Skytop is dead

[Pyle]

Years of great tailgating and playing football with the kids in the grass it seems shall be no more. I was extremely disheartened to see the entire grassy area of Skytop torn up when we arrived last Sat. I asked and it's where the new track will be. Instead we were forced to park on the gravel and given about a 5x5 area to try to tailgate in. I realize SU needs a track, but it fails the fans again by removing what was easily one of the better tailgate spots on the campus.

 

[Ozcuse]

Yeah we got there early (11:30) and had to park in mud. We had always parked in the grass next to the treeline with about 10-12 other families and had a great tailgate. That place no longer exists.

Does the AD get together and purposely think of ways to try and diminish the football experience?

 

[shandeezy7]

Yeah we got there early (11:30) and had to park in mud. We had always parked in the grass next to the treeline with about 10-12 other families and had a great tailgate.

Does the AD get together and purposely think of ways to try and diminish the football experience?

No, I think the AD gets together and tries to extract the most $$$ they can, fans be damned.

 

[mvorange]

I agree. We had a pretty good spot last Saturday. It was immediately on the left as you entered. There was a grassy area but it was much smaller than we are used to and not a lot of space for the kids the run. That track is taking a lot of the good tailgating away. I wonder how the lot to the left of the booths is for tailgating. We searched for you last Sat. but didn't locate you.

 

[sabach]

Darn - I was planning on bring my son and his friends up there Saturday and they were looking forward to playing football as they always do. Did this just happen? I only go to Skytop twice a season (I usually park somewhere else) and the field was there for the Nova game.

 

[jekelish]

I get that it diminishes the fan experience for football, but you have to stop and realize that the athletics department is more concerned about enhancing the experience for ALL of its student-athletes (and as well they should be). Giving track athletes, well, a track, is more important than tailgating. And I love tailgating, believe me - but let's not pretend fans grilling and drinking beer before 5 or 6 home football games should EVER take priority over giving student-athletes the best possible experience.

I'm not sure what area you're talking about since I haven't been to Syracuse in about 5-6 years and wasn't up on Skytop at the time, but if this is such a great open area, then there's a reason they chose it for the track. You can park your car anywhere, the kids can't run track anywhere.

 

[Ozcuse]

I get that it diminishes the fan experience for football, but you have to stop and realize that the athletics department is more concerned about enhancing the experience for ALL of its student-athletes (and as well they should be). Giving track athletes, well, a track, is more important than tailgating. And I love tailgating, believe me - but let's not pretend fans grilling and drinking beer before 5 or 6 home football games should EVER take priority over giving student-athletes the best possible experience.

I'm not sure what area you're talking about since I haven't been to Syracuse in about 5-6 years and wasn't up on Skytop at the time, but if this is such a great open area, then there's a reason they chose it for the track. You can park your car anywhere, the kids can't run track anywhere.

I'm pretty sure the AD makes more money on $15 a car being parked at SkyTop in one game than the entire track & field program will generate.

They should focus on improving the atmosphere for MONEY GENERATING SPORTS. You know the ones that pay for things like track and field.

This year the only entertaining thing about home football games has been the tailgates since the games have been such train wrecks.

 

[Full_Rebar]

SU clearly needs a track since the indoor one at Manley doesn't work for the distance runners, sprinters, and certainly not for any field events. However, I would agree somewhat with those who question the location on Skytop. It appears to be another short-sighted decision by the SUAD once again.

We all know that Skytop is listed as a potential site for a new stadium/arena and it's certainly not beyond the realm of possiblility that in 10 years that track complex is taking up prime parking there. I know that SU doesn't want to get into another fight with the Meadowbrook neighbors, but I wonder if they looked into building a track on Hookway with the thought that it would could also be used by the community except for practice times?

 

[Orangello]

They had to put the track there as the current track was torn up for the IPF and that was the only footprint on south campus that provided enough space.

 

[sutomcat]

I get that it diminishes the fan experience for football, but you have to stop and realize that the athletics department is more concerned about enhancing the experience for ALL of its student-athletes (and as well they should be). Giving track athletes, well, a track, is more important than tailgating. And I love tailgating, believe me - but let's not pretend fans grilling and drinking beer before 5 or 6 home football games should EVER take priority over giving student-athletes the best possible experience.

I'm not sure what area you're talking about since I haven't been to Syracuse in about 5-6 years and wasn't up on Skytop at the time, but if this is such a great open area, then there's a reason they chose it for the track. You can park your car anywhere, the kids can't run track anywhere.

I agree, the university has to make the students and the athletic program a higher priority than low end supporters of the football program. Sorry for the loss of that area but what do you expect for the prices you have been paying? If you were paying $1000 a year to park there, this would be a different story...

