City of Dreams

It's a big "junior day" at Columbia tomorrow as a good number of rising senior high school football recruits visit the program. 

I can't speak about what the best purely Columbia football events should be scheduled, (meetings with coaches, football strategy sessions, etc.), but I'd like to put in my top 10 events/locations in New York City that I would be sure to take a group of 16-17 year-old football players to see.

First, we need to remember the two things that just about EVERY 16 and 17 year old male wants.

(Hint: Columbia can't LEGALLY provide the first thing).

The second thing every teenage male athlete wants is FOOD... oh, and FOOD... also: FOOD!

So, most of my top 10 sites are either restaurants or locations close to them!

1) Yankee Stadium

I know the Yankees aren't home THIS weekend, but taking sports recruits to the most iconic sports location in America is a good move. And that's coming from someone who isn't even a Yankee fan. I would schedule as many junior weekends around Yankee home stands as possible and get those kids in there to see a game. 

2) Peter Luger's

Speaking of icons, this is quite simply the BEST steakhouse in the world. And it's just over the bridge into Brooklyn so all the recruits can say they went to Brooklyn. 

3) Times Square Tour and Carmine's

Checking out the scene near the Broadway theaters and the MTV studios are just two of the things I would make sure the recruits get to see. And the food highlight in the area would be Carmine's. I used to think this was a tourist trap, but it turns out the food is great and the portions are gargantuan! Many of my Italian food snob friends have been surprised at the quality of all the fare. Good food, sickeningly large portions... teenage boys... what's not to like?

4) Tour of the NYSE

There's not exactly a lot of action on the floor of the exchange these days, but it's an impressive venue and so many of the Columbia football players go on to work at Wall St. firms that it makes sense to make this stop, (and then get on the subway for the quick trip to Luger's). 

5) Cruise past Statue of Liberty, other New York Harbor icons

Actually touring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island can be tedious. Cruising past them in a charter boat is much better, especially if you bring snacks.

6) Broadway Show: "Bird-Magic" or "Rock of Ages"

Getting back to Times Square, I'd try to get the recruits to one of the "guy-friendly" shows likeBird-Magic or Rock of Ages right now. Moms and girlfriends would be so impressed.

7) FOX News Tour

With some many recruits coming from red states like Texas, a tour of the FOX News studios across from Rockefeller Center is a good bet. Some very, very beautiful anchor ladies and reporters are almost always around too!

8) Top of the Empire State Building

Yeah, yeah, it's touristy but the awesome greatness of New York City isn't quite as visible from any other spot. 

9) Meet with Econ and some CC profs

Do we even do this at all? If not, we should. An informal talk in a lecture hall with a dynamic young professor might make a great impression on these guys. Surely we can find one or two members of the Columbia faculty who are not so anti-athletics to make this worthwhile.

10) Caroline's Comedy Club

A later night show at Caroline's, with all the young and diverse comics, is something these recruits are likely to really enjoy. Leave 'em laughing! 

My list is by no means the Bible. So let me know where YOU'D take a group of Columbia football recruits if it were up to you!