Coolest High School Stadiums

[bjaynes]

There are some historic high school football stadiums in NKY. Then there are ones with a lot of creature comforts like Dixie's entrance plaza and Beechwood's new multi-level field house behind their bench. Which stadium is your favorite?

[Clyde]

I've always said the best pure environment is in Ft Thomas. I love the setting with the fans right on top of the action and the way the sound reverberates off of the buildings.

 

BW has a great setting as well and the new fieldhouse is about as nice as it gets.

 

I also like Newport stadium. I like Bellevue's stadium.

 

From aesthetics standpoint Ryle's is great.

 

Dixie's does nothing for me. Visiting stands are simply awful. Other stands too far away from the field.

[gchs_uk9]

I did a driving tour of NKY stadiums a couple summers ago and saw nearly all of them. I really liked Dayton, Bellevue, Newport, and Ludlow, just because they are old and have seen so many big games through the years.

 

I thought Beechwood and Highlands were unique.

 

Boone County was nice from my vantage point. So was Ryle.

 

But the only places I've actually watched a game from is Lloyd Memorial and Highlands, so my comments are mostly aesthetics, and some others might be better on game night.

[RocketLandFan]

I did a driving tour of NKY stadiums a couple summers ago and saw nearly all of them. I really liked Dayton, Bellevue, Newport, and Ludlow, just because they are old and have seen so many big games through the years.

 

I thought Beechwood and Highlands were unique.

 

Boone County was nice from my vantage point. So was Ryle.

 

But the only places I've actually watched a game from is Lloyd Memorial and Highlands, so my comments are mostly aesthetics, and some others might be better on game night.

 

Have you even made it to the western part of the state? There are some pretty neat stadiums down here also. A few that come to mind are at Mayfields War Memorial Stadium. I think it was built during the works programs of the depression, it is old and neat on Friday Nights. Two others that are newer but neat are the Stadium of Champions, where Hopkinsville and Christian Co. play, and Paducah Tilghman's stadium. If you are ever down this way you should check them out!

[bjaynes]

I would love to see the "west side" venues. I will be going to Elizabethtown (more middle than west) in a few weeks when Beechwood visits. Hopefully I will be making the trip to Mayfield as well for the semi-final. Have a ways to go yet before I can plan on that though.

[DragonFire]

I haven't been to the nicer stadiums up north, but my favorite in the western half of the state is the Stadium of Champions BY FAR. Always has been.

 

I do like Rhea Stadium in Russellville. Both because of its age and its quirks. The right end zone doesn't have enough room, so the back corner runs up an incline.

[bjaynes]

Speaking of end zones.....the one corner at Ludlow High's field is unique. There is a paved walkway that wraps around behind the endzone and heads down to the stands. Due to the lack of room (and maybe planning) the paved walkway cuts across the corner of the endzone along with a fence that separates the playing field from the walk. On top of the paved walk they have painted the corner of the endzone that has been cut off and it's on the other side of the fence. I am wondering if a player hops the fence and catches a ball inside the painted corner on the walk if the score will be legit? Technically it's in the regulation field of play.

[bjaynes]

My bad on the last end zone post. I meant to say "Dayton High School".

[Clyde]

Speaking of end zones.....the one corner at Ludlow High's field is unique. There is a paved walkway that wraps around behind the endzone and heads down to the stands. Due to the lack of room (and maybe planning) the paved walkway cuts across the corner of the endzone along with a fence that separates the playing field from the walk. On top of the paved walk they have painted the corner of the endzone that has been cut off and it's on the other side of the fence. I am wondering if a player hops the fence and catches a ball inside the painted corner on the walk if the score will be legit? Technically it's in the regulation field of play.

 

Newport Stadium used to be the same way.

[THUNDERBIRDS]

Highlands......LOL!

[mudruds1136]

Way too much history at Putnam stadium in Ashland for it not to be a part of the best/coolest in the state....plus the horse shoe type stadium is awesome

[THEDUDEABIDES]

I am biased toward Bellevue's Stadium. It is one of the oldest around in Northern Kentucky. It has seen it's fair share of great football games, track meets (all the Bellevue Invitationals), and was even the host to the state track meet and state tennis tournaments a few times. It has some of the nicest tennis courts around (6 quality ones). Even though it is not as fancy as Highlands, Dixie, Beechwood's. It still has it's flair and historical value.

[KentuckyJoe]

I think Ryle is best looking, with a lot of open space around the field to keep improving. I like the football feel of the Newport and yes Dayton. Granted at Dayton half of the endzone is a brick wall. I like how people can sit u on the hill and watch the game and right on top of the field. At Newport people up in parking lot and nobody tailgates like NewCath fans. Newport is an old stadium with new improvements to bathrooms field turf and food and drink. I also like how you can hear NewCath sing their victory song as the bus pulls away after a big win. I kind of like that old time feel.

[Theoldguy]

I liked the old Johnson Central Stadium in 2006. High School football at it's best!

[mudruds1136]

Ryle needs more stands!!! Way too many children running around on the hills on the end zone end and near the field house. Plus it gets too packed up near the restroom and consession area. But all in all its a very nice place to play football on a friday night with the farm land and open space around the stadium. If Ryle added more seating it could be one of the best places to play in the state with the new field and all.