Princeton Weekly Bulletin September 28, 1998
It's a winner!
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Tigers beat Cornell in game that opens stadium on September 19 Fans flocked to the new Princeton Stadium for the opening game on September 19: the 28,000-seat facility was sold out.
Pre-game festivities began in the late morning, with strolling musicians, face painters and tailgate parties for every class, as well as for faculty and staff.
A little before 1:00 p.m., the crowds began to move into the stadium, passing easily through the wide, shady corridors. Opening ceremonies began promptly at 1:15 p.m. After the national anthem, played by the University Band, more than 250 varsity football alumni took the field, marching P-rade-style behind their class banners to form a double horseshoe facing the Princeton side of the stands, representing classes from 1998 to 1927. To a roar of approval, the current squad made its appearance, running the length of the horseshoe between the double line of veterans.
Tigers take the field (photo: Steve Freeman)
President Shapiro offered a welcome to all those who came to celebrate the 1,085th game in the history of Princeton football. He thanked the fans, athletes, benefactors and volunteers, as well as architect Rafael Viñoly and associates, "who gave us in this grand new stadium a work of art, of science, of intellect, of imagination and of athletic grace" and the "many hundreds" of construction workers.
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The stadium, said Shapiro, "reaffirms our fundamental belief that education in its highest form must nurture--as one--the mind, the body and the spirit. It will carry forward our Tiger athletic legacy, not just in football but in many different sports, and provide a welcome gathering place for the wide Princeton community."
Cornell won the toss, and the game began at 1:40 p.m. A pair of field goals by senior Alex Sierk in the first quarter got the game off to a good start for Princeton--and ended up as the total score in a game marked by many penalties and strong defensive playing by both teams.