Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
John L Guidry Stadium 1 Stadium Dr Thibodaux, LA 70301
Year Opened: 1972
Capacity: 10,500
College Football in the Sugar Cane Bayou
An hour west of the sprawling city of New Orleans, nestled among the fields of sugar cane and bayous, the campus of Nicholls State rises from the Louisiana soil. Here, small town college pride is on full display; football here is the main show on fall Saturday afternoons.
In a stadium that features cozy views of the surrounding country as well as some modern touches, Nicholls State battles for victory. While not necessarily at the top of the list for sports fans visiting the Bayou State, Nicholls State may be a hidden gem. What it may lack in the top-tier finishes of some FBS powerhouse schools, this FCS program makes up for with local pride.
Food & Beverage 3
There aren’t a lot of food options at Nicholls State games, but the prices are incredibly affordable. Indeed, the few concession stands available have limited menus. The traditional favorites of burgers ($5-$6), pizza ($8), hot dogs ($4), nachos ($4-$6), beer ($6), and drinks like water, soda, and Powerade ($4) are all available. However, the stars of the show here are the local favorites like jambalaya ($5), bread pudding ($4), and boudin links ($5-$6).
Atmosphere 3
The stadium itself is simple in design. Two large concrete grandstands on opposite sidelines offer the majority of the seating here. The home side features black individual seats with backs, as well as a press box with several suites available. Behind one end zone is a patio outside the student athlete center which has several table and chair setups, while the other end zone features field-level cabana viewing areas below the scoreboard.
Before games, fans pack the grassy shaded areas outside the stadium for pre-game tailgating. Specific areas can be purchased for pre-game by larger groups for a more specified tailgating experience. The standard college football hits are all here; a band plays on the field before the game and during halftime, while a mascot roams around entertaining fans. Cheerleaders and a dance team perform and toss t-shirts into the stands for fans.
Neighborhood 3
Thibodeaux isn’t a large city. In fact, its population is just over 15,000 people, so the small town vibe is prevalent. The surrounding country is populated with sugar cane fields and bayou swampland. The nearest airport is an hour east in New Orleans.
There are some typical chain restaurants in town, like Raising Canes, as well as Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse. Attractions include the Bayou Country Children’s Museum, as well as the E.D. White Historic Site. Several chain hotels are also in town, including the Hampton Inn that sponsors the football team.
Fans 3
The fans in Thibodeaux are loyal and passionate – there is definitely a lot of hometown pride when it comes to cheering for the Colonels. That said, not every game is packed with people. Attendance is sometimes dependent on visiting fans as well. Nonetheless, Nicholls State football games are a family affair, with lots of young fans in attendance.
Access 3
To get to Thibodeaux, you have to take some smaller back roads. From New Orleans, a short drive on I-310 and then Highway 90 eventually whittles down to Route 308, which is a one lane road each way that winds along Bayou Lafourche. From the west or north, smaller roads are your only way in. Once in Thibodeaux, signage helps point you towards campus. Parking on site is plentiful.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets to Nicholls State football games are very affordable, starting at just $20 for general admission tickets. Assigned seating on the home side starts at $24, and goes up to $39 for stadium-style seats with backs to them. This means taking the whole family to see some college football in the bayou is a lot more affordable than at the stadiums of some other Louisiana college teams.
Extras 2
Whenever the team scores a touchdown, and during the player introductions, a large firetruck parked next to the end zone blares its siren.
Games offer several giveaways for fans; what is available depends on the different theme going on during that day’s game.
Final Thoughts
Thibodeaux may not be at the top of the list of everyone’s college football towns to visit, but Nicholls State has a respectable setup nonetheless. Fans are loyal and proud and make sure their hometown team is loved each and every game. And with both ticket prices and concessions at incredibly affordable prices, this is a much cheaper option for a college football game than many nearby stadiums may offer.
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