disintegrate and stop going to games. Which is why I'm trying to offer solutions .

Appreciate your suggestions, but if the Fine Mess tailgate is forced out of the West Lot and a more reasonable solution from Syracuse University is not brought to us, I fear it may be the end of that tailgate.

And with the end of that tailgate Syracuse will lose some season ticket holders and a good chunk of donated $$$$