Loose Lips...
Here's what I can tell you about yesterday's practice: The weather was really nice.
Sorry folks, but my number one job is: "first, do no harm." You're just not going to see anything on this site that could potentially hurt the team, reveal a strategic secret, or get me in trouble with the hard-working coaches and players.
Well, I suppose I can also say that I enjoyed being back at Wien Stadium and watching football. I missed it a lot.
I got some more face time in with Jerry
I can also say that I had a good chance to talk with my future radio partner, Jerry Recco, who continues to prove himself to be a gentleman in every way. We ended up commenting on things we saw in practice as they happened, much like we hopefully will during the actual season.
Jerry knows football. He played it in high school and has covered it at the collegiate and professional level at WFAN for 10 years now. He's still learning about the history of the Ivy League and the basic "M.O.'s" of all the football teams in the conference, but that's more my job than his. And the folks in the athletic department told me that having a voice from WFAN doing the Columbia games is a tremendous asset for us in the New York area.
Wait... is that a Target?!?
After practice I went north of the stadium, across the Broadway Bridge to the neighborhood of Marble Hill. Marble Hill is one of those answers to snooty trivia questions people like to ask about New York City. It actually stands on mostly landfill on what is geographically The Bronx, BUT it is officially part of Manhattan, (that info and $2 will get you a ride on the subway).
But here's some info that IS valuable to Columbia football fans. Just across that bridge and to the left is a nice strip mall with a TARGET, A MARSHALL'S, a STARBUCK'S, and an APPLEBEE'S restaurant. Did you hear me? There are actually some suburbia-friendly places to shop, eat, and get a coffee just steps from Baker Field. AND THERE'S A PARKING LOT THERE TOO. (Now you'll be towed if you try to park there for the game... but you can at least hang out there before or after the game and not worry about getting a spot).
Speaking of parking, a nice number of new parking garages and lots have opened up near the stadium. I'll provide a more extensive list of the lots and their exact locations closer to the home opener... but if you can stand walking 5-10 blocks on gameday, (and I recommend doing just that after sitting on your butt for 3+ hours), the parking issue will no longer be a concern this season.
Otis Out
There is some bad news to report on the NFL front: Jeff Otis was waived by the Raiders yesterday. Hopefully, he has a good "plan B" and we wish him the best of luck.
posted by Jake @ 9:05:00 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
Jake, can you at least give us some impressions of the first years? Also, how about a movement to buy the lot to the east of B'way and 218th for multi-purpose uses, including parking on game days?
Jake, those stores have been there since about 2004--I believe the shopping center is called River Plaza Shopping Center. From the corner of Broadway and 218th Street, it's about 800 yards, or less than a half mile, to the Starbucks.
It's worth knowing that 225th Street, the first street across the Broadway Bridge, is also a stop on the number 1 train. A fan coming north on the number 1 train who had to have a Starbucks could take the train to 225th Street, grab his frappucino, and walk back to the stadium.
One of the more interesting train stations in the metropolitan area, the Mable Hill Metro North station, is along the river immediately below and west of the Broadway Bridge. The Marble Hill Metro North Station connects easily with the 225th Street subway station. They rebuilt the Marble Hlll station a couple of years ago. As I believe has been discussed before, the Metro North line is a great way to get to Baker Field for those who have access to it.
Leonidas
Jake, what about the reports about Gutierrez really looking good? Can you say anything?
I'm sorry, but where was the report about Gutierez?
The third comment under "In Case You Missed It" suggests Nico Guiterrez is doing well.
Jake, Does the gag rule apply to things like, will Hormann be ready for Fordham? Is he working out?
Who gets the nod if Hormann isn't ready, Olawale or does Kelly have a chance? Just give me one wink for yes and two for no.
At least tell me how the weather was today.
Jake, apparently Mitchell looks great. Ditto Bayo at LB. I see no reason to hold back on breakout performances and first year impact players.
Coach Wilson is very sensitive about confidentiality, so Jake has to respect that, given that he's there in an official capacity, i.e., as an incoming announcer.
It is, however, very encouraging that there is so much interest in what's going on with the team.
-Dr.V
Dr. V, we miss your trenchant observations. I seem to recall that you are out of the country on a prolonged assignment. The football season will not be the same wihtout you.
I will, however, come back for the Yale and Harvard games and am enthusiastically following everything closely from afar.
-Dr.V
Jake...In case you missed it, today's Boston Globe had their preseason Ivy writeup and predictions. Not surprising that we continue to get little respect up here and were picked 7th ahead of D'Mouth. Yale picked 1st and Penn picked 4th.
Obviously, the official Columbia Athletics Department Website--"GoColumbiaLions.Com" should be the primary source of information on the Columbia Football team. It would be wonderful for Columbia Football if the person(s) responsible for publicizing the football team on the website simply disseminated an upbeat daily summary of the team's progress mentioning as many players as possible. I do not believe that would be very difficult to do. The writer could speak to Coach Wilson early in the day and put a short story approved by him on the website later in the day. Coach Wilson is a great communicator. Call it the "Wilson Summary" or something like that. Very easy to establish in this internet age and the more publicity the Columbia players get, the higher the retention rate will be throughout the season. What do you think, Lion fans?
Great idea; we need a daily puff piece! As for the Boston Globe, it is useful only for wrappping fish.
What do you expect, Boston itself is a second rate craphole in my opinion
Boston or Philadelphia, which is worse? Boston is a village which thinks it is a city, and it also thinks that the universe revolves around Boston. But Philadelphia is really much worse. Take the Acela from NYC to DC and as it passes the Penn campus and Franklin Field, ask yourselves, could you really imagine spending your bright college years there? But NYC is on a different level; it is truly the American acropolis; Frank Sinatra had it right!
Hey you guys who are dumping on Boston and Philly--Jake runs a civil blog. Unless you have something about Columbia to contribute to the discussion, please take your insecurities elsewhere so they don't take up space here.
Respectfully,
Leonidas
I agree with Leonidas. There are other forums for those who want to promote slap-fests with Ivy brethren.
Fair enough; perhaps an overreaction to our being dissed by The Globe.
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