On Oct. 11, The Daily Illini ventured into both KAMS and Gies Memorial Stadium as then-No. 17 Illinois took on then-No. 1 Ohio State. The goal was to find out if fans prefer to watch the game at bars or at the stadium.
In the sea of orange
There was an electric vibe at Gies Memorial Stadium, and we were able to talk to some fans about how they were feeling while watching the game in person. Three of those fans were Zach Rothering, senior in Engineering, Alan Cooper, Illinois fan of over 20 years and Niall Canny, junior in LAS.
The Daily Illini: What’s the biggest benefit to watching the game in person at the stadium?
Rothering: “The school spirit is just so high, and it’s fun to just be able to actually watch the field and know that you’re only like a few 100 yards away from it. It’s just so much more energy, just a better vibe.”
Cooper: “The energy, the excitement. That’s always the reason we come to games. Coming into the environment that the kids can experience, it’s nice.”
The DI: Is there any downside to watching the game at the stadium?
Canny: “Honestly, the biggest downside is if you’re not a ticket holder, it’s gonna be pretty expensive on the good games like this to get in. I’d say that’s just about the only downside. That’s why I don’t come to more games than I do.”
The DI: What is something you would tell the people who are watching the game at the bars?
Canny: “I’ll tell them at least, give it a shot every once in a while. I always try to come out for the games that are predicted to be more interesting or high scoring. Whatever game catches your attention. I like watching them at the bars too, but switch it up every once in a while.”
Booze, booths and big screens
Although not as packed as the stadium, KAMS offered an atmosphere that was calmer yet just as into the game. We were able to talk to some KAMS regulars who frequent the bar to watch the games. Three of those fans were Sebastian Gal, sophomore in the Division of Exploratory Studies, Samy Driss, junior in Business and Charles Gove, junior in LAS.
The DI: What’s the best part about watching the game at the bars?
Gal: “I’d say the best part of watching at the bars is the sense of community you get with the rest of the school. Every time the Illini score, everybody starts yelling, screaming, going crazy; it’s a great time.”
Driss: “The best part of watching the game at bars is how you get to see all the raw emotion from everyone else around you. You’re just a lot closer physically and emotionally to people when you’re watching it at a bar.”
Gove: “I would say, being able to sit down with your friends, you’re out of the sun, you’re in the AC, you got TVs, announcers and it’s easy to get drinks. And it’s not as crowded either. You sit wherever; it’s a lot easier to watch the game here.”
The DI: Can fans at the bars be just as passionate about the game compared to those at the stadium?
Gove: “I would say it’s like a different vibe, but very similar. Everybody’s into the game. At the stadium, of course, you’re gonna be a little more passionate, but at the bar, if you see a big play, everybody’s into it.”
Gal: “Yeah, a lot of my friends don’t have tickets. It’s the easiest way to watch the games, while also interacting with people. It’s better than watching the game at home alone.”
The DI: Does going to both the bars and the game itself go hand in hand?
Gove: “Yeah, especially if you’re a big Illini fan, you gotta watch some games in the stadium, but you gotta watch some games at the bar too. They’re both different experiences, both really good. You need to watch some games at the stadium, but if you’re not gonna watch it at the stadium, you gotta watch it at the bar.”
There are many ways you can support Illinois as a fan, and watching the big game against Ohio State was certainly one of the best ways to do so. Whether it’s at the bars, the stadium, a tailgate or even at home while you’re recovering from the night before, showing your Illinois pride is what it’s all about.
