Who has the best stadium in the state?

[AshevilleCougars]

Since nothin is being talked about, i will get somethin started, who has the best football stadium n the state? this includes the field, stands, ect...

[AshevilleCougars]

my vote will go to pisgah, tuscola, an of course asheville's, i never been really anywhere else. the one's i've seen and played on down state look like trash, not tryin to start anything. jmo the mnt's have some of the best place's to play a football game on.

[Devil'66]

Stadiums in the Asheville area are excellent. There are some in the Piedmont that are just as nice. Kannapolis, South Point, Shelby, & Crest, to mention a few. Though the capacity is not what the others are, Mooresville must be thrown in, because of its amenities (press box, field house, track & playing surface). Chris Hughes needs to chime in, he can speak for the East.

[Chris Hughes]

Here is my top list.

1. Asheville
2. Monroe
3. East Burke
4. High Point's Simeon Stadium
5. Tuscola
6. Pisgah
7. Shelby
8. Burlington Williams
9. Kannapolis
10. Morganton Freedom
11. New Hanover (Legion Stadium)
12. Richmond County
13. Crest
14. A.C. Reynolds
15. South Point
16. Scotland
17. Burns
18. Asheville Erwin
19. Concord
20. Grimsley
21. Riedsville
22. Thomasville
23. Enka
24. Pinecrest
25. Lee County
26. Mountain Heritage
27. Mooresville
28. Hoke County
29. South Brunswick
30. Douglas Byrd
31. Statesville
32. West Brunswick
33. Cummings
34. Hickory
35. Hibriten

[Chris Hughes]

The East is far behind the West in stadiums. I hate to put down the East but that's just the way it is.

I'm still adding stadiums to the database, make sure you all check it out.

CarolinaPreps.com Stadium Project

[newpride]

You're right, Chris. The East can't match the stadiums in the west--not even close. When I first came up here from SC a little over 10 years ago, I was amazed at how the stadiums didn't match up to what I saw in SC (and those were eastern stadiums I was seeing).

[nrgrad04]

In Rowan County they have pretty good stadiums except for Salisbury. The visitor side is a joke, your about 5 ft away from the sideline and if it rains the draining system seems like it doesn't work. IMO North has the best stadium because the visitor side is pretty big, nice concessing stand, and good draining system. West is pretty good but the visitor side is way to small and I hate that they cut down all the trees. It gave WR a great quality. I think Carson has a top of the line press box. In Davidson County you gotta put Cushwa Stadium #1. Lexington has a great stadium with a big enough visitor side and a awesome concessing stand. But K-town by far has the best overall stadium that I've been to hopefully soon I can see alot more stadiums.

[AshevilleCougars]

I forgot about cherokee, they just open'd a new stadium a year or two ago. real nice. the ones that haven't seen it. u should google it

[Chris Hughes]

My Rowan County stadium analyisis.

For years and years I thought South Rowan had the best stadium by a longshot, although the four directional schools are about the same. My opinion of South has changed greatly over the years due to some changes there.

South still blows the other 5 county schools away with their playing surface. They've got the best turf of any of the other schools and should me mentioned among the better ones in the state. Just like West though, I think the fact that they cut down all of the beautiful pine trees from around the field really blows.

I feel now that East Rowan has become the best looking stadium in the county. They work they've done with the brick entrance, the fresh painting, all of the brick work around the scoreboard and visitors side seating makes it a very nice place to watch a game. They've also got all or most of their pine trees still surrounding the stadium.

I think West Rowan has made wonderful changes to their stadium. The new visitors side seating has really made their stadium better. I do hate that they cut down all of the trees but they did so in order to build a new field house.

I also think North's stadium is nice but to be honest I've seen the home side deteriorate a lot and last time I was there really needed a fresh paint job. I love the fact that they've got a great field house on the field level and I also love the trees that line the track.

I don't know where you get Carson having a first class press box. I think it's a small and was put together simply because they didn't have a press box at all when the stadium was built. I also noticed that Carson had a filming platform built on the visiting side of the stadium. Carson's stadium is nothing special but it is very functional, especially with the large concessions stands.

