This Saturday, we took the boys to their first football game. A nail-biter between two collegiate powerhouses: Cornell at Columbia.
Ok, collegiate powerhouses is an extreme exaggeration given that both teams entered Saturday's game with a 0-8 record. Yep, a combined 0 wins in 16 attempts. On the positive, one team HAD to win.
Columbia's stadium is at the northern tip of Manhattan. We took the 1 train up to 215th street and then walked a quick 5 minutes to the stadium. The stadium is on the small side, but pretty nice. It reminded me of Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill - likely because Columbia's colors are virtually the same as Carolina's - though the blue is a bit lighter. The stadium has a great view of the Henry Hudson Bridge (seen above the visitor's side in the picture below). And, as a reminder that we're in Manhattan, there are train tracks for Amtrak and MetroNorth running very close to the athletic fields. It's not quite the same as the train at Yankee stadium, but pretty cool.
Also - Eric Holder, the US Attorney General was there (attended Columbia for both undergrad and law school). He was easy to spot with the 3-4 secret service guys scanning the stadium in their government issued dark glasses - it was all very Men In Black.
The game started a bit slow for Columbia; however, they rallied at the end of the 2nd quarter to score two touchdowns, entering halftime only down a touchdown.
Spencer and I stayed through the halftime show. Cornell brought a true marching band that was pretty good. Not really sure what you'd call the group of folks from Columbia. Marching band is WAY TOO generous. They reminded me of UVA's band which is not a compliment.
After halftime, Spence and I headed home - it was cold (well, I was cold) and Spence wasn't really paying attention to the game. Plus, I was cold.
Justin and Jack stayed through to the end - which was an hour longer than we expected because this came was televised. Yep. Apparently, this is the "Empire Bowl" and even though both teams had won 0 games, it made to TV. Perhaps, there are too many sports channels...
Jack came home with a new Columbia jersey and he apparently had a great time learning the game and cheering for Columbia. He didn't even cry when Columbia ultimately lost.
Ok, collegiate powerhouses is an extreme exaggeration given that both teams entered Saturday's game with a 0-8 record. Yep, a combined 0 wins in 16 attempts. On the positive, one team HAD to win.
Columbia's stadium is at the northern tip of Manhattan. We took the 1 train up to 215th street and then walked a quick 5 minutes to the stadium. The stadium is on the small side, but pretty nice. It reminded me of Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill - likely because Columbia's colors are virtually the same as Carolina's - though the blue is a bit lighter. The stadium has a great view of the Henry Hudson Bridge (seen above the visitor's side in the picture below). And, as a reminder that we're in Manhattan, there are train tracks for Amtrak and MetroNorth running very close to the athletic fields. It's not quite the same as the train at Yankee stadium, but pretty cool.
Also - Eric Holder, the US Attorney General was there (attended Columbia for both undergrad and law school). He was easy to spot with the 3-4 secret service guys scanning the stadium in their government issued dark glasses - it was all very Men In Black.
The game started a bit slow for Columbia; however, they rallied at the end of the 2nd quarter to score two touchdowns, entering halftime only down a touchdown.
Spencer and I stayed through the halftime show. Cornell brought a true marching band that was pretty good. Not really sure what you'd call the group of folks from Columbia. Marching band is WAY TOO generous. They reminded me of UVA's band which is not a compliment.
After halftime, Spence and I headed home - it was cold (well, I was cold) and Spence wasn't really paying attention to the game. Plus, I was cold.
Justin and Jack stayed through to the end - which was an hour longer than we expected because this came was televised. Yep. Apparently, this is the "Empire Bowl" and even though both teams had won 0 games, it made to TV. Perhaps, there are too many sports channels...
Jack came home with a new Columbia jersey and he apparently had a great time learning the game and cheering for Columbia. He didn't even cry when Columbia ultimately lost.
So fun! I loved your comment about the UVA band. Remember their marching violins?? =)
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