The Top 12 Drone-Worthy Stadiums in College Football
by John Egan
At the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium, tailgating transforms into “sailgating.” The university is one of three schools in the U.S. (the others are the University of Tennessee and Baylor University) where you can arrive at the football stadium by boat.
On game day, Husky Harbor, which adjoins the University of Washington’s stadium, can accommodate as many as 150 boats. The ability to “sailgate” complements the game-day experience at Husky Stadium. Overlooking Lake Washington, the stadium affords killer views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.
Imagine, then, capturing aerial video or photos of Husky Stadium in all of its game-day glory. Thanks to camera-equipped drones, it’s possible to nab those images, but colleges and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) frown on it. Nonetheless, we’ve crowned Husky Stadium the Most Drone-Worthy Stadium in College Football.
For the record, federal law prohibits drones from flying at or below 3,000 feet above the ground within a three-mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of at least 30,000 during an NCAA Division I football game. That law covers the period stretching from one hour before to one hour after the game. In other words, don’t expect to buzz your favorite college football stadium while fans are in the stands and players are on the field.
With the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium soaring above the rest, here’s our ranking of the Top 12 Drone-Worthy Stadiums in College Football.
1. University of Washington
Husky Stadium
Why: The aerials views are stunning. ’Nuff said.
Photo: Pinterest/Washington Huskies
2. University of Colorado
Folsom Field
Boulder, CO
Why: The Rocky Mountains are right there!
Photo: TicketOffices
3. Brigham Young University
LaVell Edwards Stadium
Provo, UT
Why: “Some of the most breathtaking views at any college football stadium may be found at LaVell Edwards Stadium, with the Rocky Mountains surrounding the stadium,” the College Gridirons website says.
Photo: Brigham Young University
4. Michigan Stadium
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Why: The overhead game-day view of the largest college football stadium, with a seating capacity of 107,601, is really cool.
Photo: MGoBlue.com
5. Rose Bowl
UCLA
Pasadena, CA
Why: The Rose Bowl -- which hosts the oldest bowl game in college football, a game known as “The Granddaddy of Them All” -- is pretty grand in its own right.
6. Georgia Tech
Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field
Why: “Cozily nestled among Atlanta's skyscrapers, Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field is easily one of the nation’s most unique settings for college football,” the university says.
Photo: M-Communications
7. University of Texas
Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Austin, TX
Why: Making for a great skyline shot, the UT Tower and the Texas State Capitol, along with the skyscrapers of downtown Austin, stand near the stadium.
8. University of Tennessee
Neyland Stadium
Knoxville, TN
Why: Situated along the Tennessee River, this venue is home to Volunteer“sailgating” tradition, making for some awesome aerial shots.
Photo: University of Tennessee
9. Rice-Eccles Stadium
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Why: The stadium sits in the shadow of the picturesque Wasatch Mountains.
10. Maverik Stadium
Utah State University
Logan, UT
Why: Like its counterpart in Salt Lake City, Maverik Stadium offers a stellar view of the mountains -- in this case, the Bear River Mountains.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
11. McLane Stadium
Baylor University
Waco, TX
Why: McLane Stadium may be a newcomer to “sailgating,” but that doesn’t diminish the sight of dozens of boats in the Brazos River clustering near the venue on game days.
12. Sun Devil Stadium
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
Why: “A” Mountain, also known as Tempe-Hayden Butte, looms over Sun Devil Stadium, serving as a university landmark.
Photo: Tricon American Homes
Top photo: Sports Video Group