Went a couple of times when the Giants trained in Albany. I actually met Fassel when he was exiting some building just as my old man & I were passing by. He was super nice & I remember he was much taller than I thought.
I wouldn't go out of my way to attend.
I think it was much better in Albany.
Most likely long lines for anything you would want, especially autographs.
It was better in Albany, but things have changed:
1) The CBA pretty much took away hitting/contact. And 2 practices a day. So you'll be seeing drills, 7 on 7's and stuff like that. I think the scrimmages against other teams have a bit more contact, though.
2) Albany is much cooler than Quest. Albany was mostly grass, both for the players and fans, plus a lot of trees for shade. Quest is basically built on a parking lot (except for the fields), so it can get beastly hot, so bring lots of water and sunscreen. I know the stands are shaded, but there's a LOT of hot air coming from the massive parking lots at the Meadowlands.
3) Albany had better access to players, 100%. You had autograph alley, where kids could come right up to players as they came on the field and left, so autographs were easy to get. I think Quest went to kids only scheduled autograph times after there was an incident, so kids will have to wait in line.
4) Sight lines. In Albany, you could walk around with your folding chair, as they moved field to field. Getting close to the fence was easy. In Quest, you're stuck in the stands, unless you want to lose your seat. That's a PIA, as you can't see all the action as well on multiple fields.
5) Kids activities...Albany had a ton of stuff for kids. To be fair, I haven't been to Quest in a while, and I know they were working on that. I'm sure one of the BBI contingent who go to Quest can update what they are doing.
6) Security...Albany didn't have scanning stations, or bag inspections. Quest did at the time I went, so expect to wait in line while they go through bags. I understand the security aspect, but it's still a PIA.
It sucked losing Albany, but the new CBA pretty much ensured that, with the shorter practice dates (SUNY didn't want them if they were only going to be there eight days, and it became expensive for the Giants to move all their stuff there). I miss open practices that went 3-4 weeks!
It is what it is. As I said, make sure you pack lots of water, sunscreen, hats, and maybe a seat cushion. Bring Binoculars for seeing the other fields (I think there were three), and maybe books/ipads for the kids. And maybe a battery backup for your phone, if that's allowed.
In any case, CHECK THE GIANTS/QUEST WEBSITE so you know what you can bring..and call them for clarification if you're not sure! It's a long trek back to the car if you have to bring stuff back to the car, and then get in line again!
From the Giants Training Camp Section (under FAQ):
Quote:
Guests are welcome to carry-in:
One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12" x 6" x 12", OR
A one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar) AND
In addition to one of the clear bags noted above, you may also carry in a small clutch bag, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a strap.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the practice entry gates.
Strollers will be permitted for this event but are subject to search.
Helmets and footballs will be permitted for this event but are subject to search.
Guests may not carry-in the following items:
Purses larger than a clutch bag, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags, camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.
Bottles, cans, coolers, thermoses or ice chests
Alcohol of any kind
Weapons or anything that can be used as a projectile or is deemed dangerous
Laser pointers or Frisbees
Single-purpose video cameras or still-photography cameras with a lens longer than 6"
Any animal with the exception of a service animal
Any other item deemed inappropriate at the discretion of management
Is how well you can see the practice from the stands. It’s too bad they abandoned Albany, that always seemed like a fun scene to me for the fans, and as I recall you could see the practice pretty well.
If Mara really cares about the fans he’d focus his efforts on making the fan training camp an enjoyable experience for the fans. Instead of moping about Barkley. I’m not holding my breath here.
but remember a blistering hot day at camp when my wife and I passed two young ladies. They were miserable. One turned to the other and said,"I'd rather stay home and rot."
Is how well you can see the practice from the stands. It’s too bad they abandoned Albany, that always seemed like a fun scene to me for the fans, and as I recall you could see the practice pretty well.
If Mara really cares about the fans he’d focus his efforts on making the fan training camp an enjoyable experience for the fans. Instead of moping about Barkley. I’m not holding my breath here.
I don't understand this post. Your question about seeing the practice implies you haven't gone before. Yet you're dumping on the owner for it being a bad experience?
To your question, I'd say being in the last row of the bleachers is like sitting 20 rows back from the sideline at Metlife.
I took my kids for the first time when my son was maybe 4 or 5. We we go every year (except for covid). My son, now 9, was asking me almost daily when this year's schedule will be out, needless to say we enjoy it and are excited to go back.
