The Dome is Dead!

(post by jen b.)

This is past due, but finally I share my thoughts on the Dome’s last day… Setting up my tripod and camera in an abandoned corner office on the 43rd floor, my eyes are fixated on the big puffy marshmallow atop the RCA dome.

Today it’s let go, the air sucked out, lifetime over.   As I thought about the Dome this morning, I know it would be a bit disappointing to see it go. But now sitting here watching the canopy sink in, I’m deflated myself!  

I didn’t realize how many fond memories I had in that place.  And so my mind wanders… to my younger ages, I suppose around 8 years old.  I may have started going to games with my mother, a Colts season ticket holder since their arrival to Indy.  She would always purchase a “Gameday” program for me.  When I reached my seat, I’d flip the pages quickly, taking in the aroma of fresh print pages (probably not a healthy thing to do, but I did enjoy it). 

I loved to look at the pictures of the players.  I’d memorize their names and numbers.  I checked stats and the college from where they came.  My favorite player in the early days became Sean Dawkins, a wide receiver, “The Babe” as my Aunt Sam and I called him.  He sure was enjoyable to watch. 

I remember him making a good play and then high-fiving Sam, followed by our simultaneous declaration, “THE BABE!”  Ha ha ha. 

Then there were the ice cream sandwiches, a chunck of vanilla ice cream wedged between two chocolate chip cookies.  Wow, those were amazing, and I love sharing them with mom.  That station stood at the very opposite side of the dome, but it was certainly worth the trek.  

Our section was 110, seats just above the stairwell, just below the visiting owner’s box. How fun it was to face the box, back to the field and scream wildly after a major play! Sam was the best at it.  

From the level above, we’d hear the pounding of fists on the metal facade of the first row…it was the usual signal on a 3rd down Colts defensive play. Indianapolis had the proud reputation of one of the loudest places to play, and it was truly LOUD. And touchdowns meant a spray of confetti or stringy paper from up above.

We’ve experienced lots of touchdowns in recent years…those have been some of the best. We’ll all forever remember the AFC championship game in 2006 against New England. While I watched from California, I imagined what it must have been like inside the Dome. I got the cell phone call…screams bellowed, and it gave me chills. That was a game.  

One of my last games in the Dome was November 4, 2007. Kurtis and I were married just one day earlier! What a way we thought to start the honeymoon with a game seeing the Colts versus the Pats. It ended in a Colts loss…shoot! But, still, I was so thankful to be there, and how lucky I’ve been to attend so many.

The new stadium is beautiful, a hulking mass or steel and brick. It feels good inside, it will grow to be home. But I’ll miss getting blown out the door on the way out and all the things I’ve reminisced about today. As Mayor Hudnut said, “Long Live the Dome!”