While Salisbury's stadium does fall behind the rest of the county, it could be a very nice stadium with some TLC and some improvements. I would start with concessions stands, bathrooms, and new bleachers on the visiting side. They've got a lot of room to play with behind the visitors side to work with and could really make it into something nice. I dont think there is a problem with the home side.

[Devil'66]

Originally Posted by nrgrad04

In Rowan County they have pretty good stadiums except for Salisbury. The visitor side is a joke, your about 5 ft away from the sideline and if it rains the draining system seems like it doesn't work. IMO North has the best stadium because the visitor side is pretty big, nice concessing stand, and good draining system. West is pretty good but the visitor side is way to small and I hate that they cut down all the trees. It gave WR a great quality. I think Carson has a top of the line press box. In Davidson County you gotta put Cushwa Stadium #1. Lexington has a great stadium with a big enough visitor side and a awesome concessing stand. But K-town by far has the best overall stadium that I've been to hopefully soon I can see alot more stadiums.

You obviously haven't been to WR since the new bleachers were installed on the visitors side.

[rocketflash17]

I agree that Asheville has the best stadium in the state. I have been fortunate to travel to many high school football venues around the state, and none can match Asheville for the backdrop of the school and the mountains. I also agree that A.C. reynolds has a nice stadium also, but the home side needs an upgrade. I have to Dis-agree about Crest and Mt Heritage. I'm not impressed with the stadium at crest at all for all the tradition they have, the field is in good condition, but for the most part it's just out in the middle of no-where. Mt Heritage, fielterrible and the seating is absolutely below average. Would not make my top 100 list in the state.

[KM2ASU]

I laugh at the fact that you even have Burns or Crest (identical in case you didn't know) on a top 50 list. I didn't realize that seating capacity for 2000 people got you in on this list. Neither field has a drainage system, so in a rainy season (like last year), they both look and play like cow pastures.

[AshevilleCougars]

I agree rocketflash An with kmsasu

[btango]

Albemarle needs to spruce up their facility some but for a 1A school it has large concrete bleachers on each side with metal seating. A huge overflow standing room area. Concessions and bathrooms on each side. Dressing areas for both teams. Easy to get to. One of the better grass fields you will find and they do a great job with the painting.

[hc7450]

I've coached for 26 years in North Carolina and I think Asheville, Simeon, Legion (Wilmington), Scotland, Williams and Grimsley are the best.

[CoachP]

I think Carson has a top of the line press box.



Have you lost your mind? Your talking about the mini trailer on top of the home stands right? The one with the door to nowhere? I talked to the guys at Carson on the sideline this past year and they said that it was something they through up in a weekend.

[btango]

I like Scotland better than Richmond.

The faux paus of football stadiums are the ones built in CMS for the newer schools. Limited seating, almost no standing room, and dog houses with windows for pressboxes.

For a stadium to be great I prefer one without a track. The old Albemarle Stadium was my all time favorite. I also like Maiden's old stadium. A lot of character in those.

[sphs92]

Originally Posted by Chris Hughes

My Rowan County stadium analyisis.

For years and years I thought South Rowan had the best stadium by a longshot, although the four directional schools are about the same. My opinion of South has changed greatly over the years due to some changes there.

I think you are still upset because South moved their silver game pants to practice pants.

[sphs92]

I agree that Carson does NOT have a top of the line press box. People need to get out more!

[Chris Hughes]

Originally Posted by sphs92

I think you are still upset because South moved their silver game pants to practice pants.

Yeah, you know I'm still upset about that one. I'm just ready to see some white pants with the same stripe pattern on the side like back in the old days!!!

[K63]

Chris is always wanting to go retro.

I can only go by the stadiums I've personally seen and Asheville has to be right up there at the top.

[rocketflash17]

Chris,
What was the criteria you used to rank these stadiums, then i will make another comment, based on observations of the stadium project.

[ahscougar1]

I realize I am probably a little biased, but I have been to a majority of these stadiums listed and Asheville has without question the best stadium and it's not even close.

