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ROBERT K. KRAFT FIELD AT LAWRENCE A. WIEN STADIUM
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QUICK FACTS
Official Name: Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium
Date Opened: September 22, 1984
Seating Capacity: 17,000
Surface/Structure: Field Turf (2015), Concrete based stadium
Location: Baker Athletics Complex, Inwood-Manhattan, New York City
Original Cost: $7 million in 1983
Stadium Named For: Lawrence A. Wien
Field Named For: Robert K. Kraft
Address: 505 West 218th Street, New York, N.Y. 10034
First Football Game: vs. Lafayette, September 22, 1984
Architect: Dattner Architects
THE FACILITY
Located on the banks of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers and within Columbia University’s 21-acre Baker Athletic Complex, Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium (pronounced WEEN) is the cornerstone of an impressive collection of facilities for Columbia University.
One of the most modern football stadiums on the East Coast featuring beautiful views of the Hudson River and fall foliage from adjacent Inwood Hill Park, Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium was described by Sports Illustrated as “one of the most beautiful places in the country to watch a football game.”
In addition, Stadium Journey ranked Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium as the top football stadium among all Ivy League schools and No. 9 nationally in its 2018 survey of all 124 FCS stadiums. In its review, Stadium Journey wrote: “Columbia Football’s home field is special. Nestled on the northern tip of Manhattan in a hilly, residential neighborhood, it boasts a wonderful view of the Hudson River and a backdrop of fall foliage from nearby Inwood Hill Park.”
In its fourth decade as the official Lions’ Den, Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium seats 17,000 and is home to Columbia's football and women’s lacrosse teams. The stadium, which opened in 1984, also boasts a 400-meter outdoor track and is utilized by Columbia’s other outdoor varsity sports. It is the largest multi-purpose stadium on the island of Manhattan and the only regulation-sized football stadium with a capacity of 10,000 or more in Manhattan.
A brand-new FieldTurf artificial playing surface was installed at Wien Stadium during the summer of 2015. The Lions practice and compete on FieldTurf, the same infill system used by many NFL teams. FieldTurf was first installed at the stadium in 2005 replacing AstroTurf.
In October 2007, Columbia announced that the playing field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium would be named Robert K. Kraft Field in honor of Robert Kraft '63CC, owner of the New England Patriots and Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group.
In addition to providing a modern facility for Columbia's student-athletes, Lawrence A. Wien Stadium acts as a modern athletics arena in a traditional setting which provides for the needs of fans, alumni and the media. The Columbia press box, located on the east side of the field, stands at the top of a three-level structure that also houses the Maniatty-Remer Lounge, home to numerous game day and offseason alumni gatherings. The Maniatty-Remmer Lounge was remodeled prior to the 2015 season. The East stands below the press and lounge areas, hold 10,500 spectators in armchair, contour and bench seats. In 1986, the construction of the 6,500-seat west bleachers increased stadium capacity to the current 17,000. New and updated Columbia branding was added in 2018.
Over the years, Lawrence A. Wien Stadium has been the site of numerous football television broadcasts by various networks including ESPN, NBC Sports Network, Fox College, CBS Sports Network, Ivy League Digital Network, Public Broadcasting System, Yes Network and OneWorld Sports.
Beyond the west stands is a panoramic view of Spuyten Duyvil and Inwood Hill Park, the confluence of the Hudson and Harlem rivers, the apartment skyscrapers of Riverdale and the New Jersey Palisades. The view is one reason that Wien Stadium was featured in Sports Illustrated as one of the “most beautiful places in the country” to watch a football game. It is also one of three college football stadiums located on and with a direct view of the Hudson River. The views of the Hudson River: Columbia’s Robert K. Kraft Field, Army West Point’s Michie Stadium and Marist’s Tenney Stadium.
Dressing facilities for teams, coaches and officials are located within Chrystie Field House, while the coaches’ offices, team meeting rooms, conference rooms and fully equipped strength and conditioning facility are located at the Campbell Sports Center, which opened in 2012.
Wien Stadium also boasts a 400-meter, all-weather, eight-lane track, making it the finest track & field facilities in the New York City area. Since its installation, it has been the site for the New York Track & Field Games, the Heptagonal Championships and the Metropolitan Championships. At the north end, the stadium also features a video scoreboard which was installed in 2009, one of the first of its kind in the Ivy League.
The stadium was originally named for Lawrence A. Wien, ‘25CC, ’28LAW, a former Columbia trustee, prominent philanthropist, lawyer and entrepreneur, who donated $3 million to the project before his passing in 1988. Subsequent gifts from Wien paid for the west stands, the 3,500-seat Columbia Soccer Stadium, and the Mae Wien Center for Women’s Athletics.
The original Baker Field was purchased for the university by financier George H. Baker for $700,000 on December 31, 1921. It was dedicated the following April, but it was not until 1923 that the Columbia football team began playing there. A 32,000-seat wooden stadium was built on the site in 1928; this was in use until 1982, when it was demolished to make room for the current Wien Stadium.
ROBERT K. KRAFT FIELD AT LAWRENCE A. WIEN STADIUM AMENITIES
- Competition home to Columbia’s football and women’s lacrosse teams
- New Field Turf installed in 2015
- 17,000 chairback and bleacher seats
- Outstanding view of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers
- 400-meter all-weather, eight-lane track
- Configurable for other sports including soccer, track and field and other activities.
