Giants pre-season at Rose Hill? The Giants have always had their camps in Albany to extend the reach of their brand upstate but with the Jets potential move to Manhattan (or maybe Queens) might it finally be in the Giants' best interests to defend their brand in NYC by bringing their off season to Fordham? I think you can make a great argument that Hofstra's upgraded facilities have come not only from the university's commitment to football but from the Jets using it as their offseason & pre-season home. Given Mr. Mara's Fordham ties, is it even the realm of the possible? -- FORDHAM RAMS FOOTBALL FORUM

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Subject: Giants pre-season at Rose Hill? The Giants have always had their camps in Albany to extend the reach of their brand upstate but with the Jets potential move to Manhattan (or maybe Queens) might it finally be in the Giants' best interests to defend their brand in NYC by bringing their off season to Fordham? I think you can make a great argument that Hofstra's upgraded facilities have come not only from the university's commitment to football but from the Jets using it as their offseason & pre-season home. Given Mr. Mara's Fordham ties, is it even the realm of the possible?

Author:
Ramalamadingdong
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Date Posted: 12:47:16 02/23/05 Wed

It certainly would help provide some impetus for the facilities improvements that we need, not to mention the great PR we would get to help with recruiting every time the media reports that "The Giants opened up camp at Forham University today" ... but I guess it's always been in FU's best interests to have them here.

Is it possible that it might now be in the Giants' best interests to do so? Has anyone ever approached Mr. Mara with this thought?

(note - the message was too long to include all of it in the subject line ... apologies for having part of it down here)

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The Giants have not always had their pre-season camp in Albany. Over the years, they've been at Fairfield U., Pace U. in Pleasantville and I believe in New Jersey at Fairleigh Dickinson (?). Back in the early '50's the Giants practised some at FU, waiting for the baseball season to end. It would be nice to have them but I don't believe we have enough room. (NT) OldRam 13:02:57 02/23/05 Wed

Thanks for the info. Once I read your post I remembered that they had it at Pace (wasn't aware of Fairfield). I'm also not sure what is required from a space standpoint. Other than the main field and Murphy field as well as dorms and rooms to watch films, etc. what would they need that FU could not accomodate? Thanks again for the response. (NT) -- Ramalamadingdong, 13:42:15 02/23/05 Wed

Here are some ideas off the top of my head (more inside) -- DamnRam, 13:09:46 02/24/05 Thu

They were at Fordham through the mid sixties (NT) -- Remember when, 14:16:22 02/23/05 Wed

I could be wrong but I don't believe they ever had their full pre-season camp at FU-when they were playing at Yankee Stadium, they used our facilites while the baseball season was still on. I remember the LA Rams practising at FU. (NT) -- OldRam, 14:25:33 02/23/05 Wed

I believe at one time late '40s or early '50s Giants used Bear Mountain & Inn for training and then, as posted, would practice at Fordham while waiting for baseball to end. While at FDU for several years, the Giants were a problem as far as the upscale Madison community was concerned, e.g. crowds & traffic. I do not think Fordham has sufficient number of practice fields, first rate training facilities (weights, etc.), and overall interest in the dubious value of having the Giants. Let's focus on Fordham and not on worthless marketing gimmicks. In short, we do not need the Giants at Fordham. (NT) -- ramvet, 14:38:53 02/23/05 Wed

You are right-they did use Bear Mtn and they ran into the same problem at Fairfield as at FDU. I also agree with your conclusion...nuff said on this. (NT) -- OldRam, 14:51:56 02/23/05 Wed
Interesting takes. If we take the cheezy mktg. aspect out of things, might having them here help us upgrade our facilities. I believe that in addition to an increased contribution from Hofstra towards football in the early 90's, the Jets have also contributed quite a bit towards upgrading Hofstra's overall facilities (please correct me if that's wrong). So, would bringing them in help us fund some of the much needed improvement in our facilities (which seems to be an agreed upon subject based on the various threads posted throughout the board)? (NT) -- ramalamadingdong, 16:18:41 02/23/05 Wed

