Football Stadium Review: Hopp Stadium (Ripon College)

 Hopp Stadium in Ripon, Wisconsin is home to the Ripon Redhawks of the Division 3 Midwest Conference. This 2,000 seat stadium plays host not just to the football program, but also both soccer programs too.  It is one of the newest D3 stadiums, as it opened just three years ago in 2023.  I had the opportunity to attend a game here in this town in central Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the result was a 31 point loss for the Redhawks, which was a massive downside. However, how did Hopp Stadium fare? Let's find out below!

Amenities:

So.. no regular food stand but a food truck was there. The bathrooms were clean and the whole stadium was super clean. The staff were also super nice, so the amenities are sort of there, but no main food stand is a very interesting choice.  3 out of 5.

Atmosphere:

You definitely could easily feel for the Ripon fans, after a 31-0 loss on this day, because there were several opportunities for the Redhawks to score and make this a game but nothing was done. It was a bunch who wanted to have something to cheer about, but there was a palpable frustration throughout. Unfortunately on this day, this dampened the atmosphere.  There was emotion though, so I will give it a 1.5 out of 5.

Location:

Ripon is in central-ish Wisconsin, but with a population of under 8 thousand, it's going to rely on the college a lot.  Hopp Stadium is smack dab in the middle of the campus which makes this a solid plus.  It is also not terribly far from the main town center, but again it is a small town that won't be incredibly lively. The on-campus stadium part does help this score pretty solidly and will help the students have a Saturday afternoon watching ball for a couple of hours. 3.5 out of 5.

Price/Quality:

It's less than 10 for a ticket and it was free to park near the stadium.  Those are the plus sides.  The food was way too expensive overall and lacked the quality to make it worth the price.  At best, it was above average.  With that, its a 3 out of 5 with the ticket/parking being cheap making this as high of a score as it is.

Review:

One of the newest stadiums on the board, Hopp Stadium does have some things to work out.  Mainly, if they got a food stand of their own it might help.  The food truck was far too expensive for middle of the road quality. I feel a lot of this rating would have been better if the atmosphere was better, but you have to rate on the days you go, and unfortunately for the Redhawks, they get rated on a rather tough day.  Will say, this would be a stadium I would like to review again in a couple of years if able. For now, that 11 will stay.

Football Stadium Review: Taraska Stadium (Arrowhead High School)

 Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin is known as a state football juggernaut year in and year out, producing division 1 talent by the bunches. Taraska Stadium is where they play the sport of football and it's where I got to see them play in the first round of the WIAA playoffs in 2025.  I've been to Arrowhead High on one occasion.  Back in the year of 2007 when I was looking at colleges, they had a showcase of colleges and I got to look into it for the future. I've never been to their football stadium, nor actually saw it until this night.  Now Arrowhead did win this one going away en route to their state championship in the coming weeks. How did I rate this stadium? Let's find out below!

Amenities:

The food stand is there, there's a massive walkway, there's an elevator for the coaching staff to get to their booths in the boxes, and there was a food truck as well as the main stand.  There was one kind of major thing missing: Bathrooms.  Yep, they forgot the bathrooms to this place.  They did have porta-potties, but man, a D1 juggernaut without bathrooms? Massive gut punch bro.  3.5 out of 5.

Atmosphere:

There was a section of students, but it wasn't in a numerous amount. They were kind of into the game but kind of not at the same time.  The crowd was much of the same way.  It felt like it was a game where they would attend, the team would show up, win by a bunch and they can come out in force the next couple of weeks, and to that credit, they did win.  The team does have a solid opening onto the field, kind of how you would envision a college team with the team running through an inflatable tunnel and then running onto the field with some pyrotechnics. The team has the atmosphere down, but the crowd was more laid back. Going to split this one down the middle at 2.5 out of 5.

Location:

Arrowhead is in Hartland, which isn't a big town by any stretch.  It's off a couple of highways but there is a lot of residential areas around this school.  Most high schools are like this so it's no knock to Arrowhead. Overall, not a bad location and warrants a 4 out of 5.

