The Rutgers football and baseball teams were evicted from College Field by the end of the 1880s. But a prominent Rutgers alum from the class of 1866, saved them.
Just as the 1890-91 Rutgers school year was coming to a close, the July 1, 1891 Targum proposed, “The past year has seen the College presented with an athletic field now complete in its equipment and ready to be opened with the approaching football season. For this generous gift no more suitable name could be given to the grounds than by attaching the name of the benefactor, Mr. James Neilson,’66, and calling the new athletic grounds Neilson [pronounced nel-son]Field.” Neilson Field would hold its first football game on October 24, 1891. But it was on August 19, 1891 that the grounds would host its first sporting event. The field was across the street from College Field where Records Hall, the giant smokestack, and the parking deck now exists. Mr Neilson died at 92 years old, just 20 months before Rutgers Stadium superceded his field.
By the way, James Neilson's grandfather was Colonel John Neilson who read a document to the townspeople provided by a rider out of Philadelphia on July 9, 1776. His New Brunswick reading of the Declaration of Independence followed such readings in Philadelphia and Trenton. It took place near today's Albany and Neilson Streets.
A Happy and safe 4th of July to you and your family and friends.
Just as the 1890-91 Rutgers school year was coming to a close, the July 1, 1891 Targum proposed, “The past year has seen the College presented with an athletic field now complete in its equipment and ready to be opened with the approaching football season. For this generous gift no more suitable name could be given to the grounds than by attaching the name of the benefactor, Mr. James Neilson,’66, and calling the new athletic grounds Neilson [pronounced nel-son]Field.” Neilson Field would hold its first football game on October 24, 1891. But it was on August 19, 1891 that the grounds would host its first sporting event. The field was across the street from College Field where Records Hall, the giant smokestack, and the parking deck now exists. Mr Neilson died at 92 years old, just 20 months before Rutgers Stadium superceded his field.
By the way, James Neilson's grandfather was Colonel John Neilson who read a document to the townspeople provided by a rider out of Philadelphia on July 9, 1776. His New Brunswick reading of the Declaration of Independence followed such readings in Philadelphia and Trenton. It took place near today's Albany and Neilson Streets.
A Happy and safe 4th of July to you and your family and friends.
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