[Chris Hughes]

All of the stadiums I listed other than Mountain Heritage I've been to. I saw a photo of MH and saw they had a decent home side so I added them. That's my mistake.

I just based them off of size, how nice they were, how clean they were, and how well they were kept. This isn't a perfect ranking, and I know I've left some out. Just help me add to the list or make corrections.

[Chris Hughes]

Originally Posted by ahscougar1

I realize I am probably a little biased, but I have been to a majority of these stadiums listed and Asheville has without question the best stadium and it's not even close.

I do think some are close and on same playing field with Asheville. I seriously would put Kannapolis Memorial Stadium up against Asheville anyday. But Asheville is a fantastic facility.

[Chris Hughes]

Originally Posted by Chris Hughes

I do think some are close and on same playing field with Asheville. I seriously would put Kannapolis Memorial Stadium up against Asheville anyday. But Asheville is a fantastic facility.

Here is the Kannapolis Memorial Stadium page.

[Chris Hughes]

I forgot Maiden's new stadium. It should be added to the list.

http://carolinapreps.com/ssp/maiden_stadium

[rocketflash17]

My Top Twenty
1.Asheville High
2.Cherokee
3.Watauga,
4.Kannapolis
5.Pinecrest
6.Simeon
7.Legion
8.Pisgah
9.Tuscola
10.East Burke
11.Freedom
12.McDowell
13.South Point
14.Mooresville
15.Scotland
16.Grimsley
17.Clyde A. Erwin
18.Concord
19.Ashbrook
20.A.C.Reynolds

[rocketflash17]

Pisgah and tuscola have nice stadiums, but they are not on campus, i believe this takes away from the stadium experience, even though both stadiums spark up nostalgia. Canton Memorial is a little more than a1/4 mile from the stadium, not that bad, but tuscola is almost 10 miles from the high school, they have the capacity to build a stadium on campus that would be phenomenal, but I guess the nostalgia of c.e.weatherby trumps convenience.
I also believe that a field house enhances the stadium, hence Pinecrest, East Burke, McDowell, and C.A.Erwin make my list for that reason. The top five encompass all of the above, 1. on campus, 2, Field house convenient to stadium, and the fields are in immaculate condition. I bet Pinecrest surprises a lot of people.

[Chris Hughes]

Pinecrest has first class faclities, no doubt.

[HOUNDS from the HOLLOW]

I beleive Statesville should be in your list rocketflash.

[Boyden_YJ_Hornets]

Originally Posted by nrgrad04

In Rowan County they have pretty good stadiums except for Salisbury. The visitor side is a joke, your about 5 ft away from the sideline and if it rains the draining system seems like it doesn't work. IMO North has the best stadium because the visitor side is pretty big, nice concessing stand, and good draining system. West is pretty good but the visitor side is way to small and I hate that they cut down all the trees. It gave WR a great quality. I think Carson has a top of the line press box. In Davidson County you gotta put Cushwa Stadium #1. Lexington has a great stadium with a big enough visitor side and a awesome concessing stand. But K-town by far has the best overall stadium that I've been to hopefully soon I can see alot more stadiums.

Salisbury does have something that no other stadium in Rowan County has and that's a winning tradition. North has turned into a dump and West is only slightly better because of the addition of new bleachers.

[Chris Hughes]

Originally Posted by Boyden_YJ_Hornets

Salisbury does have something that no other stadium in Rowan County has and that's a winning tradition. North has turned into a dump and West is only slightly better because of the addition of new bleachers.

Salisbury's stadium isn't bad but it isn't great either, at least not the visitors side.

[Chris Hughes]

Originally Posted by HOUNDS from the HOLLOW

I beleive Statesville should be in your list rocketflash.

You're right, Statesville has a fantastic stadium.

[Chris Hughes]

Here are some of the better stadiums in NC that I have photos for. They're in no particular order.


