NEW YORK—For the third consecutive year, the Columbia Football Team returns to the Columbia University South Lawn for a final walkthrough this afternoon at 5 p.m. Kickoff for Columbia's Saturday home opener at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium against Wagner is at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be televised live on SNY and simulcast on the Ivy League Network.
Practicing on the South Lawn honors Columbia's 127-year football tradition. The team played its games at the South Lawn prior to moving to the current Baker Athletic Complex in 1928. For many years, the two lawns formed a contiguous field, with stands framing the end zones to the east and west and the 50-yard line pointed due north toward Low Memorial Library. Columbia Hall of Famers Bill Morley, Harold Weekes and Lou Gehrig played at the field.
Patricia & Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football Al Bagnoli brought football back to the South Lawn in his first season in 2015. The Lions went through several walk-throughs on the South Lawn last year. Players will wear tee-shirts and shorts, no helmets or cleats.
The Lions could potentially practice on the lawn five times in 2017, one day before each home game: Friday, Sept. 15 (prior to the Wagner game), Friday, Sept. 22 (prior to Georgetown), Friday, Oct. 13 (before CU's Homecoming Game vs. Penn), Friday, Nov. 4 (prior to Harvard) and Friday, Nov. 17 (prior to Brown).
