Whether it’s Comiskey Park or U.S. Cellular Field or Guaranteed Rate Field, the song title changes, but the melody remains the same. It was college football not Major League baseball at Sox Park tonight, but it didn’t help ticket sales. This was the very first event, a NIU football game versus MAC conference rival Toledo, held under the new name Guaranteed Rate Field, but attendance was just as poor as it usually is for White Sox home games.
It was a very entertaining and exciting contest, in which NIU led an overwhelming majority, but went on to lose 31-24.
You’re going to hear a lot of jokes about that deeply unpopular and tendency to go viral new ballpark name, “Guaranteed Low Attendance Rate Field,” or High Empty Seat Rate Field.
#BetterSoxStadiumNames
Announced attendance at Guaranteed Rate Field 10,180#MACtion #niuhuskies #toledo
Also, I'm 6-6, 250, bench 500, run a 4.3 40 yard dash— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) November 10, 2016
Yes, the announced attendance was over 10,000 but reality appeared to be more in the neighborhood of 4-6,000 approximately. Sure Wednesday night football, and college football at that, seems kind of weird, but this was more than just “a game,” it was “an event.” It was a game with a nickname “the Chi-Town Showdown,” and a special logo.
NIU wore special uniforms which were pretty sweet, and new helmets that were totally boss.
And there were lots of great photo-opps.
Look at the pretty #autumn leaves!! It could be a long time until we see a sporting event here again w/ fall #foliage ???? #MACtion pic.twitter.com/G5NJGIZwrN
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) November 10, 2016
No, no we did not get a ton of late arriving fans #MACtion #NIU #toledo cc @NotKenWilliams pic.twitter.com/FfdVbpaaC9
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) November 10, 2016
So what was it like playing football in a baseball stadium? (The very first in the history of the ballpark nonetheless)
“Same field, had to adjust a little bit, but at the end of the day, just another game for us,” said Toledo quarterback Logan Whiteside, who finished 23-33 passing for 286 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
“Pretty cool environment, pretty cool deal, hats off to those who put this together, it’s a neat experience when you get to play in a stadium that hosted a World Series,” said Toledo Coach Jason Candle.
“We had a little more success here that my Red Sox did,” he added.
We also got the perspective of NIU football coach Rod Carey:
“I couldn’t be happier with the venue, how it was done. i thought it was decent turnout, I was hoping for more. Certainly happy with the event, in spite of the loss.”
“It’s different from Soldier Field in terms of the layout and where the fans are,” added Carey, who’s program played both Wisconsin and Iowa at the home of the Chicago Bears in recent years. Toledo ended their six game losing streak against the NIU football program with this win.
The loss was also the seventh on the season for the Huskies, thus eliminating from them bowl contention. NIU football is now 0-4 in games played in Chicago (including 0-3 at Soldier Field).
I really really really really needed a reason to smile again today!! This will do #WorldSeries ??? ?????????? pic.twitter.com/czalNW92G6
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) November 10, 2016
All in all, it was a really fun experience and exciting for everybody involved. Hopefully Northern Illinois is able to do this again in future years. Of course, with attendance so poor this time around it might not happen again, and that would be a real shame.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.