Burns


Crest Stadium


Shelby Stadium


Kings Mountain Stadium


Lincolnton Stadium


Maiden Stadium


East Burke Stadium


Morganton Freedom Stadium


Eastern Randolph Stadium


Thomasville Stadium


North Davidson Stadium


Deaton Thompson Stadium (R.J.Reynolds/Parkland)


Grimsley Stadium


Simeon Stadium (Andrews/HP Central)


Burlington Williams Stadium


Mooresville Stadium


Concord Stadium


South Point Stadium


South Rowan Stadium


Hoke County Stadium


Pinecrest Stadium


Richmond County Stadium


Scotland County Stadium


Lee County Stadium


Wilmington New Hanover Stadium


West Brunswick Stadium


Douglas Byrd Stadium


Asheville Erwin Stadium


A.C. Reynolds Stadium


Pisgah Stadium

[CoachP]

when playing there I didn't think so, but East Gaston has a pretty nice place...a few upgrades to the stands and it would be awesome

[insider]

Originally Posted by Chris Hughes

Here are some of the better stadiums in NC that I have photos for. They're in no particular order.


Lee County Stadium

With some love and attention and fresh paint, Lee County could have one of the best stadiums in the state.

[MHSblueDevilsARE#1]

Mooresville

[CoachP]

wish we could turn this into a poll...

[Chris Hughes]

We can....very easy. Let us get a few more dozen responses from fans and we'll get a poll started. I'm about to leave Augusta GA to drive home, maybe when I get home tonight I'll add the poll.

[Chris Hughes]

CoachP, one thing is for certian, North Iredell sure does have a nice pressbox.

[thadammann]

I can try and get you some pics of James Kenan, North Duplin, and Wallace-Rose Hill in the next couple of weeks and email them to you. WRH has a very nice 1A stadium!

[CoachP]

yeah its definately one of the nicest ones I've been around, the new field house is pretty sweet too. I didn't figure out how big that thing was until late last year.

My Top 5 Stadiums (not limited to 3A)
1. South Point- That place is bigger then some Gaston Co. towns most Friday nights, and there's not a bad seat in the palce.
2. South Rowan- Coming off that visitor bus, and looking up into those stands is pretty cool, something about the angle with them or something makes it look cool. Visitor stands could use some work, but still pretty cool.
3. Kannapolis Brown- The monument dedicated to the fallen is something special, that itself makes the place take a spot on my list.
4. Shelby- The brick work done on the home side is just something I admire, you don't see a lot of that now days, and they seem to really have preserved what they have. Unless its been built recently.
5. Lincolnton- Its almost like a smaller version of South Point, cozy and gives a great environment to fans.

Things to think about:
-Don't like how Asheville's press box is not centered.
-Think Carson has got a great start, just looks like they ran out of money.
-East Rowan could upgrade the visiting side
-Statesville is just on the outside of my list, and with that school being upgraded here lately I would assume the football stadium may come soon.
-North has a nice field house and press box, just need to work on our stands a little bit
-Others I thought about: Ashbrook, Erwin, Eastern Alamance, Burns, and Newton-Conover

[twinpeeks]

Ni upgraded the bathrooms after i ripped them a couple years ago,they were pathetic

[Chris Hughes]

Originally Posted by twinpeeks

Ni upgraded the bathrooms after i ripped them a couple years ago,they were pathetic

I'm glad to see you can get things done. I'm going to send you a list of other schools to attack so they can get fixed up!!!

[brevard'04grad]

I like Asheville's the best out of the stadiums I've seen. I liked North Meck's stadium when I went to a game this past year.

[mbdfan]

Out of the ones I've been to I definitely like Asheville's the best. As far as 1A schools nobody tops Cherokee's stadium. It ranks near the the top regardless of classification. Would be nice if they had a little more history and tradition to go with it though.

[Smoothieking]

Since everyone is pretty much sticking to the western side of the state, I want to nominate Rocky Mount's stadium as one of the best. The seating capacity is pretty good on both sides. NC Wesleyan plays their home games there. Parking is also plentiful as it is on the site of an old airport.

[Chris Hughes]

Too bad that I beleive Rocky Mount will stop using that stadium once the new school is built.

[BloedOranje]

Here are some from Cherokee that I took this fall.