Price/Quality:

We paid seven dollars this time, but that's the WIAA standard for the playoffs, so it isn't on Arrowhead.  The food truck was pretty pricey so I skipped it.  The food stand itself was where I mainly just got a couple of snacks and a hot chocolate.  The hot chocolate was good, and cheap too.  The snacks were cheap so cannot complain.  I go with what I bought so I couldn't rate the other food. Honestly, solid 4 out of 5 overall.

Review:

All in all, Taraska Stadium isn't a bad stadium at all.  I wish the crowd were more into the game than what they were but I cannot complain about the rest of it.  They score a 14, and they definitely have room to make that score go higher and I fully believe they will try to.

Football Stadium Review: Lubbers Stadium (Grand Valley State University)

 For the first time since Labor Day weekend (Okay it was literally like 6 weeks, so it wasn't a ton of time) we got out of Wisconsin for a football game. This time, we went to Michigan and to a school whose football stadium is highly rated and highly thought of and home to one of the most prestigious D2 schools in the nation.  Grand Valley State plays at Lubbers Stadium, and typically it's a raucous atmosphere awaiting their opponents.  On this day, it was Saginaw Valley State who the Lakers hosted, and the road team scored a one point victory.  This isn't to wallow in the Lakers loss, even though the end of the first half was one of the weirdest I have ever seen in my life. How did Lubbers Stadium fare? Let's find out!

Amenities:

All the amenities were there for Lubbers Stadium. Several concession and drink stands in one end zone, a hilly area for some to sit and run on, multiple bathrooms, and a 360 concourse throughout. It's honestly a very clean stadium as well and the staff are right on it for any major ordeals.  All in all, have to rate the amount of amenities and cleanliness a 5 out of 5.

Atmosphere:

I.. I thought this was a raucous bunch and the students packed this place? On this day, hardly any students came to the game. I don't know what prompted the students not to be at the game, but there were hardly any students there and the crowd that did arrive was almost like a sleepwalking group.  The most noise at any point came from the Saginaw bunch that drove to Lubbers to cheer their team on.  I'm sorry Lakers fans, you are getting wrecked on this behalf, it's worse than a 1, it's a .5 out of 5.

Location:

It's on the outskirts of the campus, which I get, but Allendale also.. isn't necessarily close to a lot of things? The football stadium has options to eat and sleep and stuff around so it's not too far from the town's center.  Overall though, 3 out of 5.

Price/Quality:

I think I paid 15 for the ticket, which ironically was the away side.  I don't remember what I paid for parking on top of that, but it's fine. I won't complain about parking for a D2 team.  What I will complain about is the price for pizza that is average at best at the game and their burger which was also average at best.  Mountain Dew that I had was.. of course.. Mountain Dew.  I can't go higher than down the middle on this, 2.5 out of five.

Review:

I'm sorry Lakers fans, I have to get on you on this. This was honestly a disappointment to go to.  Maybe it's the fact that the team couldn't get out of its own way in the game and lost by one to a team they should have beaten. Maybe it's the fact there was no energy throughout from the crowd. Maybe it's just a combination of things but I felt let down.  It's a beautiful stadium but.. I can't give you higher than an 11 for it.  I would love to come back to see possibly a more exciting game and maybe this score will change. 

Football Stadium Review: Warriors Field (Lakeside Lutheran High School)

 I never could find the name for Lakeside Lutheran's high school field, so we roll with it with Warriors Field. I was able to attend the second half of this game after the Lake Mills first half.  In actuality, you could hear the Lakeside crowd from the Lake Mills stadium when there was a big play going on. Given the schools are only a mile from each other, that may or may not be telling. How did I find this football field? Let's find on out!

Amenities:

One main concession stand in the building with the grandstand, but you have to walk inside the school to head to the bathroom.  It's a bit weird but.. it works.  The stadium is a bit narrow to go around with but it's doable.  It's a pretty wide space once you get by the grandstand.  Also there is a hill you can sit on in one of the endzones.  Overall, 4 out of 5.

Atmosphere:

Like I said, you could hear the Lakeside crowd from the Lake Mills game, and it was a positive, festive atmosphere for this game on their senior night as well, although this squad wasn't going to the playoffs.  The second half, especially the fourth quarter, was a cheerful bunch.  And the win by 15 helped the raucous crowd end on a good note.  Overall, gotta give this group a 5 out of 5!

