YALE
In many ways Yale Bowl is the polar opposite of Princeton Stadium, and it may also serve as the best justification for Princeton's decision to go for comfort and style over history.
That's because for all the great history Yale Bowl, (and yes, you're supposed to just say "Yale Bowl" and not "THE Yale Bowl" ... if you care), brings to the table, it just might be the most uncomfortable place to watch a game of any kind that I've ever endured in my life.
The Bowl has more than 60,000 seats and only comes close to being full every other year when it hosts Harvard. The seats are set back far from the field and are wooden bleachers that tilt back away from the field. There is absolutely no cover from the elements. The bathroom structures are found around the perimeter of the Bowl and are in a questionable state. Ditto for the food concessions.
Okay, now for the good points. The tailgating situation at Yale is probably second best only to Harvard. And yes, it's amazing to think of all the history at this venue, which includes two seasons where the New York Giants called the place home (1973-74).
There is no "press box" per say, just a semi-covered tent-like area for each broadcasting or reporting team. The players don't have many comforts either, as they have to spend halftime standing outside the stadium.
New Haven is one of the least nice places to visit in the Ivies, but I do recommend some of the town's justifiably famous pizza places like Pepe's, etc.
For all the pounding I give Princeton for ditching its history by completely razing Palmer Stadium, I get the feeling the Princeton trustees looked hard at the Yale Bowl and decided that's not the way they wanted to go.
I can't blame them.
7 comments:
I love how trees are growing on the top of the Bowl. I think the tailgating is the best in the Ivies. My only issue is its size as 60k is too large but being on the field and feeling the history makes it worth it.
THE BOWL SHOULD BE CONDEMNED. HALF THE SEATS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE FALLING APART. THE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY. THE REST ROOMS ARE AWFUL. AND THE WORST OF IT IS THAT THE VISITING TEAM HAS NO PLACE TO MEET AT HALF TIME AND HAS TO HUDDLE UNDER THE VISITING STANDS. A DUMP.
Has anyone proposed yet to convert any of the Ivy League facilities into migrant shelters? What are the odds of that happening?
Jake rated stadiums …. Here’s my best-to-worst tailgate locations to visit (CU comments later) … Best is Brown parking lot behind visitor stands, next Cornell parking lot, followed by H (longer walk than Cor) … 4/5 is Princeton/Yale (too far from stadium) …. Worst in 6/7 are D and Penn (nowhere near stadium)
CU parking lot is great for tailgating where can also see most of the field … BUT …. You have to donate $$$ to the program … poor tailgating opportunities near stadium … Too bad they got rid of beer garden w hot dog, 2 beers and a game ticket all for $10
I’ve seen many games at the Yale Bowl. It is alive with history. More so, than the anodyne facilities you seem to uphold.
I simply cannot abide the complete failure to provide half time visiting team facilities—get real, having to meet under the stands is absurd. Plus those out of the way bathrooms are awful.
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