Gothamist: Columbia Turns Attention to Sports

Jason

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 21:13:30 -0500

Re: the facilities, I have to say that it cuts both ways -- the basketball gym is pathetic (my high school gym was larger, by a lot), but the football stadium (Wein) is unbelievably nice, at least on the home side. (SI ranked it one of the top 25 places to watch football, if I remember correctly.) Of course, Columbia attempted once to fix the basketball stadium issue, and that led to riots and arrests and the sale of the architectural plans to Princeton (Jadwin is our gym!).

$andy Kane

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 16:30:22 -0500

Though Jen is right (we did go to Columbia for Columbia Hot [bagels] and Coronet and Famiglia Pizza), I think fellow alum Ric Burns put it best. As long as we have more Nobel Prize winners than football (or other sport) losses, we're in pretty good shape.

Brian Andrews

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 14:34:58 -0500

All pro defensive end Marcellus Wiley who now plays and starts for the Cowboys graduated Columbia College in 1997 and was part of the last winning season at Columbia in 1996.

Jasper

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 14:19:52 -0500

It is a bit unfortunate attending a university with such a poor recent performance in athletics. Additionally, having played on a team for the past 2 years, I realize that lack of interest and funds begets our overall lackluster athletic reputation. I would love to see the lions undefeated in a season, but for the meantime I'll just settle for the academics.

Johnie

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 13:42:17 -0500

Jonathan Reese ('01 or '02?) signed on as backup running back for the Jets. He got cut his first year and played a couple years in Europe. Still haven't really seen him play though

joe

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 13:15:11 -0500

Sid Luckman, CC class of 1937, was a great early quarterback for the Bears!

Megan

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 13:10:47 -0500

Columbia's dance team, however, placed 4th at nationals a few years ago. Not a sport, but at least it's something physical that Columbians can beat other schools at.

Janine

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 11:32:47 -0500

I was briefly in the Columbia University Marching Band, until I realized that I hated waking up early on weekends and cold weather and that I had little to no interest in football - and yes, Columbia lost nearly every game if I recall correctly.

W

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 11:14:56 -0500

I accompanied a friend to a Columbia women's lacrosse game last year. I think they were playing Harvard. I didn't realize that we were rooting for Columbia's first victory EVER in the sport. Which sort of explains why it didn't happen.

luke

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 10:51:53 -0500

Has Columbia produced any outstanding athletes since Lou Gehrig? It is surprising to me that academically gifted schools are not more successful in team sports. even though the talent may not be there, it's all about heart and teamwork.

Jen

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 10:48:36 -0500

Ah, alma mater. But we didn't go to Columbia for the sports; we went for the bagels at the now-gone Columbia Bagels at West 110th and Broadway.