Football questions: pep-rally, tailgating, tickets

I'll be in town during the United States Air Force Academy vs Navy game this fall and have a few questions I hope you can help me with. I've never been to Colorado Springs but really looking forward to the experience and attending the game. Graduated from Alabama in '03 so obviously removed from college scene but still very much enjoy some cold beers and tailgating.

- Are there any Friday night events/pep-rally's on campus or downtown?

- Any specific bars that cater to football fans Friday night?

- What's the tailgate scene like on Saturday for a 2:30 kick? Is there a certain time I should head to the stadium and is there a certain lot/area I should go?

- I'll be looking for two tickets in the lower level Falcon side. Will tickets be available outside the stadium or should I order online?

Thank you very much for your time and help. I can't wait to visit your area and check out a Falcons game.

AF will beat down Navy as usual... you really up for that?

Roll Tide

Wishful said:

AF will beat down Navy as usual... you really up for that?

Click to expand...

Even though I'm in Navy land down here on the Gulf Coast I'll be cheering for the Falcons. So yeah I'd be up for that. Big time respect for both programs though!

Just need to know where to celebrate before and after

Can't answer most of your questions but I do think you have chosen a great game to attend. There is nothing like a game when it is Academy vs. Academy. More pagentry, competitiveness, comraderie, hype and respect than you find a conference or non-conference game.

One question I can answer is that I think you should order online although tickets will likely be available outside the stadium. If you get an upper level cheaper seat on the pressbox side it gives a great vantage point for any aerial demonstrations that might take place.

Friday night there won't be much going on. The actual downtown for Colorado Springs is miles from the campus and there isn't much in the way of town celebrations or involvement for the AF games. If anything there might be some events related to a USAFA class reunion that are happening that weekend but those wouldn't be open to the public. I am not very familiar with any bars in the area so I can't help you there. I know the Academy Hotel near the South Gate has a bar in it called "Falcons" and that might be a prospect.

The squadrons have tailgate parties before the game. I am not sure if you are a parent or not, but if you are you can check with your cadet to see when and where theirs would be. The Parent's Weekend ones are huge and the rivalry games are smaller. Also, check out @Christcorp for his posts on the Thudgate parties before each game. Definitely order your tickets before the game for this one. I am guessing that they are already hard to find because it is a rivalry game and many officers and alumni from both sides will be attending. Popular seat ticket reselling sites are showing a few on the AF sideline for $115 and up.

Stealth_81

Good stuff guys. Really looking forward to the game.

I have no affiliation with the USAFA or Navy just happen to be in town for business and extended my trip a few days to catch the game. I'll start working on tickets.

I can tell you this, the parking lot is much larger at USAFA than at Navy. You got to be somebody "special" to get parking at a navy game.

What you seek is Thudgate.

Are there F-105s at "Thudgate"?

From an AFA grad who has been to 100s of games: buy Navy tickets in advance either thru stub hub or goairforcefalcons.com.
There will be a pep rally and bon fire in the cadet area time TBD on Friday evening. You can watch from the chapel wall.
Colorado Mountain brewery or Back East Bar and grill or CB Potts will have things going on Friday night.
There will be numerous tailgate parties. You need to be at the stadium parking at least 3 1/2 hours before.
Expect big traffic going to and from the game.
Watch this site for more details.