I have been to more than my fair share of college football games in a career that spans more than three decades.

But I would be hard pressed to find one as enjoyable as the Western Michigan game last Friday night.

Now there are plenty of other things I could have been doing the day after Thanksgiving, but because I do not go shopping on Black Friday, I decided earlier in the week to make it a Brown and Gold Friday night by covering the Broncos and the Toledo Rockets.

It was one of the best choices I have ever made.

Was it the biggest football game I have ever been to?

Of course not.

I was there for the “Bush push” when USC defeated Notre Dame. I have been to several Michigan-Ohio State games. I was there for the “Catholics vs. Convicts” game between Notre Dame and the University of Miami.

Those were all great games and they were fun to watch and cover.

But going to a game at Michigan Stadium, Spartan Stadium or Notre Dame Stadium after time gets to be more of a job than I would like to admit.

You have to leave for the game hours before kickoff to make sure you get a decent parking space, even if you have a parking pass.

You then sit for hours in the press box trying to find things to do while you wait for the actual kickoff, even if you took the time to stop by a friend’s tailgate on the way into the stadium.

Plus, after several hours of watching the game and taking notes, you have to weave your way through fans who have done a bit too much celebrating on the way to the press room and then back to your car.

None of that happened Friday night.

Photographer Amelio Rodriguez and myself headed to Kalamazoo. We had no issues getting to Waldo Stadium and the press box parking lot.

Despite not knowing where to go to pick up our credentials for the game, we found it easy enough as workers at the game were helpful and friendly.

We did find it weird that despite no credentials, we were already in the stadium traversing what seemed like a million steps, both up and down.

Once we picked up our credentials and got the car parked in the appropriate lot, we settled in and waited for the start of the game, which was less than an hour away.

We did not leave four hours early, sit in traffic waiting to get near the stadium nor did we have to weave our way through loud-mouthed fans letting everyone know who they were rooting for.

While the press box is not nearly as big as Michigan, Michigan States or Notre Dames, the Waldo Stadium media area is nice. There was not ride up eight floors to the pressroom and despite being full, did not seem crowded.

I have joked for years that you judge a football program by the quality of its food.

Western Michigan measured up in that area too.

I even sent a message by our General Manager Ambrosia Neldon, a Bronco alum, that the food met muster and she could be proud.

Although the game got out of hand early in the second half, it was great being there to see WMU senior Corey Davis set a new FBS all-time record for total receiving yardage and to hear that the Broncos had established a new single-season attendance record.

I would venture a guess that I have not covered as Western game in more than 20 years. In hindsight, it was too long.

Just as when we arrived, the drive home was without challenge.

We even had time to make a stop at my favorite donut shop — Sweetwaters.

Although I have no idea when I will be back to cover the Broncos, it is safe to say it will not be another two decades.

I only wish there was a local player on the roster that we could have featured Friday night.

Perhaps that is in my future as well.

 

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.