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Residents around Camp Randall psych up for big game
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by Matthew Dolbey
Friday, October 10, 2003
Students living near the University of Wisconsin’s Camp Randall stadium said Thursday that the mood of their neighborhood would be undeniably different this Saturday. Residents say it is because of two reasons: this is the first night game the Badger football team has had at home this season, and the game is against undefeated Big Ten rival and defending national champion Ohio State University.
“This is a night game against the team to beat,” Breese Terrace resident Michael Eckblad said. “People are going to be letting loose more than at a normal game. Think if you combine a normal Badger game with a house party.”
Even though Badger diehards will be going wild in the stands, Eckblad showed some concern for his house.
“I’ll be more cautious,” Eckblad said. “It’s definitely going to be a big party all day.”
Eckblad added that he is going to stick around his apartment before and after the game.
Ryan Schoolmeestes, a fifth-year UW student, said there would be a different mood to the town, but that it was nothing to worry about.
“I don’t think that’ll be an issue,” Schoolmeestes said about the possibility of troublemakers at his Lathrop Street residence. “People will be more friendly, if anything.”
UW junior Ethan Schowalter-Hey, tenant in a Breese Terrace apartment, noted that he does not feel threatened at his abode.
“I feel very secure,” he said of his residence. His roommate Eckblad added that the thought of victory riots in the streets does not concern him.
“I’m not so worried about us rioting in the streets,” Eckblad said. “I’m more concerned with rushing the field.”
Eckblad added that his father was at a Badger game after which fans rushed the field and some people died from being trampled and squished between the fence and the massive crowd of people. Eckblad added that if anything bad happens, it will probably be around State Street because people watch the game at bars and because everything moves that way after a game anyway.
Though Eckblad may be concerned about security, others are planning parties.
“We’re having a pig roast,” Schoolmeestes said. He said that most people stopping by would be mostly family or those who were invited before.
Upstairs neighbor Mike Keir noted that his housemate is not the only to have plans before the game.
“I know a lot of people who are having preparations,” Keir said.
Among all area residents questioned, all mentioned alcohol would play a key role in the big game.
“Hell, yeah! A lot of people will drink a lot; I bet money on it,” Eckblad said. “It will be different because people will have all day to party.” He added that most people would probably show up to the game really drunk.
“Students have a nice, long streak of drinking [before the game],” Eckblad said. He noted that this will be different for students from the regular schedule of only having a few hours of sleep after Friday night’s partying before waking up to “rally” before the game.
