Should We Be Outraged Bridgeforth Isn’t On This List of FCS Stadiums to Visit Before You Die?

Actually, no. No we realize that we shouldn’t be outraged. And honestly, we’re not. Truthfully, we had a bit of fun discussing Brian McLaughlin’s list of 8 FCS Stadiums You Have to Visit Before You Die with some fellow JMU fanatics today. For one thing, the list just represents one man’s opinion. And that man happens to be a guy who’s coverage of FCS football, and JMU football, we really enjoy. For another thing, it’s just a silly list on the internet and despite what some folks think, not everything on the internet is worth arguing about. But that doesn’t mean we agree with every stadium on Brian’s list. Of course we don’t.

Brian’s got some great (i.e. obvious) picks on his list. It’s easy to see why the FargoDome is a must visit for any FCS fan. Likewise, you don’t even need to be a football fan, to appreciate the beautiful surroundings of Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Montana. A couple of stadiums were real head scratchers though (Presbyterian and Lehigh???). And unless you have a closet full of chinos with anchors on them you’re dying to wear to a tailgate, you can probably choose either Yale or Harvard.

Again though, this was a fun list. We thought we’d offer our personal list of 8 FCS Stadiums we think FCS fans should visit. Without further ado, here it is.

Bridgeforth Stadium – JMU

Bet you didn’t see that one coming?

Robins Stadium – Richmond

Yes, it’s a high school stadium. However, the next best thing to seeing a JMU home game in Bridgeforth Stadium is seeing a JMU home game in Robins Stadium.

Washington-Grizzly Stadium – Montana

Snow capped mountains in the distance and one of the most loyal and raucous fanbases in all of FCS. What’s not to love? Plus, as a novice (very, very novice) fly fisherman, a trip to Montana is on my bucket list anyway.

Fargodome – North Dakota State 

We’ve had our fun mocking Fargo and the Fargodome before, but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the great atmosphere the Bison have for home games. Good gracious, some other team better win the Championship this year though.

Franklin Field – Pennsylvania

You pretty much need to include an Ivy League stadium on any list of FCS stadiums to visit. It would be hard to poke holes in either of Brian’s selections (er, even though we did just that above). Personally, we’ll take Franklin Field over Yale’s or Harvard’s stadium. We dig the backdrop of the field house behind the west end zone.

Eddie Robinson Stadium – Grambling State

Just like you need an Ivy League rep, you’ve got to include an HBCU entrant on any list of top FCS stadiums. “The Hole” gets our vote due to the Grambling State football tradition and earns bonus points for incorporating a hill for additional seating.

Finley Stadium – UT Chattanooga

Pilgrimage to the site of the Dukes 2004 National Championship. ‘Nuff said.

Fitton Field – Holy Cross

Admittedly, this is a bit of wild card. Fitton Field is pretty much just a couple of grandstands. My old man went to Holy Cross though, so it’d be fun to check out a game there with him.