- Scoreboard featuring hi-def videoboard, installed in 2009
- Elevator access Press Box with two levels for media/television (third floor) and the Maniatty Remer Lounge for alumni functions (second floor)
- Two full-service concessions stands
- Full-service ticket operation
- Plentiful restrooms
- Roof for television cameras
- Access to Chrystie Field House (locker rooms, team meeting rooms, training room, equipment room)
- Access to Campbell Sports Center (team meeting rooms, weight room, coaches’ offices)
EVENTS HOSTED AT ROBERT K. KRAFT FIELD AT LAWRENCE A. WIEN STADIUM
Columbia Football Games
Columbia Women’s Lacrosse Games
New York Track & Field Games
Heptagonal Track & Field Championships
Metropolitan Track & Field Championships
2018 Ivy League Men’s Lacrosse Tournament
2019 Ivy League Men’s Lacrosse Tournament
NYPD vs. Corrections Officers Game
Graduation Ceremonies for other schools
PSAL High School Lacrosse Playoffs
CHSAA High School Lacrosse Playoffs
AAIS Lacrosse Games
AAIS Track and Field Events
New York City Public Schools Field Days
Columbia Intramurals
New Era Pinstripe Bowl practice venue for one of the two teams
Various community service activities and initiatives
STADIUM JOURNEY'S TOP 2018 IVY LEAGUE FOOTBALL STADIUMS
1. COLUMBIA (No. 9 nationally)
2. Penn (28 nationally)
3. Harvard (34)
4. Yale (36)
5. Dartmouth (41)
6. Cornell (60)
7. Brown (67)
8. Princeton (72)
DID YOU KNOW?
Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium is one of three college football stadiums located on the Hudson River. Three schools’ football stadiums have a direct view of the Hudson River: Columbia’s Robert K. Kraft Field, Army’s Michie Stadium and Marist’s Tenney Stadium.
ROBERT K. KRAFT FIELD AT LAWRENCE A. WIEN STADIUM HISTORICAL TIMELINE
December 31, 1921
Columbia takes title to the tract of land that includes Baker Field by means of a $700,000 gift from financier George F. Baker. The University breaks ground on Baker Field shortly after.
April, 1922
Baker Field is dedicated with Columbia’s first spring football practice held on the grounds. Columbia’s football team practices at Baker Field during the fall, but plays its 1922 schedule at South Field on the main campus.
1923
Original 15,000-seat Baker Field opens with temporary seating. Natural grass was installed and remained until 1994.
September 29, 1923
Columbia plays its first home football game at Baker Field, defeating Ursinus, 13-0.
1928
The University builds the 32,000-seat wooden stadium that stands for 55 years until it was razed in spring, 1983.
September 29, 1928
Columbia plays its first game in its permanent stadium featuring wooden stands as the Lions defeat Vermont 20-0.
November 11, 1933
Columbia defeats Navy 14-7 after the Middies had beaten Notre Dame earlier in the year. The Lions conclude the 1933 season with an undefeated 6-0 record at home en route to an 8-1 overall record. On January 1, 1934, Columbia defeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
October 25, 1947
Columbia plays its most famous game at Baker Field, a 21-20 defeat of Army. The win ended the Cadet’s 32-game unbeaten streak.
November 18, 1961
Columbia defeats Penn 37-6 at Baker Field to close out conference play with a 6-1 league record and share of the Ivy League title. On the previous Saturday, Columbia defeated Dartmouth 35-14. The Lions concluded the 1961 season with a 6-3 overall record.
November 6, 1971
Paul Kaliades kicks a 34-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to help Columbia upset Dartmouth 31-29 at Baker Field. The kick snapped the Big Green’s 15-game unbeaten streak.
April 26, 1982
Columbia President Michael I Sovern announces a $3 million gift from Lawrence A. Wien, which marks the beginning of a campaign to build a new stadium.
November 20, 1982
Columbia plays its last game at Baker Field, a 35-21 loss to Brown in the regular season finale. The contest marked the 323rd game at the facility.
September 22, 1984
Lawrence A. Wien Stadium opens by hosting Harvard in its inaugural game.
October 8, 1988
Columbia registers its first win at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, a 16-13 victory over Ivy League rival Princeton.
1986
West stands were dedicated as construction of 6,500 seats on the west side increased stadium capacity to its current 17,000.
1987
Columbia installs a 400-meter all-weather eight lane track and $100,000 computerized scoreboard and message board. The scoreboard, which stands at the northern end of the stadium, was donated by Thomas M. Macioce.
1995
Lawrence A. Wien Stadium natural grass is replaced by AstroTurf. The AstroTurf would remain for 11 years.
Spring, 1999
Columbia installs a new videoboard, the first of its kind in the Ivy League.
2005
New FieldTurf surface replaces the AstroTurf.
October 13, 2007
After a $5 million donation by Robert K. Kraft, ’63 CC, the field was named in his honor. More on Kraft’s donation in the New York Times. The owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots, Kraft served two terms as a University Trustee.
Spring, 2009
Columbia updates its videoboard and replaces its running track.
January 2012
Columbia opens its brand-new, state-of-the-art Campbell Sports Center at the Baker Athletics Complex, which features coaches’ offices, team meeting rooms, conference rooms and a fully-equipped strength and conditioning facility.
Spring 2015
Columbia updates its playing surface with updated, brand-new FieldTurf prior to the 2016 football season. In addition, the University remodels the Maniatty-Remmer Lounge.
November 20, 2015
Columbia plays its first-ever Friday night home game under the lights when it hosts Brown.
February 2, 2017
Columbia opens its brand-new Bubble at Baker, a heated air-supported dome and Seasonal Air-Supported Structure (SASS) enclosing Rocco Commisso Soccer Stadium.