Out of curiosity, where is the open area that was taken away? The area just below the phone number (near the top of the picture)?

There is a large open field in the lower right hand corner of this picture that is just off the access road. Might be perfect for tailgating. I wonder if the university owns it?

 

[44PRIDE]

Fans: ITS TOO EXPENSIVE TO TAKE MY FAMILY TO GAMES. THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SUCKS!

School: We will lower prices to make it more attractive to bring fans to the game. Does that work?

Fans: OUR TEAMS AREN'T COMPETITIVE! WE NEED FACILITIES UPGRADED TO BRING IN BETTER RECRUITS. THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SUCKS!

School: We hear you and will start upgrading the Dome, Locker Rooms, Manley and Practice Facilities. Does that work?

Fans: YOUR FACILITIES UPGRADES ARE INTERFERING WITH MY FAN EXPERIENCE. THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SUCKS!

 

[Millhouse]

it was my first time at skytop. i didn't want to risk one midget getting tired halfway up the hill. it was convenient. but if it's going to be a drab mess, there's not much reason to park there. if the school doesn't care if people use skytop or not, that's their prerogative. but if you want people parking far away from the dome, you need it to be a little more scenic

 

[jekelish]

I'm pretty sure the AD makes more money on $15 a car being parked at SkyTop in one game than the entire track & field program will generate.

They should focus on improving the atmosphere for MONEY GENERATING SPORTS. You know the ones that pay for things like track and field.

This year the only entertaining thing about home football games has been the tailgates since the games have been such train wrecks.

I hope you're joking. Because that's such a ridiculous statement it's absurd.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. COLLEGE ATHLETICS ARE ABOUT THE ATHLETES, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO A FEW HOME GAMES AND THAT'S IT.

Good lord, people. Get over yourselves.

"I'm slightly inconvenienced, the athletics department should care about ME, and not the hundreds of student-athletes who deserve every opportunity to have a great experience who don't play football!"

 

[Millhouse]

I hope you're joking. Because that's such a ridiculous statement it's absurd.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. COLLEGE ATHLETICS ARE ABOUT THE ATHLETES, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO A FEW HOME GAMES AND THAT'S IT.

Good lord, people. Get over yourselves.

no it's not

 

[shandeezy7]

I hope you're joking. Because that's such a ridiculous statement it's absurd.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. COLLEGE ATHLETICS ARE ABOUT THE ATHLETES, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO A FEW HOME GAMES AND THAT'S IT.

Good lord, people. Get over yourselves.

"I'm slightly inconvenienced, the athletics department should care about ME, and not the hundreds of student-athletes who deserve every opportunity to have a great experience who don't play football!"

Yes and no. College athletics would not exist without fans.

 

[jekelish]

Yes and no. College athletics would not exist without fans.

I'm telling you right now, it would. It just wouldn't be a giant money maker. It would be basically D3 everywhere.

High major D1 athletics? No, that would not exist without fans.

But the point I'm making is that it's incredibly selfish to want to dick over the non-football athletes because they took your favorite spot to drink beer. You can park your car and tailgate just about anywhere. You can't build a track anywhere you want.

 

[Millhouse]

I'm telling you right now, it would. It just wouldn't be a giant money maker. It would be basically D3 everywhere.

High major D1 athletics? No, that would not exist without fans.

But the point I'm making is that it's incredibly selfish to want to dick over the non-football athletes because they took your favorite spot to drink beer. You can park your car and tailgate just about anywhere. You can't build a track anywhere you want.

who pays for that track?

 

[jekelish]

who pays for that track?

I'm sure at least a good portion of it is donors.

 

[Pyle]

I agree, the university has to make the students and the athletic program a higher priority than low end supporters of the football program. Sorry for the loss of that area but what do you expect for the prices you have been paying? If you were paying $1000 a year to park there, this would be a different story...

Out of curiosity, where is the open area that was taken away? The area just below the phone number (near the top of the picture)?

There is a large open field in the lower right hand corner of this picture that is just off the access road. Might be perfect for tailgating. I wonder if the university owns it?

View attachment 29629

Fans: ITS TOO EXPENSIVE TO TAKE MY FAMILY TO GAMES. THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SUCKS!

School: We will lower prices to make it more attractive to bring fans to the game. Does that work?

Fans: OUR TEAMS AREN'T COMPETITIVE! WE NEED FACILITIES UPGRADED TO BRING IN BETTER RECRUITS. THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SUCKS!

School: We hear you and will start upgrading the Dome, Locker Rooms, Manley and Practice Facilities. Does that work?

