Parent's Weekend - buy football tickets for parents?

HueyNation

USAFA '16
10-Year Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
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On the USAF Academy Parents' Weekend 2012 schedule (located here), it says "Cadets are required to attend the game (USAFA Home football game vs. Idaho State) and must sit with the Cadet Wing, but do not need to purchase tickets." If we want our parents to attend, should we buy them tickets via goairforcefalcons.com? How was it done last year?
 
Yes, you will need to buy your own tickets. Every year but the first year (when we didn't know any better yet) we purchased the $5 tickets which they will come out with later in the summer.
 
The $5 seats are just fine for (most) parents. Your cadet, even Basics, will have ability to move about the stadium during the game. More than likely they will be able to take a rest room break, get a drink, whatever and end up at your seats at some point. In general, they must march on with the other cadets, must sit in the Cadet section and must stay through the very end of the game and the singing of the Academy song -- but most have some mobility during the actual game.
 
Most state's Parents Associations will reserve a block of seats all together and then offer them to parents for purchase. That way you will be sitting with people that you may already know from Summer picnics and other group meetings/orientations. I know the Wisconsin group was always by the Texas and Tenessee groups and we met several people from those states who we got to know over the years just from Parents Weekend football games.

Stealth_81
 
I see - I didn't realize that they sold $5 tickets. Since it sounds like they'll be released later on in the summer, I guess I'll leave that to them to get their tickets.

Thanks for all of the helpful advice!! :thumb:
 
The cadets don't need to buy tickets. It's automatically taken out of their pay. Also; don't rely on your cadet to buy your tickets. They start school the end of the first week of august. They just got done with BCT. They are just moving into their room, getting computers, etc... Just wait and buy them yourselves.

Like others have said, if you're involved with your parent's associate, check with them. Many buy a block of tickets so you can all sit together; BBQ during tail-gate time; etc... The only time you have to worry about tickets for parent's weekend is if you want specific seats. Otherwise, you can wait until the middle of August. Either your cadet will contact you, or you can go online and find the cheap tickets at the air force site.

And don't forget to check out "Thudgate". With all the different cadets; squadrons; tail-gates; etc... Thudgate is a great tail-gate that you all can arrange to meet each other for the first time; plus see one of the largest tailgates in the country full of retired; active duty; cadets; parents; etc... You'll see what the "Air Force Family" that your son/daughter is getting into is really like. All is welcome. Later... mike....
 
For what it's worth, the last couple years there has been some emphasis placed on keeping most of the cadet wing seated in our section. In reality, many move to sit with parents, but don't be surprised if your cadet can't/doesn't sit with you.
 
The cadets don't need to buy tickets. It's automatically taken out of their pay. Also; don't rely on your cadet to buy your tickets. They start school the end of the first week of august. They just got done with BCT. They are just moving into their room, getting computers, etc... Just wait and buy them yourselves.

Like others have said, if you're involved with your parent's associate, check with them. Many buy a block of tickets so you can all sit together; BBQ during tail-gate time; etc... The only time you have to worry about tickets for parent's weekend is if you want specific seats. Otherwise, you can wait until the middle of August. Either your cadet will contact you, or you can go online and find the cheap tickets at the air force site.

And don't forget to check out "Thudgate". With all the different cadets; squadrons; tail-gates; etc... Thudgate is a great tail-gate that you all can arrange to meet each other for the first time; plus see one of the largest tailgates in the country full of retired; active duty; cadets; parents; etc... You'll see what the "Air Force Family" that your son/daughter is getting into is really like. All is welcome. Later... mike....

CC,
Would you please post more info about Thudgate when you have it? Like the location, etc. Thanks!
 
Clip of Game and Thudgate

Here's video clip I shot at last year's Air Force v Army game in Nov. While it wasn't "Parents Weekend" you'll see some of the same activities, including Thudgate (i.e. the tailgate and toast.) Cris and I put Thudgate as the second best thing about Parent's Weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvbVhQas7tU
 
CC,
Would you please post more info about Thudgate when you have it? Like the location, etc. Thanks!

Most certainly. Thudgate is actually pretty big. Even a google search has a lot about it. It is named after one of the member's father, who was an F-105 pilot (aircraft nicknamed "Thud). This individual was Lt. General George Simler. (Another google search will result in a very prestigious biography). Including time stationed at the academy as the director of athletics and one of the founders of the "Commander in Chief Trophy" given to the winner between Air Force, Navy, and Army. General Simler died in 1972 during a training accident at Randolph air force base. He was scheduled to be promoted to his 4th star later that year. His son mike is a member of our tailgate (Thudgate).

We have this tailgate at ALL home football games, as well as some away games when possible. It is not uncommon to have up to and more than 200 people at one of our tailgates. There have been some really bad weather games when only the die-hard were there, and we maxed out at about 50 attendees. Thudgate is not affiliated directly or officially with the air force, but those who attend are most definitely part of the "Air Force Family". Of all the regulars, many are retired member. A number are still active duty. Some are academy alumni. We have officers, enlisted, current/past cadets, parents, and friends. We really care about the air force, the academy, and the cadets.

Location: Easy. (I'll post an actual map when the season gets closer). Directly EAST of the stadium, is the MAIN LARGE parking lot. The area you see if driving on stadium blvd at the academy. During home football games, the CLOSEST thing you'll see to the stadium from that east parking lot, is a large white tented area. (This is NOT Thudgate). That tent is BETWEEN the main Handicapped parking and the stadium entrance. On the other side of the handicapped parking; "Further east from the big white tent", is a large RV with usually 2 flags flying. The American Flag and the THUDGATE Flag. That's us.

Many members of this forum have attended Thudgate. We know that parent's weekend can be very busy. Especially with each squadron having their own tailgates and parents being pulled to all of them. Thudgate has been a great central place for many parents and cadets on this forum to meet each other in person for the first time. They'll schedule to meet at thudgate at a certain time. Of course, there are some of us who go to all the games and/or when it's not parent's weekend and we are there all the time. Most who have attended get an opportunity to see the real Air Force Family. A couple years back, one woman and her husband came by and enjoyed themselves. Prior to ending the tailgate and getting in to see the game, all in attendance at thudgate get together and have a toast. To those no longer with us; those who have served; and those who are serving now. The particular woman said that after watching the people at the tailgate for about an hour, that 6 months of anxiety and stress (including having to go to a doctor for some medication), disappeared instantly. Not that we do anything special or directly for the cadets; just that she understood the "Air Force Family" and at that point, realized that her son was indeed in very good hands.

That's what Thudgate is all about. It's family. The air force family. And when the navy or army are there to play, they are invited too. (And many do come to our tailgate). And we invite everyone; even the other team. Anyway; I'll give pics and more details when we get closer to parent's weekend. Hope to see/meet you there. Mike....
 
Thanks

Thanks CC and MikeandCris for the info and video. We look forward to Thudgate at Parents' Weekend, and all the other football games we're able to make it to. Even though there'll be other tailgates, we will want to be at Thudgate for the toast.
 
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