It's geared for families, watching practice is basically at the bottom of my list. The kids autograph session is at the top. I'm printing a picture of my son with Gano from camp a couple years ago, hope to get it signed.
It certainly is material. Much of BBI went to Albany during the 16 years the Giants were there. Some went to FDU, and can share their experiences there.
And there are certainly BBI'ers that have gone to Albany but not to Quest. They should be aware that things are VERY different at Quest, should they decide to go.
I think the better solution, if you wanted to move camp closer to the Meadowlands, but still wanted a fan friendly and great experience for fans would have been making arrangements with FDU or Rutgers.
The Giants do the best they can with Quest, but it's simply not going to give you..or your kids..the experience you would get from a University setting.
Here is a list of NFL teams that still use University fields for training camp, btw:
1) Buffalo Bills - St. John Fisher University
2) Kansas City Chiefs - Missouri Western State University
3) LA Rams - Loyola Marymount University
4) NO Saints - University of California, Irvine
5) Pittsburgh Steelers - Saint Vincent College
Is how well you can see the practice from the stands. It’s too bad they abandoned Albany, that always seemed like a fun scene to me for the fans, and as I recall you could see the practice pretty well.
If Mara really cares about the fans he’d focus his efforts on making the fan training camp an enjoyable experience for the fans. Instead of moping about Barkley. I’m not holding my breath here.
I don't understand this post. Your question about seeing the practice implies you haven't gone before. Yet you're dumping on the owner for it being a bad experience?
To your question, I'd say being in the last row of the bleachers is like sitting 20 rows back from the sideline at Metlife.
I asked a question about what it is like. Based on Eric’s comments it didn’t sound as if it’s much of an experience. So I’m basing my comment on that.
If you’ve not been before, it’s worth the experience.
But my hunch is it’s probably not quite worth a family trip. Between the CBA, crowd control, and money grubbing opportunities, there won’t be that much to see, but you can keep your kids occupied w/ bad, expensive food.
Agree wholeheartedly re Albany - now that was fun. Very loose and chill. I think I paid $5 for parking, there was one folding table w/ merch, and that was it. My wife flashed some leg (or something) and got autographs from Eli, Tiki, Shockey, and a couple others for me (not just limited to kids back then). Shockey and Plax got tangled up on a catch and came crashing down @5 yards from me. I swear the ground shook.
a couple of times and to FDU once. At FDU, it was raining when practice was supposed to start; so they delayed the start. During the delay LT came out of the locker room, dropped two sleeves of brand new golf balls on the ground and proceeded to hit them about 200 yards into the woods. That was worth the drive from NW CT!
I would suggest going on your own this year, and make your own judgement about going to camp.
Everyone has an opinion, based on their own experiences, but you would be in the best position to judge if camp was worth bringing your family after attending a session this year.
I think it was much better in Albany.
Most likely long lines for anything you would want, especially autographs.
I think it was much better in Albany.
Most likely long lines for anything you would want, especially autographs.
It was better in Albany, but things have changed:
1) The CBA pretty much took away hitting/contact. And 2 practices a day. So you'll be seeing drills, 7 on 7's and stuff like that. I think the scrimmages against other teams have a bit more contact, though.
2) Albany is much cooler than Quest. Albany was mostly grass, both for the players and fans, plus a lot of trees for shade. Quest is basically built on a parking lot (except for the fields), so it can get beastly hot, so bring lots of water and sunscreen. I know the stands are shaded, but there's a LOT of hot air coming from the massive parking lots at the Meadowlands.
3) Albany had better access to players, 100%. You had autograph alley, where kids could come right up to players as they came on the field and left, so autographs were easy to get. I think Quest went to kids only scheduled autograph times after there was an incident, so kids will have to wait in line.
4) Sight lines. In Albany, you could walk around with your folding chair, as they moved field to field. Getting close to the fence was easy. In Quest, you're stuck in the stands, unless you want to lose your seat. That's a PIA, as you can't see all the action as well on multiple fields.
5) Kids activities...Albany had a ton of stuff for kids. To be fair, I haven't been to Quest in a while, and I know they were working on that. I'm sure one of the BBI contingent who go to Quest can update what they are doing.
6) Security...Albany didn't have scanning stations, or bag inspections. Quest did at the time I went, so expect to wait in line while they go through bags. I understand the security aspect, but it's still a PIA.
