Facilities

[TJE_]

Hey, would love to hear anyone's thoughts on the facilities and game atmosphere at the different NSIC teams. Especially interested in Mankato, Bemidji, Moorhead, Augustana, Duluth, and Wayne.
Thanks!

I have been to all but Moorehead.

Mankato - Great crowd. Decent stadium.
Bemidji - Stadium is run down. Port o Let’s for bathrooms. No Gameday feel at all. Beautiful setting right on the lake.
Augie - Nice stadium. Decent tailgate
Duluth - Decent Stadium and pretty good tailgate
Wayne - Nice but small stadium. Decent tailgate on the home side.

[SW_Mustang]

Northern - best stadium in the NSIC, maybe the best stadium (pound for pound) in South Dakota. I was only there opening night, but I believe they have great attendance on a weekly basis.

Augustana - Solid stadium, no night games. I haven't seen a big crowd there on my three visits, but they have a passionate fan base.

USF - One of my personal favorite stadiums. Neighborhood it's in leaves some to be desired, and it's not on-campus. I've been to two KotC games here and those are fun (though Augie is the real stage for that show).

Minnesota State - the Blake has amazing views of the natural grass field from both the stands and the berm. The stands sit right on top of the field and it holds sound better than any NSIC stadium I've been too - and games have been drawing well consistently (I'd have to look but many of the Top 10 games in attendance are post-COVID). That's... about all one can say about it though. It's being replaced.

SMSU - it's home. A great stadium to catch a game, from the home side anyway. Visitor's side and locker rooms leave something to be desired. Despite the troubles on the field, the town has really started showing out. Crowds taper off when area prep sports get going and the weather dips, but a crowd of 2,500+ is pretty good considering all involved.

I've also been to UMD, Wayne, Bemidji, and Winona - and have driven by CSP, but have not attended a game at any.

[laker]

I've also been to UMD, Wayne, Bemidji, and Winona - and have driven by CSP, but have not attended a game at any.

I'd put CSP on the bottom. Terrible visitor side, I usually go sit on the home side to be higher up and actually see the game. Really disappointing considering it is relatively new. I've driven around for at least 20 minutes trying to find a place to park- usually just park north of the stadium and walk a half a mile.

[SW_Mustang]

I'd put CSP on the bottom. Terrible visitor side, I usually go sit on the home side to be higher up and actually see the game. Really disappointing considering it is relatively new. I've driven around for at least 20 minutes trying to find a place to park- usually just park north of the stadium and walk a half a mile.

I did see a CSP home game - except it was at the Metrodome. Not in a big hurry to get to Sea Foam for the reasons you describe - just looks, not great from what I've seen. Maybe the only one in the conference I feel like I can have a full opinion on without seeing a game there.

[laker]

I did see a CSP home game - except it was at the Metrodome. Not in a big hurry to get to Sea Foam for the reasons you describe - just looks, not great from what I've seen. Maybe the only one in the conference I feel like I can have a full opinion on without seeing a game there.

I enjoyed the game more when it was at St Paul Central HS field several blocks to the east. That seemed like a football stadium. Seafoam just doesn't have any character to it. Not that I like the Ganglehoff for basketball either- having it in a field house reminds me of the 1960s.

[34blast]

Speaking of visitor side, if you have been to Minot, it doesn't get much worse for the visitors side LOL
The stadium itself is nice and good for the home side. The visitor's side though

[laker]

Speaking of visitor side, if you have been to Minot, it doesn't get much worse for the visitors side LOL
The stadium itself is nice and good for the home side. The visitor's side though

Visitor sides are often neglected. Concessions, rest rooms, seating. Upper Iowa actually did a pretty good job when they built their new stadium- a huge improvement over the old one.

[SW_Mustang]

I enjoyed the game more when it was at St Paul Central HS field several blocks to the east. That seemed like a football stadium. Seafoam just doesn't have any character to it. Not that I like the Ganglehoff for basketball either- having it in a field house reminds me of the 1960s.

What's funny is that ESPN used the Ganglehoff in 2001 for the CBB Dunk/3PT contest.

https://youtu.be/zbydUMNLVR4?si=uev45R0IEWxwJDy1

NFL teams also use the Concordia Dome as a training facility - not sure if they all do, but I know of a handful that stop by during the season.

Ganglehoff reminds me of my hometown's community center where they commonly host 8th grade basketball games. It looks like they built half of a really nice arena, then just an endless cavern of supplemental courts. Vaulted ceiling is nice though, I guess?

[SW_Mustang]

Visitor sides are often neglected. Concessions, rest rooms, seating. Upper Iowa actually did a pretty good job when they built their new stadium- a huge improvement over the old one.

SMSU's is bad. I wish we had the money to build the visitor's stands we had planned, but alas. Just be nice if we could accommodate visitors a little better - especially when they're driving from far away places.

[laker]

SMSU's is bad. I wish we had the money to build the visitor's stands we had planned, but alas. Just be nice if we could accommodate visitors a little better - especially when they're driving from far away places.

Depending on the weather, I often sit on the home side at Southwest. You have the overhang in case of rain (a few years ago there was a monsoon during the opener at night), in the afternoon you are looking into the sun or the wind from the northwest hits you. But overall I like watching games there- maybe because it isn't much further for me to drive to than Mankato.

