Columbia University - Baker Sports Complex

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Baker Field, located at the northern tip of Manhattan at 218th Street and Broadway, is home to several Columbia Athletics facilities, including Wien Stadium, Columbia Soccer Stadium, Columbia Softball Complex, Andy Coakley Field (baseball), The Dick Savitt Tennis Center, The Gould-Remmer and 1929 Boathouses, and the Chrystie Field House.

History
The tract of land on which the Baker Field Complex stands was purchased for the University on December 30, 1921 by financier George F. Baker. Then a $700,000 gift, the 26-acre area was dedicated in April, 1922 and was coronated with spring football practice that same year. In the fall, Columbia's football team continued to practice at Baker Field,but played its games at South Field on the Morningside Heights Campus. The first stadium at Baker Field opened in the fall of 1923 with 15,000 seats in temporary stands. Five years later, the University built the 32,000 wooden-seat stadium that served Columbia fans for 55 years, until the spring of 1983.

The first game at Baker Field took place on September 29, 1923, with Columbia defeating Ursinus, 13-0. The opening game in the official stadium was played on Sept. 29, 1928 as Columbia defeated Vermont, 20-0.

Wien Stadium was opened on Sept. 22, 1984 as the Lions fell to Harvard, 35-21. Columbia won its first game in the Stadium on Oct.8, 1988 when it defeated Princeton, 16-13.

Wien Stadium is now home to the Lions' football, field hockey, lacrosse and track & field teams. The track features an eight-lane Rekortan track.
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Coordinates:   40°52'22"N   73°54'56"W
This article was last modified 5 years ago