I've seen UConn's new football stadium mentioned a few times on this forum. I had the privilege of attending the open house they hosted on 6/14. Here's one fan's humble opinion. ORIENTATION The stadium seats 38,000 on two levels, in an east-west orientation. The home stands and media tower are on the south side. The lower bowl is 21 rows deep all the way around. The three sections centered at midfield on each side have blue chair back seats, with all other sections having white bleachers. Like the Hartford Civic Center, Rentschler Field is managed by MSG. Policies like alcohol sales/consumption and parking fees are TBD. LOCATION Just of I-84 in East Hartford. Very easy off/easy on. There are three entrances and four exits. Foxboro regulars would kill for this kind of access. PITCH SIZE I asked several staffers how wide the pitch is, and without my even mentioning what I had in mind, they all responded that the field was intentionally made to be wide enough for international soccer. Interesting... AMENITIES With a conservatively estimated average of 3 people per vehicle, there's ample room for parking and tailgating on site. I was told the lots would open three or four hours before the event. Inside, there appear to be sufficient restroom facilities and plenty of windows for concessions under the sideline seating. DISABLED If there's a more disabled-friendly stadium in the northeast, I haven't seen it. One can roll a wheelchair from the van, through the entrance gate, and right up to the rail surrounding the lower bowl. No curbs, no ramps, no stairs, no elevator. At the rail, there are two-person benches spaced two wheelchair-widths apart, so a companion can sit with each disabled guest. DOWNSIDE It's hot. The entire visitor's side faces south, which means it'll see the sun all day long. The main concourse is paved with black asphalt, except for the 15 or 20 feet behind the rail, which is paved with white concrete. We were there when the local temperature was in the high 70s, and we felt like we were in an oven. Definitely try to get tickets on the south (tower) side. FORT? If by chance the place books some soccer matches, supporters groups should angle for the east end zone, next to the players' entrance tunnel and opposite the Jumbotron. - HWM
You're welcome to notify the moderators of this forum, or volunteer to become one yourself, if you have opinions regarding the suitability of threads posted here. Since this one still exists, it's safe to assume that it's passed their scrutiny. If it's good enough for them, it should be good enough for you. Not that I feel I owe you an explanation, but here it is anyway: I've seen several inquiries on this forum about the availability/suitability of Rentschler Field for use by the Revolution, either for exhibitions or possible regular-season or USOC matches. One poster even wondered whether it should be a new permanent home. Since the inquiries arose on this forum, it seemed appropriate to offer a first-hand look. - HWM
ya know what, as stupid as the whole, Revs move to Hartford thing is. I know a guy who worked on the building of the stadium as an engineer, maybe I'll give him a call and get some more information for those who are curious.
Even though I live 25 minutes from East Hartford, I strongly oppose any permanent move to that site. Hartford is not a major league city; just ask the Whalers. And despite the name, New England is a Boston team. Rentschler Field shoud be taken into consideration, however, for friendlies and USOC- and CCC- type matches. I'd also like to see a once-a-year grudge match between the Revs and the Metros. I wonder, if Rentschler were available this past March, if the Revolution might have hosted Alajuelense after all. - HWM
That's actually an excellent idea. hey if The Mall worked for the Celtics every now and then Adriane's Warf (or the what was formerly known as) could work for the Revs and the Metros.
my buddy was talking with the new UCONN AD and a rep from MSG. He was told that they missed getting the Womens World cup first round games by a hair. They were going to be guarrenteed the USWNT's first game. I had heard that it was indeed built with soccer in mind in hopes of getting nats games and the NCAA championships. the last I saw the field would be 120x70 for soccer. which is a decent size field.
A Boston team? When the wankers on WEEI poke fun at them every Monday morning, and Meterparel giggles along? Hartford is about as far from me as Foxborough, time-wise, and at least it's a city. I'd go to more matches there certainly.
Wankers, of course, being the operative word here. Does anyone even listen to WEEI? But the Revs are a "Boston team," even if they aren't afforded the same respect as the other 3 teams in town, not to mention that other team that plays in the same stadium and most certainly is a Boston team. Had the Pats moved to Yo Adrian's Landing, they still probably would have been considered a Boston team for at least a few years. The Boston papers would have still sent their usual ton of reporters to cover them, and they'd still be on local TV. Some of the Boston and points North fanbase would have probably dropped off, but the team would have picked up new fans in Harrfa. The bottom line in the NFL is that the stadium is merely a TV studio, with the ticket payers as background extras. Does anyone care if David Letterman tapes his show in New York, while Leno is in California? If the Nats played a game there, I'd certainly check it out. If the Revs played a one-off game there, I'd also go. It sounds like a pretty nice stadium. Unfortunately, if it's an Open Cup or CCC match, those are usually mid-week, and that would make it a lot tougher to make the trek. And if it's a "B" level game like that and they want to play in Conn., isn't New Britain a lot more suitable for that? Tom
Depends what they are expecting for attendance. Under 5K I'd go with New Britain. Anything over, I'd go with the new place. It looks like it would actually be a great place for an MLS team to play - good location next to the highways, not too big(although 10k less would look better on tv), etc. Sadly, CT would not be able to draw enough fans to support an MLS team, especially with two teams already in place within a hundred miles of the stadium. Lee