At the Prep from '63-'66 roughly, the Jints were regulars on campus and were about as classy a group as there was. You could sit with them in the Campus Center and shoot the breeze after practice. I remember walking out of McGinley with Alex Webster on the Friday before a big game against the Browns. Gifford, Robustelli, Rote, Katcavage, et al. - a very friendly bunch. Those Giants held a special place for Fordham not only on account of the Mara / Lombardi connection, but in particular they loved our / their legendary trainer, Johnny Dziegel. (NT) -- whm, 15:28:49 02/23/05 Wed

I remember Gifford playfully teaching Webster at the cashier's line at the Campus Center, the difference between the quarters and half dollars. They watched -- and I recall once cheered at a catch I made -- intramurals on Edwards Parade on their way to and from practice. At the Prep, we used used their old equipment, which Wellington Mara, Co Chairman of the Gridiron Club, donated. Years later, Donnie Trump, who kicked for us briefly before he was injured (as well as playing tennis and squash) , gave the NY General's eqipment to Fordham. Memories! (NT) -- R. Marrin, 19:49:55 02/23/05 Wed

Wow, what a riveting story about an intramural game........ let em guess, you had the same hairstyle back then? (NT) -- Johnny WhoCares, 09:00:58 02/26/05 Sat

Giants were at Monmouth College during the early 70's (NT) FC 15:48:22 02/23/05 Wed

be careful what you wish for. My recollection of their stay in NJ is that they tend to be more hassle then they are worth. The "upgrades" aren't done by them, they expect the school to do them. basically, my impression is that they treat you like a cheap whore and toss you away when their done with you. Lehigh hosts the Eagles, any Lehigh fans have an opinion? (NT) -- colgate13, 16:17:23 02/23/05 Wed

Good point. If the school is expected to fund all improvements, this would have to be filed under 'stupid' and sent to the wastebasket. i thought i had read that the Jets contributed to the Hofstra upgrades, though, but I'm unable to find a link to support. Anyone else know what the general rule is regarding who pays (college or NFL team ... or both)? (NT) -- ramalamadingdong, 16:25:41 02/23/05 Wed

I too recall the Giants at FU in the early sixties. Jimmy Patton, Gifford et al. The NFL season started later in those days so there was a mix of players & students, something that would be minimized with today's schedule. Also, the NFL was not as popular and as I recall, there were no crowds to speak of coming to watch workouts. The players were approachable and I found it a nice experience. With security issues, crowds et al, that experience would not necessarily recur today. (NT) Jimbo65 09:11:11 02/24/05 Thu

I found 1 Newsday article (inside this post) that references the Jets contributing heavily towards facilities improvements/upgrades at Hofstra ... for what it's worth. Ramalamadingdong 12:00:59 02/24/05 Thu

Once upon a time the Jets had to compete for practice time with the Mets when they both played at Shea. One time returning from a bad loss into La Guardia the coach looked out the window and saw a green field not too far from Shea. A deal was made and the Jets could practice there as long as the prisoners could watch when they weren't in lockdown... the land was on Riker's Island! Maybe we could do the same thing by painting a sign on the field that says: "Wellington, let the Giants practice here!". Doubt he flys into La Guardia, though. (NT) -- Ram '91, 18:40:36 02/24/05 Thu

The Jets have made a significant contribution to the athletic facilities at Hofstra because it is their year-round home. The Giants train out at the Meadowlands during the season so with the exception of summer camp, they would have no reason to be involved at Fordham the rest of the year. By the way, in the late '60's they also practiced at Maritime College out in Throggs Neck while waiting for the baseball season to end. (NT) -- Ramadama, 19:31:13 02/24/05 Thu

Good point on the 'year round' home comment. (NT) -- Ramalamadingdong, 12:34:50 02/28/05 Mon