It sucked losing Albany, but the new CBA pretty much ensured that, with the shorter practice dates (SUNY didn't want them if they were only going to be there eight days, and it became expensive for the Giants to move all their stuff there). I miss open practices that went 3-4 weeks!
It is what it is. As I said, make sure you pack lots of water, sunscreen, hats, and maybe a seat cushion. Bring Binoculars for seeing the other fields (I think there were three), and maybe books/ipads for the kids. And maybe a battery backup for your phone, if that's allowed.
In any case, CHECK THE GIANTS/QUEST WEBSITE so you know what you can bring..and call them for clarification if you're not sure! It's a long trek back to the car if you have to bring stuff back to the car, and then get in line again!
From the Giants Training Camp Section (under FAQ):
One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12" x 6" x 12", OR
A one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar) AND
In addition to one of the clear bags noted above, you may also carry in a small clutch bag, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a strap.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the practice entry gates.
Strollers will be permitted for this event but are subject to search.
Helmets and footballs will be permitted for this event but are subject to search.
Guests may not carry-in the following items:
Purses larger than a clutch bag, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags, camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.
Bottles, cans, coolers, thermoses or ice chests
Alcohol of any kind
Weapons or anything that can be used as a projectile or is deemed dangerous
Laser pointers or Frisbees
Single-purpose video cameras or still-photography cameras with a lens longer than 6"
Any animal with the exception of a service animal
Any other item deemed inappropriate at the discretion of management
Giants Training Camp Information - ( New Window )
If Mara really cares about the fans he’d focus his efforts on making the fan training camp an enjoyable experience for the fans. Instead of moping about Barkley. I’m not holding my breath here.
Bring a football....you can toss it with your kids in parking lot.
Inside the gates...usually have inflatable activities for kids.
An autograph session for kids.
Practice is just ok.....going on a hitting day is better....
If Mara really cares about the fans he’d focus his efforts on making the fan training camp an enjoyable experience for the fans. Instead of moping about Barkley. I’m not holding my breath here.
I don't understand this post. Your question about seeing the practice implies you haven't gone before. Yet you're dumping on the owner for it being a bad experience?
To your question, I'd say being in the last row of the bleachers is like sitting 20 rows back from the sideline at Metlife.
It's geared for families, watching practice is basically at the bottom of my list. The kids autograph session is at the top. I'm printing a picture of my son with Gano from camp a couple years ago, hope to get it signed.
It certainly is material. Much of BBI went to Albany during the 16 years the Giants were there. Some went to FDU, and can share their experiences there.
And there are certainly BBI'ers that have gone to Albany but not to Quest. They should be aware that things are VERY different at Quest, should they decide to go.
I think the better solution, if you wanted to move camp closer to the Meadowlands, but still wanted a fan friendly and great experience for fans would have been making arrangements with FDU or Rutgers.
The Giants do the best they can with Quest, but it's simply not going to give you..or your kids..the experience you would get from a University setting.
Here is a list of NFL teams that still use University fields for training camp, btw:
1) Buffalo Bills - St. John Fisher University
2) Kansas City Chiefs - Missouri Western State University
3) LA Rams - Loyola Marymount University
4) NO Saints - University of California, Irvine
5) Pittsburgh Steelers - Saint Vincent College
Quote:
Is how well you can see the practice from the stands. It’s too bad they abandoned Albany, that always seemed like a fun scene to me for the fans, and as I recall you could see the practice pretty well.
If Mara really cares about the fans he’d focus his efforts on making the fan training camp an enjoyable experience for the fans. Instead of moping about Barkley. I’m not holding my breath here.
I don't understand this post. Your question about seeing the practice implies you haven't gone before. Yet you're dumping on the owner for it being a bad experience?
To your question, I'd say being in the last row of the bleachers is like sitting 20 rows back from the sideline at Metlife.
I asked a question about what it is like. Based on Eric’s comments it didn’t sound as if it’s much of an experience. So I’m basing my comment on that.
Agree wholeheartedly re Albany - now that was fun. Very loose and chill. I think I paid $5 for parking, there was one folding table w/ merch, and that was it. My wife flashed some leg (or something) and got autographs from Eli, Tiki, Shockey, and a couple others for me (not just limited to kids back then). Shockey and Plax got tangled up on a catch and came crashing down @5 yards from me. I swear the ground shook.
Everyone has an opinion, based on their own experiences, but you would be in the best position to judge if camp was worth bringing your family after attending a session this year.
Best of Luck!