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89morrisgrad

Redshirt
Oct 11, 2012
76
28
18
Good morning to everyone!

I am SURE this has been covered somewhere in the past but I was hoping I could get a quicker answer this way.

I have heard that the Montini visitors stands are very, very limited so seating will be at a premium. I was planning on going this Saturday but I do not really feel like getting there 60-90 minutes early. I thought I had heard that you can bring your own chairs into the facility to use for seating. Is this true? Would this be a better or safer option? Normally, I would just stand along the fence BUT with my age (mid 50's) and history of back issues, standing for 2 hours or more without sitting will cause the pain/uncomfortableness to outweigh the enjoyment of watching the game. Any advice or answers are greatly appreciated!!!
 
R

RPG24

Junior
Nov 9, 2021
519
279
40
I was the the Byron game at montini last year, there seemed to be many home side seats available in the stands for that big game
 
W

Wassup13

Sophomore
Jul 19, 2017
190
133
43
RPG24 said:
I was the the Byron game at montini last year, there seemed to be many home side seats available in the stands for that big game
Click to expand...

I think a large percentage of the student body is active in multiple activities at school and have a hard time making it to the games this time of the year. Fall sports ending and Winter sports begin all at the same time.
 
A

Anon1753850091

Freshman
Jul 29, 2025
35
58
18
Wassup13 said:
I think a large percentage of the student body is active in multiple activities at school and have a hard time making it to the games this time of the year. Fall sports ending and Winter sports begin all at the same time.
Click to expand...
And let's be honest. Attendance at HS sporting events, and football in particular, is just way down for everyone over the last decade. I have seen pictures of just about every quarterfinal game from the beautiful weather this past weekend and attendance was either patchy or just "fine."

We live in a world now where MC plays in a facility that holds a couple thousand and JC is looking to build their own facility that holds half of what their current stadium holds. These are two programs that, in the past, could pack in 12,000 for a big game. That hasn't happened in well over a decade and I don't see it ever coming back.

I agree that kids in multiple commitments keeps student section attendance down. Private schools have the double hammer of multiple commitments and vastly smaller enrollments compared to 20 years ago. But streaming is also a culprit in this. For as convenient and connected as it can make people who aren't in the immediate area, it can also crush the atmosphere and environment. As a casual observer to certain games, there have been dozens of games I have considered going to that I decided to watch from home due to weather, other commitments, etc. Great for me. Not so great for a HS kid looking up in the stands and knowing that hundreds or thousands of people who "should" be there just aren't and they are never coming back.

I worry that a large part of my passion for HS football comes from how big a deal it was, how much it mattered to communities, and how excellent turnout was for big games in a bygone era. Without that draw, I have concerns about the future of the game and how it might not "hook" this generation.
 
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O

Oldsole

Redshirt
Nov 19, 2025
2
6
0
89morrisgrad said:
Good morning to everyone!

I am SURE this has been covered somewhere in the past but I was hoping I could get a quicker answer this way.

I have heard that the Montini visitors stands are very, very limited so seating will be at a premium. I was planning on going this Saturday but I do not really feel like getting there 60-90 minutes early. I thought I had heard that you can bring your own chairs into the facility to use for seating. Is this true? Would this be a better or safer option? Normally, I would just stand along the fence BUT with my age (mid 50's) and history of back issues, standing for 2 hours or more without sitting will cause the pain/uncomfortableness to outweigh the enjoyment of watching the game. Any advice or answers are greatly appreciated!!!
Click to expand...
The visitor bleachers extend from 20yd line to 20 yd line. There typically are additional bleachers,seating in east end zone for visitors. Pretty sure no chairs allowed. Several years ago Genesseo came to Montini for a semi. I believe they brought the entire town. Everyone appeared to get a seat.
 
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B

Bubbajoesam

Redshirt
Apr 26, 2015
7
12
3
Morris just understand. Warm up on the turf. They ask you to warm up on the grass. But the grass has massive Goose droppings all over the field. No clue why they would do that. For such an elite program you would think they would treat visiting teams with more respect.
 