[SW_Mustang]

Depending on the weather, I often sit on the home side at Southwest. You have the overhang in case of rain (a few years ago there was a monsoon during the opener at night), in the afternoon you are looking into the sun or the wind from the northwest hits you. But overall I like watching games there- maybe because it isn't much further for me to drive to than Mankato.

I love the stadium as a whole - great place to watch a game. I try to make it at least once a season. I just wish we had a proper visitor section. The berm is pretty cool though, definitely a popular option during the warmer weeks.

(Should have clarified in my previous post - I was referring specifically to the visitor's section at the REC - aside from a spit shine and a few updates, I actually love the place)

[SW_Mustang]

Not football related but SCSU is dumping $13 million into their hockey arena.

In unrelated news, SCSU announced they lost their food service contract and 150+ workers are being laid off.

(I get it's likely private money funding the reno, but still)

[Husky]

Not football related but SCSU is dumping $13 million into their hockey arena.

In unrelated news, SCSU announced they lost their food service contract and 150+ workers are being laid off.

(I get it's likely private money funding the reno, but still)

Chartwells 10 year contract with SCSU is up. going back to Sodexo. Chartwell is closing at SMSU also


KNSI) – More than 150 workers at St. Cloud State University’s dining operation are set to lose their jobs this summer after food service contractor Chartwells lost its service contract with the school.

Compass Group USA, which operates as Chartwells, notified the State Rapid Response Team of the permanent closure and layoffs of 153 people in a federal filing. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on July 1st.

Nearly every role at the campus operation is being eliminated. That includes cooks, food service workers, a general manager, an executive chef, a financial analyst, and the assistant director of dining services. Hourly supervisors, food unit leads, bookkeepers, a unit marketing manager, and interns are also on the list.

The workers are not represented by a union, and the filing notes that no bumping rights exist. Chartwells says it is helping affected employees find other positions within the broader Compass Group. Chartwells has provided dining services at St. Cloud State since 2016, when the university ended a 10-year partnership with Sodexo. The operation was rebranded as Huskies Dining in 2023.

St. Cloud State told KNSI News, “Sodexo was selected last month as the university’s new campus dining partner, with the contract beginning July 1st, 2026. As is typical with dining services transitions, Sodexo has been in contact with current full-time employees and student workers about future opportunities, and many long-serving Garvey Commons staff have successfully navigated similar changes over their decades on campus. We will be able to provide further details on the employee rehiring process in the coming weeks.”

The company says, “We are committed to supporting a smooth transition as we assume the role of St. Cloud State University’s dining partner. All current hourly associates will be offered employment with Sodexo, honoring their years of service and current pay. Additionally, all current salaried employees will be considered for similar roles and encouraged to explore opportunities with Sodexo if they are not retained by their current employer.”

Chartwells is also closing its operation at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, where 64 employees will be laid off on the same July 1st date, also due to the loss of a service contract.

[Millsy]

Not football related but SCSU is dumping $13 million into their hockey arena.

In unrelated news, SCSU announced they lost their food service contract and 150+ workers are being laid off.

(I get it's likely private money funding the reno, but still)

State funded reno.

https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/2...y/89537773007/

[BearCatAlum]

Chartwells 10 year contract with SCSU is up. going back to Sodexo. Chartwell is closing at SMSU also


KNSI) – More than 150 workers at St. Cloud State University’s dining operation are set to lose their jobs this summer after food service contractor Chartwells lost its service contract with the school.

Compass Group USA, which operates as Chartwells, notified the State Rapid Response Team of the permanent closure and layoffs of 153 people in a federal filing. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on July 1st.

Nearly every role at the campus operation is being eliminated. That includes cooks, food service workers, a general manager, an executive chef, a financial analyst, and the assistant director of dining services. Hourly supervisors, food unit leads, bookkeepers, a unit marketing manager, and interns are also on the list.

The workers are not represented by a union, and the filing notes that no bumping rights exist. Chartwells says it is helping affected employees find other positions within the broader Compass Group. Chartwells has provided dining services at St. Cloud State since 2016, when the university ended a 10-year partnership with Sodexo. The operation was rebranded as Huskies Dining in 2023.

St. Cloud State told KNSI News, “Sodexo was selected last month as the university’s new campus dining partner, with the contract beginning July 1st, 2026. As is typical with dining services transitions, Sodexo has been in contact with current full-time employees and student workers about future opportunities, and many long-serving Garvey Commons staff have successfully navigated similar changes over their decades on campus. We will be able to provide further details on the employee rehiring process in the coming weeks.”

The company says, “We are committed to supporting a smooth transition as we assume the role of St. Cloud State University’s dining partner. All current hourly associates will be offered employment with Sodexo, honoring their years of service and current pay. Additionally, all current salaried employees will be considered for similar roles and encouraged to explore opportunities with Sodexo if they are not retained by their current employer.”

Chartwells is also closing its operation at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, where 64 employees will be laid off on the same July 1st date, also due to the loss of a service contract.

Sodexo just ended their agreement with Northwest Mo State. Their food was absolutely awful. Bordering on inedible.