MSU Red Cedar Message Board

Don't walk to the stadium with a beer. Cops will get ya.

Watch out for this guy

so i shouldn't drag our MSU canopy etc down there and tailgate like we're in EL??? BORING!!!!

You can. We were in a bank parking lot on Regent Street, and there were lots of tents and grills and whatnot. Outside of 2 or 3 idiots the fans around us were great.

I was not a fan of their stadium or their scene.

It's slow-going. I'm fingerprinting all the cars that have ever been to a tailgate on campus, and cross-referencing those with people who own MSU canopies. Then I ask to see proof of purchase. Tell the boys it might take just a little while longer, but the beer's on me when we nail the bastard who committed this heinous crime.

I've always wanted to go to a Minnesota game!

I recommend the Badger Tavern. Good beer, good folks and a fairly short stumble to the stadium!

I had a good time when I went. Stadium was pretty cool and there is all to much red in there. Lee Evans also scored 4 touchdowns and the game was miserable.

I had a great time there, other than a few idiot fans which every fan base has. These last two years will probably have the whole stadium hating anyone in green and white tho. May head back, their game day experience is pretty unique.

Did you start the DNA testing yet? If so, I would like to send someone some of my DNA, you know, for testing purposes...

Ok, so here's my thoughts as someone who grew up in Madison (before learning better and moving to East Lansing for college and never looking back).

There's a minor tailgate scene, but most of the game day parking that isn't in permit lots won't really allow you to tailgate easily. I've often parked in someone's driveway or back yard a few blocks from the stadium and just headed to the bars. The stadium is at the corner of Regent Street and Monroe Street. Going up and down Regent Street, you'll hit at least 8-10 bars that all set-up their own outdoor tailgate party. They all sell beer, mixed drinks, burgers, brats, etc outside in their fenced in parking lots. It's pretty reasonably priced and much, much easier than tailgating when you're from out of state. Pre-game, the Wisconsin percussion section will walk in and out of pretty much every bar's outdoor party, often stopping to perform while there. While they are the enemy, their percussion section is really good and definitely worth checking out if you're into that kind of thing (actually, the Wisconsin band is probably the 2nd best band in the Big Ten behind the Spartan Marching Band). The closer you are to the stadium, the more crowded the bars will be. If you're with people under 21, some of these places will allow the minors in and some won't.

As for the game, the sections are all lettered as opposed to numbered. A-Z is the lower level and AA-LL. I've pretty much sat everywhere in the stadium except the student section, which is the north end of the stadium (J through P). The west side of the stadium (under the upper deck) is known for being a the more dull side of the stadium with the "old" Badger fans. The west side of the stadium is most of the newer season ticket holders (since Barry Alvarez took over as the head coach in the early 90's). There really isn't a bad seat in the stadium, though I think the lower level is better than the upper deck. That being said, the first 10-15 rows of the lower level seem to rise slowly and you could have an issue seeing over the team standing on the sideline if you're that low. I'd rather sit in the last row of the upper deck than sit in the 5th row on 50 yard line (but that's true in most stadiums).

As for fan interaction, it's pretty simple. Don't be an asshole and most people will treat you well. Also, college students will be college students and you have to know what to expect if you're walking around in visiting teams colors. People like to complain about fans in different places (Wisconsin, OSU, etc), but I've been to Madison for MSU-UW games 4 times since 2000, each time with a group of at least 10 other Spartans. Each time we've had a blast and even had numerous Badger fans buy us drinks, talk football with us, and at the end, tell us to have a safe trip home. Again, don't be an asshole and most people are great in Madison.

To the original poster or anyone else going to the game this fall, PM if you need any more info or possibly want to meet up with other Spartans in Madison. There are at least 12 of us going this year and it would be fun to pick a beer for us Spartan fans to meet at before the game.