I’m heading up to Hanover this weekend for the first time in
four years and I’m looking forward to seeing Memorial Field and catching up
with a few friends at the game.
I know Dartmouth’s house has become a nightmare venue for Columbia
the last two times the Lions visited, but that was immediately after a five game
stretch, (1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007), where Columbia won two of those
games and came very close in the other three.
The 2009 and 2011 debacles had a lot to do with injuries, (M.A. Olawale should not have started in
’09 and Sean Brackett did not play in
’11), but the Big Green really outplayed the Lions in both of those games.
I always recommend that everyone visit all the away Ivy
venues at least once, and Dartmouth is really a must. Columbia used to play the
Big Green every year on week eight of the season as opposed to week six now.
That’s a big difference, especially when you go to Hanover and you want a
better shot to avoid the coldest weather. Now, whenever the Lions head to
Dartmouth it’s at the height of the fall foliage tour season and there are lots
of great things to see and do with the family.
I promise I’m not moonlighting for the NH chamber of
commerce, so let me throw in a little football-centric comments about Memorial
Field and why it’s important for every Ivy fan to spend some time checking it
out.
The stadium’s size has been much reduced in recent years,
that very tall visitors side grandstand is gone. But the home side ivy-covered colonnades
really serve as a calling card for the history of our league.
I’ll just let the pictures tell most of the rest of the
story:
The above plaque explains it all
A majestic entrance
The old visitors stands stretched into the Heavens
Now, there are rows of more comfortable seats on the visitors side in front of the new Floren Varsity House
8 comments:
Hope you get a chance to visit the football offices of Floren. They have a nice room dedicated to the history of Dartmouth football there. Some neat memoriabilia from the years.
I have been inside those offices before, when I called the game in 2009. Very nice.
What I like about Dartmouth is that it trumps the rural charm of Cornell without the rows and rows of economically devastated towns that one must encounter on the way to Ithaca.
foliage is way past peak. but still nice.
Ms. Bellows pancakes for luck Jake? Will you be going to the game with coach Mac?
What's the story on Ms. Bellows' pancakes? I will be going to the game. Any hints on things not to miss?
To the above "anonymous"...
If you have time and are looking for something scenic, Quechee Gorge is beautiful-Simon Pearce is located there are well with a very nice restaurant using farm fresh local product.
Neila
Thanks, Neila, we made reservations for Friday evening at Simon Pearce.
Bob Reim
Apologies if this hits more than once. I don't sign into my Google account very often...I'm looking forward to meeting some of you guys this weekend and seeing the boys and the coaches at the dinner tonight. I'll be the tall guy wearing a CU football cap and Dartmouth scarf!
Bob Spears D '81 swimmer (parent of Connor Spears CU '17 TE #43)
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