Military Bowl Game Thread

[Bill-DC]

Glad you got home safe. Hopefully everyone who travelled down to DC got home ok. Still up posting pictures, will get the links posted soon. I took a lot of BG shots so I hope you like what I put out. It was cold and I was dealing with foggy lenses as it was my first game in under 40 degree weather on the sidelines. Next time I will prep for that better.

While I love the old barn, saw many a great Redskins games there, the time has come to put it down. The photographer's media room wasn't much bigger than an average sized kitchen and we had one urn of coffee. To get food, we had to go to the press box. No real complaints, this was great experience for me as a game photographer and I learned a lot in this weather. I would love to see them move this game to Nationals Park if they can configure it. Either that or move it to Fed EX.

Just my .02. I met a lot of great BG fans and corresponded with a few players and cheerleader's parents and I took care of getting he shots they wanted.

Anytime you meet your baseball idol is cool. I was right where the presentation was at halftime so I briefly shook hands with Cal Ripken Jr and got some shots of that presentation which I sent to the CEO and Founder of RenovatingHope. It was cool that organization renovated a 20 plus veteran who had suffered from post stress trauma and his home fell into disrepair. Just a nice scene I was proud to be part of.

Take care all, look for links later today.

--Bill

[Falcon Fanatic]

Looking forward to the pics, Bill! And thanks for sharing!!

[fredthefalcon]

Just got back from DC, few thoughts.

However, RFK is a total dump. Place is literally falling apart. I hope the area keeps this bowl, but they should explore FedEx or moving it to Baltimore.

I thought about warning people before the game that this is now one of the lower level stadiums in the US but didn't want to rain on the parade. I attended a Nationals game there for RFK's last season. My goal is eventually making all MLB stadiums (9 to go) and this was right at rock bottom. Of course it is old and lacking the extras, but basically in need of at least a new paint job and upgrades. After the Skins moved out, little dollars have been allocated here or at least that's what it seems. I think it is basically a soccer stadium now as primary use.

[Falcon137]

Just got back from DC, few thoughts.

However, RFK is a total dump. Place is literally falling apart. I hope the area keeps this bowl, but they should explore FedEx or moving it to Baltimore.

I thought about warning people before the game that this is now one of the lower level stadiums in the US but didn't want to rain on the parade. I attended a Nationals game there for RFK's last season. My goal is eventually making all MLB stadiums (9 to go) and this was right at rock bottom. Of course it is old and lacking the extras, but basically in need of at least a new paint job and upgrades. After the Skins moved out, little dollars have been allocated here or at least that's what it seems. I think it is basically a soccer stadium now as primary use.

It's really to bad, the area it's in isn't bad and looked like some new condos were going up near by. Plus the metro from hotel to game was 20 minutes total round trip, walking included. Some paint and some upgrades would do wonders. I must say the sight lines aren't very good for football. The face value of our tickets in the 200 section was $82 and really the best seats would be in the 300 or 400 sections. It's sloped so gradually you're staring at the back of helmets until you get to the very back of the 200 section.

The attendance was just over 17k, I can understand why people in DC weren't interested in ponying up that kind of coin for a game in that stadium.

[Bill-DC]

Not sure why but it was built more as a baseball stadium. It's the same age as I am (Opened in 1961) and I could go on and on about what I've seen there since '68 or '69 when Dad took me there for the first time to see the Senators play baseball. When the Nats came to town in 2005 the DC Sports Commission put $18 million into renovation which really amounted to slapping on a couple coats of paint, getting the mechanical seats to work again as they shared with D.C. United soccer and upgrading the press area. It was servicable for three years until Nats Park opened in 2008. Redskins Owner Dan Snyder talks about returning the Redskins to DC and would love to build a new stadium there one day.

D.C. United soccer has been trying for years to build a stadium but they have been unsuccessful at acquiring land to do so, so they have been exploring new places including Baltimore. They pay a ton of rent there and receive next to nothing in revenue playing there. Right now they are the only tenant. They have football games as Howard University plays one game there, the high school championship games and Military Bowl. Occasionally the Men's and Women's US National soccer play there as well as other nations like El Salvador and Guatemala play soccer exhibitions. Nats Park and Fed Ex get the big concerts (Saw Springsteen at both venues) now.

My favorite places to sit there were in the end zones and in the 400 level.

All that said, I really enjoyed myself there but my thinking is if they move this to Fed Ex, it's a lot closer to Annapolis and more Navy personnel who are there can come. Better idea would be to hold the game at Navy's stadium. I've been there and it's an incredible atmosphere for football.

Thanks for letting me ramble on. You guys have a new fan now LOL!

[Schadenfreude]

However, RFK is a total dump. Place is literally falling apart.

I rather liked the place. It was a little bit like watching a game in Tiger Stadium, except for the more modern sombrero-style roof.

It works for what this game is. I doubt the building could handle a sell out very easily, but it is fine for DC United or this bowl game.

I wish we could trade the bowl game in Boise for this one.

[Falconfreak90]

RFK reminded me of old Cleveland Stadium..tons of history but not much to look at. It really is showing it's age and probably should be razed.

[FortWayneFalcon]

Not that I didn't have a good time in DC, but I'm almost positive that the next time I see that stadium will be on the news as it is being razed.

[DetroitFalcon]

However, RFK is a total dump. Place is literally falling apart.

I rather liked the place. It was a little bit like watching a game in Tiger Stadium, except for the more modern sombrero-style roof.

It works for what this game is. I doubt the building could handle a sell out very easily, but it is fine for DC United or this bowl game.

I wish we could trade the bowl game in Boise for this one.

Wow. Sorry but I can't let that go. RFK is nowhere near the venue that Tiger Stadium was. The sight lines aren't even close. Even old Cleveburg Stadium was better! I will never, ever deal with that DUMP and the clowns who run it again.

[Schadenfreude]

However, RFK is a total dump. Place is literally falling apart.

I rather liked the place. It was a little bit like watching a game in Tiger Stadium, except for the more modern sombrero-style roof.

Wow. Sorry but I can't let that go. RFK is nowhere near the venue that Tiger Stadium was. The sight lines aren't even close.

You may be right. Mostly, I was saying that the place seemed lovably old.

[Flipper]

In spite of the fact that I did not know what liquid was usually dripping on me from the pipes and ceiling above, there was nothing like watching a game in Tiger Stadium.