Princeton U. opens football stadium

If you build it, they will come. So far, this cliche even holds true for Princeton football. In front of Saturday's sellout crowd of 27,800, Princeton hosted Cornell in Princeton Stadium's inaugural game. Following the 1996 season, Princeton tore down the 45,750-seat, 82-year-old Palmer Stadium. Subsequently, the Tigers played all of their 1997 games on the road, as the $45 million Princeton Stadium was being built for the 1998 season. Before the game began, the university held a 23-minute dedication ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by ABC News' Charles Gibson, a 1965 Princeton graduate. After the national anthem, Princeton varsity football alumni from the early 1930s to 1998 gathered on the field. Special tribute was given to the 1998 alumni, who played their entire senior year on the road, so that Princeton Stadium could be constructed. The ceremony continued with remarks from Princeton President Harold Shapiro, which were followed by the singing of "Old Nassau." As the Princeton faithful sang the song, they symbolically raised the stadium flag to christen Princeton Stadium. Princeton Stadium's best feature is actually something that it lacks -- a track surrounding the field of play. The absence of a track puts fans closer to the action. In fact, the closest seats are only 17 feet from the playing field. Princeton elected not to add a track because the school built the separate Weaver Track and Field Stadium, which opened last spring, in conjunction with Princeton Stadium. However, some problems still remain. You would think Princeton fans would love their new football mecca. Many Tiger fans openly complained about the lack of simple amenities. "I asked if this place had water fountains, and they said no," one disgruntled fan said. "Palmer Stadium had water fountains and better concession stands. I can't believe this." The majority of fans said they waited on line unhappily for half an hour for concessions. Cornell won the first coin toss in stadium history and deferred. Princeton elected to receive, and the first play from scrimmage was an incomplete pass from senior quarterback John Burnham to senior wide receiver Ray Canole. The first score was a 47-yard field goal, kicked by Princeton senior Alex Sierk. Princeton held on to win the inaugural game, 6-0. If you ever head up to Princeton for a football game -- perhaps on November 7 when Penn travels to Princeton -- enjoy the stadium's great sightlines. But remember, if you want to watch the game, bring your own food.