On this very spot, where the roar of the crowd once echoed, stands Baker Field. It’s more than just a field; it’s the heart of Columbia University’s athletic legacy. Baker Field, nestled at the northern tip of Manhattan at Broadway and 218th Street, has witnessed triumphs, heartbreaks, and even history-making moments. Originally spanning 26 acres, this sprawling complex was a generous gift from financier George F. Baker in 1921, a gift worth a staggering $700,000 at the time. Imagine the foresight, the generosity that led to the creation of this iconic sports complex.
Baker Field officially opened in 1923, with the first football game held on September 29th against Ursinus College. It was a victory for Columbia, a sign of the many winning moments to come. The official stadium, with its 32,000 wooden seats, debuted five years later, marking a new era for Columbia athletics. For over five decades, this wooden giant hosted countless games, becoming a symbol of Columbia spirit. It wasn’t just football that graced Baker Field. Baseball, lacrosse, track and field, and even the first televised sporting event in history took place right here.
On May 17, 1939, Baker Field etched its name in history books. A Columbia-Princeton baseball game became the first live television broadcast of a sporting event. The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) beamed the images to the few hundred television sets capable of receiving the signal. This groundbreaking broadcast paved the way for the televised sporting events we enjoy today. Think about it, the world of televised sports, as we know it, began right here on Baker Field.
Over the years, Baker Field has undergone transformations, reflecting the changing times. In 1984, five acres were sold to Presbyterian Hospital for the construction of the Allen Pavilion. In return, Columbia received funding for renovations, including the construction of the Lawrence A. Wien Stadium. This new stadium, later renamed Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, opened in 1984 and now serves as the home for Columbia’s football, lacrosse, and track and field teams. The stadium’s capacity is now 17,000, a more intimate setting than its wooden predecessor, yet no less electrifying.
Today, Baker Field, now often referred to as Baker Athletics Complex, encompasses a wide array of facilities. From the modern Wien Stadium to the Columbia Soccer Stadium, Robertson Field at Satow Stadium for baseball, and the Dick Savitt Tennis Center, this complex caters to a diverse range of athletic pursuits. Even the boathouses, the Gould-Remmer and the 1929, stand as testaments to Columbia’s rowing tradition, with teams practicing on the nearby Hudson and Harlem Rivers. Baker Field stands as a testament to Columbia University’s enduring commitment to athletics. It is a place where student-athletes push their limits, where legends are made, and where the roar of the lion echoes through the Inwood neighborhood.