Location:

It's only a mile-ish from Lake Mills High School and it's a touch further away from downtown.  Not necessarily a bad thing but it does knock it just slightly.  Otherwise, a lot of residential area around this stadium and it's going to result in a 3.5 out of 5.

Price/Quality:

I know the prices were on par with Lake Mills, and honestly if I didn't come in the second half I would have had to pay a fiver to get in. However, still parking would have been free which is always a good time.  I am sure the quality of the food was on Par with Lake Mills as well.  No ice cream stand to promote FFA at this one though.  Overall, still have to go 4 out of 5.

Review:

Warriors Field is a solid football stadium to go watch a team play.  The atmosphere on this season finale was electric, so kudos to the fans and the crowd for being into the game.  16.5 is not a bad score at all for you guys Lakeside Lutheran, splendid job.

Football Stadium Review: L-Cat Stadium (Lake Mills High School)

 L-Cat Stadium in Lake Mills, Wisconsin hosts the Lake Mills High School football team.  The L-Cats play in Division 4. On this Senior Night, the L-Cats had a major night, winning by 44. How did L-Cat Stadium feature here? Well I will sit and say that I went to see this game and it was for one half, and I attended a second game right after the first half was over. But let's find out below!

Amenities:

A massive food stand, with a bathroom next to it, a solid ticket window and there is an added plus for an ice cream stand outside the stadium that donated to the school's FFA on this night.  Overall, everything was pretty solid and right there for the stadium.  Also a clean facility so have to rate amenities highly, a 5 out of 5.

Atmosphere:

The L-Cat fans and students were in this game early and often, and for the first half when I was here. I am guessing it became more of an informal and more chatty crowd in the second half as it was just a game to run the clock out and enjoy Senior night overall.  For the half I was there though, have to rate it high, 4 out of 5!

Location:

Lake Mills is a bit of a weird town as a lot of the business outside of main downtown is near the interstate.  The school isn't really close to the interstate, but is close enough to downtown to walk to.  But given most high schools aren't smack dab in downtown or near an interstate, I do this essentially on proximity.  With this, another 4 out of 5 is warranted.

Price/Quality:

Ice Cream that donated to the FFA was a plus, and the ice cream was good! Overall, food was alright, not significantly great or bad.  Drinks were aplenty of options but cheap.  Also, tickets at five dollars and parking being free, never a bad thing at all.  If the food was just a touch better, it'd go higher. The way it is now, solid 4 out of 5. 

Review:

L-Cat Stadium is one of the highest rated high school stadiums on this list, and for good reason. It's a solid football stadium and atmosphere.  Given that Lake Mills has typically been a good football program, it helps the fanbase.  Overall, getting a 17 is definitely warranted.

Football Stadium Review: Raabe Stadium (Wisconsin Lutheran College)

 On the same day I visited Tomasini Stadium, I also took the trip southwest of there to Raabe Stadium, home of the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors.  After the hype of seeing one of the best games I have seen, I had to obviously temper my expectations for the upcoming matchup against, ironically, St. Norbert. This time, the Green Knights came out in front of the Warriors, avenging their loss the previous week to Concordia. This day-night double header was just.. it's football man. And how could just not love football? My marriage with football aside, let's review Raabe Stadium shall we?

Amenities:

A very clean stadium, a nice stadium as well. One main food stand through the stadium, but they also had a food truck.  Note I will mention that later in the review.  The road around the stadium also had a My24 truck, as they carried the games on their network for Warriors home games, which is honestly really neat.  The bathrooms are super clean, and the staff deserve a lot of credit for the stands also being clean and tidy. Overall, 5 out of 5.

Atmosphere:

I did this to St. Norbert, so unfortunately I have to give this to WLC as well. Listen, Milwaukee/Chicago in the MLB playoffs did WLC no justice due to them being on at the same time. Fortunately for Concordia on this day, all of it happened before the playoff game. On this day for WLC, the night game didn't do them a favor with the playoff game as well.  So the crowd was already limited in numbers (less than 400 came to the game) so they were transfixed on the playoffs.  However, most of the game, WLC did the crowd no major favors either as they only scored seven points until deep into the fourth quarter and made the game 17-14, which was the ultimate final score that they lost by.  Sorry WLC, I have to do it. 1 out of 5.

