Football Celebrates 150th Anniversary
Oct 31 | Football
Day-long festivities commemorate Rutgers University as the Birthplace of College Football
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – The year-long celebration of the Birthplace of College Football will culminate on Nov. 6, the 150th anniversary of the sport, when Rutgers football hosts events to commemorate its significance as the site of the first college football game. The first two events are open to the public, while attendance to the third event is by invite only.
Ringing of the Bells at Old Queens
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Old Queens
Event Info: Open to the public
Birthplace of College Football Sign Unveil
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: College Avenue Gym
Event Info: Open to the public
"A Celebration at the Birthplace: 150 Years of College Football"
Time: 6 p.m. – Cocktail hour and red carpet arrival
7 p.m. – Program begins
Location: New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
Event Info: Attendance by invite only
Rutgers Athletics will begin the celebration with the Ringing of the Bells at Old Queens on the College Avenue campus. The bell, gifted to the University from Colonel Henry Rutgers in 1826, is reserved to mark significant occasions university-wide. The event is open to the public and fans are invited to convene outside of Old Queens for the ringing of the bells and a performance by the Rutgers Glee Club.
A Rutgers drumline will then lead a procession of Rutgers Athletics representatives, fans and guests to the College Avenue Gym for the unveil of a new plaque to commemorate the first game. The new plaque, which was donated by Devco and the City of New Brunswick, will mark the site where Rutgers defeated Princeton on Nov. 6, 1869. The event is open to the public and will include an exclusive student giveaway.
The day-long festivities will wrap up with a special event to highlight the growth of college football from its inception in 1869 through present day. "A Celebration at the Birthplace: 150 Years of College Football," hosted by BTN's Dave Revsine, will feature a panel of speakers who will share the stories and experiences around college football. In addition to Revsine, noted college football historian Ron A. Smith, will be on hand to discuss the early years of college football. The panels will include appearances by former Scarlet Knights Marco Battaglia, Brian Leonard and Mike Teel, in addition to Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany and Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez.
In addition to the events planned for Nov. 6, fans are encouraged to visit the Alexander Library to view "Rutgers Football from the Vault: Celebrating 150 Years," an exhibition that celebrates Rutgers' legacy as the birthplace of the first intercollegiate football game and covers the entirety of Rutgers' football history.
Walk from the first game versus Princeton on November 6, 1869 all the way through Rutgers joining the Big Ten. Each case covers a decade of Rutgers history providing a window to view the teams and players as well as the campus and student fans through each time period. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
Ringing of the Bells at Old Queens
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Old Queens
Event Info: Open to the public
Birthplace of College Football Sign Unveil
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: College Avenue Gym
Event Info: Open to the public
"A Celebration at the Birthplace: 150 Years of College Football"
Time: 6 p.m. – Cocktail hour and red carpet arrival
7 p.m. – Program begins
Location: New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
Event Info: Attendance by invite only
Rutgers Athletics will begin the celebration with the Ringing of the Bells at Old Queens on the College Avenue campus. The bell, gifted to the University from Colonel Henry Rutgers in 1826, is reserved to mark significant occasions university-wide. The event is open to the public and fans are invited to convene outside of Old Queens for the ringing of the bells and a performance by the Rutgers Glee Club.
A Rutgers drumline will then lead a procession of Rutgers Athletics representatives, fans and guests to the College Avenue Gym for the unveil of a new plaque to commemorate the first game. The new plaque, which was donated by Devco and the City of New Brunswick, will mark the site where Rutgers defeated Princeton on Nov. 6, 1869. The event is open to the public and will include an exclusive student giveaway.
The day-long festivities will wrap up with a special event to highlight the growth of college football from its inception in 1869 through present day. "A Celebration at the Birthplace: 150 Years of College Football," hosted by BTN's Dave Revsine, will feature a panel of speakers who will share the stories and experiences around college football. In addition to Revsine, noted college football historian Ron A. Smith, will be on hand to discuss the early years of college football. The panels will include appearances by former Scarlet Knights Marco Battaglia, Brian Leonard and Mike Teel, in addition to Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany and Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez.
In addition to the events planned for Nov. 6, fans are encouraged to visit the Alexander Library to view "Rutgers Football from the Vault: Celebrating 150 Years," an exhibition that celebrates Rutgers' legacy as the birthplace of the first intercollegiate football game and covers the entirety of Rutgers' football history.
Walk from the first game versus Princeton on November 6, 1869 all the way through Rutgers joining the Big Ten. Each case covers a decade of Rutgers history providing a window to view the teams and players as well as the campus and student fans through each time period. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 04
Saturday, April 25
Thursday, April 23
