SpecialTeamsUnit
09-22-2007, 05:17 PM
Harvard Stadium has bright future (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view.bg?articleid=1033088&format=text)
By Alex Speier
The idea of modernizing Harvard Stadium seems almost absurd. The 104-year-old football landmark opened almost a decade before Fenway Park [map]. The oldest concrete sports structure in the country more often dictates the rules of football - its dimensions led to the invention of the forward pass in 1906 - than adapts to them.
Yet tomorrow, a stadium whose construction in 1903 drew architectural inspiration from ancient Rome and Greece will embrace change. When the Crimson (0-1) open their home schedule against the Brown Bears (1-0), the national history monument will host its first night football game.
The start of Harvard’s home schedule, usually little more than the start of the countdown to the Yale game, is an event in its own right this year. Alumni are descending on the banks of the Charles to ensure they experience the occasion.
“The first time that anything happens in a place that rich in tradition is special,” said Isaiah Kacyvenski, who graduated from Harvard in 2000 and has since played in the NFL for the Seahawks, Rams and Raiders.
Kacyvenski, sidelined this year by a knee injury that forced Oakland to place him on injured reserve, will travel from New York to join several former Harvard players at tomorrow’s game.
“It was something I circled when I saw it was a night game. There definitely is a lot of buzz and a lot of excitement,” said Kacyvenski. “The game is even more of a joy at night.”
Many cite a 2005 football game for lending urgency to the addition of lights. On Nov. 19, 2005, Harvard beat Yale in a 30-24, triple-overtime game in the Yale Bowl. The longest game in Ivy League history started at 12:30 p.m. and concluded at dusk.
Visibility was so poor that the game was nearly declared a tie. That experience in New Haven offered a mandate for change in Harvard Stadium.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” explained Crimson head coach Tim Murphy. “I said (to athletic director Robert Scalise), ‘You better think about getting lights. We don’t ever want this to happen in Harvard Stadium.’
“That was the impetus for lights in our stadium. Once we had the lights, we saw the opportunity to really have a great and different college football atmosphere for Harvard Stadium.”
The lights were installed in the fall of 2006 as part of renovations to the stadium. Harvard consulted with historic commissions about the addition to ensure that the character of the landmark would not be altered. By most accounts, that effort was successful.
“You walk in and you say, ‘Where are the lights?’ ” marveled Bob Shaunessy, captain of Harvard’s football team in 1958. “They’re just so well done. They do not change the appearance (of the stadium).”
That, at least, is the case for games with midday kickoffs. Some longtime observers of the program, however, fear that the experience of games under the weekend lights might challenge the stadium’s traditional feel.
Scott McCabe, a former Crimson player who graduated in 1983, recalled the experience at Wrigley Field. The home ballpark of the Cubs opened in 1914 but waited until 1988 to add lights.
“I’ve been to a game at Wrigley, both during the day and at night. Nothing compares to going to Wrigley Field during the day. My gut’s telling me that it’s not going to be quite the same going to Harvard Stadium under the lights,” said McCabe. “Until I actually experience the game and see what it’s like, I guess the emotions are kind of mixed.”
Of course, Harvard will continue to play most of its games during the day, with current plans calling for just one night contest a year. According to Murphy, the program has no designs on conducting the Harvard-Yale game after dark. Instead, it hopes to add a new tradition to a program with a history that spans the scope of American football.
“Most of the kids these days grew up (playing football) with Friday night lights. That’s something we’re trying to simulate by having the first night game in Harvard football history,” said Murphy, now in his 14th season at Harvard. “It’s a good fit.”
The new wrinkle could simply add to the distinct experience of the century-old stadium. The prospect is enough to inspire envy in those who attend as spectators, rather than as players.
“I wish they’d have done it 20 years ago,” said Tom McConnell, who played for Harvard from 1986-88. “It’s such a beautiful stadium and such a great venue. To display it at night, lighting it up and illuminating the place, I think it’s spectacular. I think it’s a natural.”
