Camping out for athletic events on campus is not a necessity to gain admission to the games, but is a must for students who want to sit floor level at Hilton Coliseum.

“When you are down in the front, in the first three rows, it is almost like being on the court,” said former ISU student Tyler Etten. “All the sound echoes down to you. Every swing of the game, any sort of action going on, you feel the intensity of the stadium coming down on you. It is a fun and exhilarating experience and the only way you get those seats is to camp out.”

Etten and his friends camped out in front of Hilton on four different occasions last year to guarantee the best seats in the house, and it is something he said every ISU basketball fan should experience at least once.

“It was an experience we will not forget for the rest of our lives,” Etten said. “Through the cold and the rain and everything that went wrong, it was still worth it to all be together as friends. I would strongly recommend if you are a basketball fan to do it at least once.”

Etten added, however, that it is important to do it the right way.

Most of the basketball games take place in the middle of winter, which can be less than forgiving. Etten said the primary concern for those interested in camping out at Hilton should be keeping warm.

“When the weather was bad out, it was physically exhausting. The number one thing is, in the winter time, always bring more than enough blankets and layers of clothes, and I would generally suggest a heat source,” Etten said. “Our heat went out one night and I woke up and was cold in my bones. Heat is the most important thing.”

Many of the urban campers heat and power their tents with generators, which allows for the presence of electronics.

Etten said when he and his friends camped out, televisions, XBoxes and laptops that tapped into the Hilton Wi-Fi network were vital to fend off the boredom, but even that was not quite enough.

“We camped out for 72 hours for the Kansas game,” Etten said. “Have something to do as a group. We brought cards and had a few beers together, but if there is nothing to do it could turn out to be a long day and night. The more people you have with you, the more enjoyable it is.”

Tents can be set up between the gates on the north end of Hilton. The gates are arranged in a way that does not allow tents to be set up next to one another and eliminates the possibility of line-cutting, so it truly is first-come, first-serve.

Athletic Director Jamie Pollard installed a row of porta potties in that area as well to accommodate the make-shift Hilton campsite.

Tents and sleeping bags can be rented from Recreational Services.