Fans: YOUR FACILITIES UPGRADES ARE INTERFERING WITH MY FAN EXPERIENCE. THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SUCKS!

I hope you're joking. Because that's such a ridiculous statement it's absurd.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. COLLEGE ATHLETICS ARE ABOUT THE ATHLETES, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO A FEW HOME GAMES AND THAT'S IT.

Good lord, people. Get over yourselves.

"I'm slightly inconvenienced, the athletics department should care about ME, and not the hundreds of student-athletes who deserve every opportunity to have a great experience who don't play football!"

Holy Crap guys chill out. It was a prime tailgaiting location. Theres a reason people got there 3-4 hours early to claim the spots up front. I wonder what would happen if they took away your Fine lot and put you guys in a bunch of mud and gravel. I understand the need for a track. I get that the Student-Athletes take priority, it still sucks that they killed one of the best family locations for tailgating. It's the only grassy area I know of. The kids loved it. I wasn't calling for Gross' head because of it though. You can all step off your soap boxes now.

 

[Ozcuse]

I agree, the university has to make the students and the athletic program a higher priority than low end supporters of the football program. Sorry for the loss of that area but what do you expect for the prices you have been paying? If you were paying $1000 a year to park there, this would be a different story...

Out of curiosity, where is the open area that was taken away? The area just below the phone number (near the top of the picture)?

There is a large open field in the lower right hand corner of this picture that is just off the access road. Might be perfect for tailgating. I wonder if the university owns it?

View attachment 29629

No, you're off on where this happened. The spot removed is in the picture below. It supported about 300-400 cars and in my opinion was the prime tailgating spot at SkyTop. That's a conservative parking loss estimate too, they may have to put in roads/curbs there as well as seating further wiping out parking. The field you point out is on a hill that wouldn't work without a lot of money and you would lose a lot having to either build a 20' retaining wall or terrace the lots. I believe it's being farmed right now.

 

[jekelish]

Holy Crap guys chill out. It was a prime tailgaiting location. Theres a reason people got there 3-4 hours early to claim the spots up front. I wonder what would happen if they took away your Fine lot and put you guys in a bunch of mud and gravel. I understand the need for a track. I get that the Student-Athletes take priority, it still sucks that they killed one of the best family locations for tailgating. It's the only grassy area I know of. The kids loved it. I wasn't calling for Gross' head because of it though. You can all step off your soap boxes now.

Thank you for the very reasonable reply. I'm not being sarcastic, I'm honestly glad to see that you get it, and I see that you were truly just disappointed in losing a good spot but understand everything behind it.

 

[Ozcuse]

Holy Crap guys chill out. It was a prime tailgaiting location. Theres a reason people got there 3-4 hours early to claim the spots up front. I wonder what would happen if they took away your Fine lot and put you guys in a bunch of mud and gravel. I understand the need for a track. I get that the Student-Athletes take priority, it still sucks that they killed one of the best family locations for tailgating. It's the only grassy area I know of. The kids loved it. I wasn't calling for Gross' head because of it though. You can all step off your soap boxes now.

Oh it's just a matter of time before the Fine Lot is gone and then we'll get a 10 page thread from the Board Blue Hairs bitching about it but we're wrong because we're "low end supporters".

Better than non supporters though, right?

 

[Pyle]

I'm telling you right now, it would. It just wouldn't be a giant money maker. It would be basically D3 everywhere.

High major D1 athletics? No, that would not exist without fans.

But the point I'm making is that it's incredibly selfish to want to dick over the non-football athletes because they took your favorite spot to drink beer. You can park your car and tailgate just about anywhere. You can't build a track anywhere you want.

Sure you can, and if you're old with no kids then it doesn't matter where you drink beer does it? But if you're looking for a nice spot to play football with the kids, let them run around, and generally have fun too then it changes things a little bit. Your tailgating experience isn't the same as mine.

 

[Orangezoo]

Have any of you ever tailgated at a ped st game? As a PA native and being around PSU grads more often than not.. mud and dirt and tight quarters are a pretty common thing. The sandusky scandal aside its a program that brings 100k fans a game.. hike up your skirts and quit complaining.

 

[jekelish]

Sure you can, and if you're old with no kids then it doesn't matter where you drink beer does it? But if you're looking for a nice spot to play football with the kids, let them run around, and generally have fun too then it changes things a little bit. Your tailgating experience isn't the same as mine.

Honest question - if your main concern is to give the kids a place to run around and play football, why couldn't you just park, and then go in and hang out on the Quad?

I'm not trying to stir anything but like you said, your tailgate experience is different than mine, and if playing with the kids and giving them a place to run around, with drinking beer and "pregaming" not really a priority...why couldn't that be done?