Day 78: Paul Kaliades

All-Americans don't grow on trees, but Paul Kaliades '73 was built like one.

Coming from a top-notch high school program in New Jersey, Kaliades immediately made a splash with the varsity in his sophomore season of 1970. Playing mostly on the defensive line that year, Kaliades was named to the All Ivy Second Team as a defensive guard.

With a rising junior like Kaliades and an unusual amount of good returning talent at other positions, the pundits thought the Lions had a good shot to challenge for the title in '71.

They were right.

Moving to his more natural linebacker position, Kaliades made a monstrous impact on the Cardiac Columbia Kids of that magical season. Doubling as the team's placekicker, he also made a number of clutch kicks, including the miracle game winner against Dartmouth at Baker Field that just barely cleared the crossbar.

A week earlier in a legendary 24-21 loss against the Big Red in Ithaca, Kaliades made 20 tackles despite his left arm being taped to his chest to protect a separated shoulder. Most of those tackles were of Ed Marinaro.

The disappointing 1972 season that followed was not Kaliades' fault. Like he did in 1971, he was named to the All Ivy First Team and made another series of great plays.

Kaliades also has a special connection to Columbia quarterback great Eugene Rossides. Rossides later became the founder of the American Hellenic Organization, which took great pride in Kaliades also being a Greek-American.

Today, Kaliades is a successful real estate expert currently serving as the president of Renters Legal Liability Insurance, LLC.


Special Pictures



Sorry, I couldn't post a picture of Paul Kaliades today, but I came across some great pictures of Baker Field to share with you. Above, you see a shot of Wien Stadium, just before construction was completed in 1984. Here you can see the old colesium-style gate that used to be on the 218th Street side of the complex at the old Baker Field. (click on all these pics for a larger view)





Here's absolutely one of the best pictures I had never previously seen of the old Baker Field. This is the view from the north side where you can see the old baseball field in the foreground, the enclosed end of the 32,000 seat football stadium in the far ground, and the old practice field to the left. Note this photo from 1936 also predates the Chrystie Fieldhouse built in the 1950's.

The billboard advertising Columbia football on the left clearly was meant to catch the eyes of the passengers traveling the New York Central train line every day.




This picture from 1927 is probably taken from Broadway and the billboard is probably at corner of 218th street.