Location: 

Raabe Stadium is off of the interstate and pretty easy to get back on it. However, it's also a couple miles from campus.  I understand it is difficult to get an on-campus stadium in the Milwaukee suburbs and a lot of the athletic facilities are actually away from campus, but this does drive the number down. With it also being the Milwaukee suburbs, food and drink places and really anything isn't too far away either. We'll go down the middle on this with a 2.5 out of 5.

Price/Quality:

Okay, free parking is a plus and the ticket was fairly cheap which is another plus.  However, the pizza was pre-ordered from a pizza place and warmed up/kept warm. The drink choices were fine.  The food truck grabbed most of the attention but I didn't buy anything from there as it was too expensive for my liking.  Overall, lack of main grandstand choices puts this at a 2.5 out of 5.

Review: 

Raabe Stadium is a nice stadium, but definitely has its flaws.  The food being the main one.  They cannot do much with the location unless WLC gets a stadium that is on campus or at least significantly closer to it. I also cannot fault them when most of the populace was more focused on the Brewers over them, so this would likely be up for a revision in 2027 or 2028 like St. Norbert. For now though, 11 is the score I will give.

Football Stadium Review: Tomasini Stadium (Concordia University-Wisconsin)

 On the shores of Lake Michigan, our second stadium to have the lakefront view and this one is home to the Concordia-Wisconsin Falcons.  If you remember my most recent post, they took on St. Norbert and won that game.  However, we got to go to them in his now near middle of October matchup against Lakeland, which is the Cheese Bowl rivalry.  It was also homecoming for the Falcons, and this was evident right from the kickoff what this meant to the crowd.  How did the game fare? Well an instant classic in D3, a 41-34 OT winner for Concordia, who kept their dream season going (they would win the conference and get to the NCAA playoffs fyi).  Ironically this was the second time I had seen the stadium, as I went to Kapco Park, home of the Lakeshore Chinooks years earlier. This time, I went for a game and felt like rating it sooooo here we go!

Amenities: 

There is one main food stand, where they actually don't premake the food and wrap it up.  They had the grills going for this one, and they needed it.  There were plenty of options of food and drinks.  Overall the area seemed pretty clean, if not a bit crowded (again, it's Homecoming so I suspect this was going to be the case). The unusual thing about Tomasini Stadium is there is a parking garage behind the main press/coaches box.  My suspect guess is it is for parking near some of the halls that are near the stadium for classes and for the basketball arena nearby as well as football/baseball.  Overall, 4 out of 5 works well here.

Atmosphere:

The crowd was buzzing at the start of this one, as it was homecoming, a rivalry game and it was an over capacity crowd of over 2,000 for this game.  However, by early in the third, that over capacity crowd was stymied by a 28-7 Lakeland lead. However, the tides turned and early in the fourth the crowd was rocking again when it was 28-27.  Even after a touchdown by Lakeland, CUW came back late in the fourth to tie the game to send it to overtime.  It was a monstrous buzz of a crowd who thought hope was lost.  An OT touchdown made it more noisy but only after the game was sewn up by a Lakeland turnover did the crowd fully celebrate. Yes, homecoming does make this go up. 5 out of 5 atmosphere.

Location:

Smack dab on campus, on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a terrific view of said lake.  This isn't going to be rated lower than a 5. You literally just cannot give it lower. So obviously, it's a 5.

Price/Quality:

Free parking, massive plus. Ticket was less than 10 bucks, another massive plus. Food quality though, eh could be better but could be worse. Will rate it higher since I saw them making that food rather than it being pre-made and wrapped up. Drinks are reasonably priced and heck I got a popcorn for all the drama that is football because HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE FOOTBALL MAN? 4 out of 5.

Review:

Tomasini Stadium, like it's neighbor Kapco Field, is a wonderful stadium.  That 18 goes a long way friends. Don't think you can't get it higher. Just a couple of tweaks to your amenities and food quality and you may nail the perfect score. Overall, a sensational stadium and one that the Falcons can take great pride in.