Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Jack Coffey Field 441 E Fordham Rd Bronx, NY 10458
Year Opened: 1930
Capacity: 7,000
Proud Tradition
Jack Coffey Field, a 7,000 seat multi-purpose stadium located in The Bronx, New York, serves as home to Fordham University’s football and soccer teams. In addition, Houlihan Park, home of the school’s baseball team, is also located here.
The field is named for Fordham alumnus, baseball coach, and major league player Jack Coffey. Coffey graduated from Fordham in 1910, and played for the Boston Doves in 1909, as well as the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox in 1918. The Fordham Rams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision and play in the Patriot League. Since beginning competition in the FCS, the Rams have made the playoffs 5 times.
Fordham football is best known for the “The Seven Blocks of Granite”, the name given to Fordham’s legendary offensive line of 1936 with Leo Paquin, Johnny Druze, Alex Wojciechowicz, Ed Franco, Al Babartsky, Mike Kochel, Harry Jacunski, Natty Pierce and Vince Lombardi. The nickname was also commonly used to refer to the Fordham lines of 1929, 1930, and the 1937 teams, but it is the 1936 line that is today the best known.
Food & Beverage 2
Concession stands at Jack Coffey Field offer your typical stadium fare. There are stands underneath the grandstand operated by Fordham’s Dining Services that sell hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, peanuts, and drinks. The grill offers a Grilled Foot Long for $6 and a Philly Cheesesteak for $8.
Coca-Cola products are featured at Jack Coffey Field. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at this campus facility.
Atmosphere 3
The game-day experience at Jack Coffey Field is average.
The Fordham pep band performs at Jack Coffey Field, and the cheerleaders perform throughout the game.
The scoreboard is nice but a bit far away since none of the seats face it. The cheerleaders, dance team, and band entertain the crowd, but the crowd is fairly laid back.
Neighborhood 3
The campus, while set in the Bronx, feels like a suburban setting with plenty of trees and greenery. Visitors often can forget they are in the middle of a city until hearing an occasional horn or siren from outside the gate. The campus borders the New York Botanical Garden, with the Bronx Zoo located just a few blocks from campus.
Visitors to the area looking for places to eat during their trip to Fordham should head over to Arthur Avenue where several fantastic Italian restaurants can be found in addition to some great bakeries. A few of our favorite restaurants include Roberto’s, Antonio’s, and Tra Di Noi.
Fans 3
Fordham attracts decent crowds to Jack Coffey Field for football games. They averaged 3,000 per game this season over 5 home games. There is a good mix of students and alums. The crowd gets into the celebration after each Fordham score as the cheerleaders and some reserves do pushups for each point scored.
Access 3
Fordham University is located right in the middle of the Bronx, only a few miles from Interstates 95 and 87, as well as the Bronx River Parkway.
Public transportation is a good option to get to Fordham. The Metro North Railroad out of Grand Central Station or coming down from Westchester has a stop next to the campus. The D line of the NYC subway system is located about a 12-minute walk from campus. In addition, city buses stop regularly just outside the gate.
If driving, there is a large parking garage ($20) on campus, located a short walk from Jack Coffey Field.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets for Fordham Rams football games are very affordable, with general admission seating costing only $15. Children and seniors are admitted for $10 and chairback seating is $20. Parking in the garage adjacent to Jack Coffey Field costs $20.
With affordable concession prices, catching a Fordham football game is a less costly entertainment option for New York sports fans.
Extras 3
Fordham alumnus Chase Edmond was a 4th round pick in the NFL draft and is currently a running back for the Arizona Cardinals.
Fordham has attempted to schedule a couple of big-time opponents each year. This year they were a last-minute addition to Nebraska schedule and played at Florida Atlantic (which qualified for a Bowl game). They got the opportunity to play before the biggest crowd in Fordham history with over 85,000 fans in attendance in Lincoln, Nebraska. Next year they are expected to play at Ohio University.
Situated in front of the Rose Hill Gym is the Fordham Victory Bell, which is traditionally rung after every football victory. The bell was presented to the University by Admiral Chester Nimitz and blessed by his Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman as a memorial to those who lost their lives during World War II.
Final Thoughts
Fordham offers an enjoyable venue to take in a football game. There is also plenty to do in this area before or after to add to the experience. The campus, with its Gothic architecture, ivy-covered buildings and expansive lawns, makes Rose Hill one of America’s most attractive college campuses.
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