I can't believe they hadn't added lights before now. Nevertheless, I got to catch a game there. I live somewhat in the area, too bad "The game" is at Yale this year.
By Alex Speier
The idea of modernizing Harvard Stadium seems almost absurd. The 104-year-old football landmark opened almost a decade before Fenway Park [map]. The oldest concrete sports structure in the country more often dictates the rules of football - its dimensions led to the invention of the forward pass in 1906 - than adapts to them.
Yet tomorrow, a stadium whose construction in 1903 drew architectural inspiration from ancient Rome and Greece will embrace change. When the Crimson (0-1) open their home schedule against the Brown Bears (1-0), the national history monument will host its first night football game.
The start of Harvard’s home schedule, usually little more than the start of the countdown to the Yale game, is an event in its own right this year. Alumni are descending on the banks of the Charles to ensure they experience the occasion.
“The first time that anything happens in a place that rich in tradition is special,” said Isaiah Kacyvenski, who graduated from Harvard in 2000 and has since played in the NFL for the Seahawks, Rams and Raiders.
Kacyvenski, sidelined this year by a knee injury that forced Oakland to place him on injured reserve, will travel from New York to join several former Harvard players at tomorrow’s game.
“It was something I circled when I saw it was a night game. There definitely is a lot of buzz and a lot of excitement,” said Kacyvenski. “The game is even more of a joy at night.”
Many cite a 2005 football game for lending urgency to the addition of lights. On Nov. 19, 2005, Harvard beat Yale in a 30-24, triple-overtime game in the Yale Bowl. The longest game in Ivy League history started at 12:30 p.m. and concluded at dusk.
Visibility was so poor that the game was nearly declared a tie. That experience in New Haven offered a mandate for change in Harvard Stadium.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” explained Crimson head coach Tim Murphy. “I said (to athletic director Robert Scalise), ‘You better think about getting lights. We don’t ever want this to happen in Harvard Stadium.’
“That was the impetus for lights in our stadium. Once we had the lights, we saw the opportunity to really have a great and different college football atmosphere for Harvard Stadium.”
The lights were installed in the fall of 2006 as part of renovations to the stadium. Harvard consulted with historic commissions about the addition to ensure that the character of the landmark would not be altered. By most accounts, that effort was successful.
“You walk in and you say, ‘Where are the lights?’ ” marveled Bob Shaunessy, captain of Harvard’s football team in 1958. “They’re just so well done. They do not change the appearance (of the stadium).”
That, at least, is the case for games with midday kickoffs. Some longtime observers of the program, however, fear that the experience of games under the weekend lights might challenge the stadium’s traditional feel.
Scott McCabe, a former Crimson player who graduated in 1983, recalled the experience at Wrigley Field. The home ballpark of the Cubs opened in 1914 but waited until 1988 to add lights.
“I’ve been to a game at Wrigley, both during the day and at night. Nothing compares to going to Wrigley Field during the day. My gut’s telling me that it’s not going to be quite the same going to Harvard Stadium under the lights,” said McCabe. “Until I actually experience the game and see what it’s like, I guess the emotions are kind of mixed.”
Of course, Harvard will continue to play most of its games during the day, with current plans calling for just one night contest a year. According to Murphy, the program has no designs on conducting the Harvard-Yale game after dark. Instead, it hopes to add a new tradition to a program with a history that spans the scope of American football.
“Most of the kids these days grew up (playing football) with Friday night lights. That’s something we’re trying to simulate by having the first night game in Harvard football history,” said Murphy, now in his 14th season at Harvard. “It’s a good fit.”
The new wrinkle could simply add to the distinct experience of the century-old stadium. The prospect is enough to inspire envy in those who attend as spectators, rather than as players.
“I wish they’d have done it 20 years ago,” said Tom McConnell, who played for Harvard from 1986-88. “It’s such a beautiful stadium and such a great venue. To display it at night, lighting it up and illuminating the place, I think it’s spectacular. I think it’s a natural.”
I can't believe they hadn't added lights before now. Nevertheless, I got to catch a game there. I live somewhat in the area, too bad "The game" is at Yale this year.