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8

89morrisgrad

Redshirt
Oct 11, 2012
76
28
18
Oldsole said:
The visitor bleachers extend from 20yd line to 20 yd line. There typically are additional bleachers,seating in east end zone for visitors. Pretty sure no chairs allowed. Several years ago Genesseo came to Montini for a semi. I believe they brought the entire town. Everyone appeared to get a seat.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much. Very helpful info. I think my buddy and myself plan on getting there between 1-115 to try to find parking and get a seat. It sounds like we shouldn't have much trouble...getting a seat that is. I heard parking might be a little trickier. (y)
 
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S

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,294
3,191
113
89morrisgrad said:
Thank you very much. Very helpful info. I think my buddy and myself plan on getting there between 1-115 to try to find parking and get a seat. It sounds like we shouldn't have much trouble...getting a seat that is. I heard parking might be a little trickier. (y)
Click to expand...
Parking can fill up but there are neighborhoods right near by that you can park on. I wouldn't worry much about it.
 
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Q

Quags22

Senior
Aug 15, 2006
2,257
901
113
Anon1753850091 said:
And let's be honest. Attendance at HS sporting events, and football in particular, is just way down for everyone over the last decade. I have seen pictures of just about every quarterfinal game from the beautiful weather this past weekend and attendance was either patchy or just "fine."

We live in a world now where MC plays in a facility that holds a couple thousand and JC is looking to build their own facility that holds half of what their current stadium holds. These are two programs that, in the past, could pack in 12,000 for a big game. That hasn't happened in well over a decade and I don't see it ever coming back.

I agree that kids in multiple commitments keeps student section attendance down. Private schools have the double hammer of multiple commitments and vastly smaller enrollments compared to 20 years ago. But streaming is also a culprit in this. For as convenient and connected as it can make people who aren't in the immediate area, it can also crush the atmosphere and environment. As a casual observer to certain games, there have been dozens of games I have considered going to that I decided to watch from home due to weather, other commitments, etc. Great for me. Not so great for a HS kid looking up in the stands and knowing that hundreds or thousands of people who "should" be there just aren't and they are never coming back.

I worry that a large part of my passion for HS football comes from how big a deal it was, how much it mattered to communities, and how excellent turnout was for big games in a bygone era. Without that draw, I have concerns about the future of the game and how it might not "hook" this generation.
Click to expand...
The only game that was l at was the playoff opener on Halloween. All the others have been full, or very close to it.
 
U

USD24

All-American
May 29, 2001
5,440
5,213
113
Quags22 said:
The only game that was l at was the playoff opener on Halloween. All the others have been full, or very close to it.
Click to expand...
Dave Chapelle GIF by MOODMAN
 
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Catch-22

Catch-22

Freshman
Aug 23, 2005
67
77
18
I wouldn’t consider the visiting stands limited…. I arrived 45 minutes early Saturday and the lot was still only half full. With Naz, DGN, and Franny still alive, the casual fans will have other options. I don’t think you need to be there 90 minutes early.
If you want to see the horsey run out and get freaked out by the fireworks, 30 minutes early is plenty.
 
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I

IHSAfan207

Freshman
Sep 9, 2024
87
64
18
Parking is limited plan on walking some. Here is a pic from last year's Byron/Montini game for crowd/space reference.
 

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8

89morrisgrad

Redshirt
Oct 11, 2012
76
28
18
Catch-22 said:
I wouldn’t consider the visiting stands limited…. I arrived 45 minutes early Saturday and the lot was still only half full. With Naz, DGN, and Franny still alive, the casual fans will have other options. I don’t think you need to be there 90 minutes early.
If you want to see the horsey run out and get freaked out by the fireworks, 30 minutes early is plenty.
Click to expand...

I am glad I asked. I had heard conflicting stories so I figured here was the best place to ask the question. I think we will likely arrive around 45 minutes early so sounds like that will work out well.
 
C

cornerrat#1

Junior
Jul 1, 2025
358
351
63
All.... Years ago SHG and Montini would play each other in week one rotating away and home in a non con game. Many Cyclones fans made the trip up. Seating and parking was never an issue. Loved those toll booths and the drivers roaring down 355 faster then nascar drivers on a track. 🏎️ Ratsy
 
D

Doctor_D

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2016
2,876
2,462
113
Huskie2015 said:
Montini visitor stands are best place in Illinois to watch HS football IMO. No track between the stands and field, close up.
Click to expand...
IDK about best in the state, but the visitor seating is definitely solid. Very close to the action. The bleachers are only about 6 rows, but stretch from about the 25 to 25.
 
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G

Gestalt45

Freshman
Oct 26, 2023
115
68
28
Bubbajoesam said:
Morris just understand. Warm up on the turf. They ask you to warm up on the grass. But the grass has massive Goose droppings all over the field. No clue why they would do that. For such an elite program you would think they would treat visiting teams with more respect.
Click to expand...
Both teams warm up on the grass during regular season because JV game is usually being played on the turf. For Playoffs both teams warm up on the turf
 
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