Counting down to Rivalry 150

Let the countdown begin.

The 150th meeting of college football’s most-played rivalry—between the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks and Lafayette College Leopards—will play out in 150 days at Yankee Stadium.  

One of the most storied competitions in the country, the matchup is expected to set The Rivalry attendance records, with an expected estimated attendance of 48,000.  

It will be only the second time in the history of The Rivalry that the teams will meet on a neutral field.  

“The response to this milestone game is a real tribute to the Lehigh and Lafayette communities,” said Joe Sterrett, the Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics at Lehigh.  “Both institutions graduate students who are passionate about their experiences and friendships and who appreciate the tradition of this annual game as a time to come together and celebrate the value of their education and the relationships they developed.  

“We look forward to sharing the special character of this game, our schools and our scholar-athletes with the broader audience generated by playing the game in New York at an iconic sports site.”

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s much-anticipated event:

•    Game kickoff is 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 22. Yankee Stadium will open two and a half hours earlier for fans to tour the stadium, socialize, watch the teams warm up and enjoy a showcase of rivalry content on the stadium video boards. Please note there are no areas where traditional tailgating can take place outside the stadium.

•    Tickets have been allocated for Lehigh students, alumni and fans. If you haven’t scored a ticket, stay tuned for information on how you will be able to see the game. You also will be able to join the conversation, and follow the excitement, at #rivalry150.

•    It’s about more than football.  Lehigh is offering a host of events for alumni and friends in New York City for Rivalry 150 Weekend.  One of the hightlights is a performance by Lehigh University Choral Arts at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. at Carnegie Hall. There also will be faculty-led walking tours of Greenwich Village and the High Line, an insider’s event at the United Nations and panel discussions with Lehigh experts on the design of high-speed vehicles, financial markets, education, and health care innovations. A Friday night celebration is also being planned. Watch for details.

•    Throwback Thursday.  Follow Lehigh on Facebook and Instagram on Thursdays this summer and fall for a nostalgic look at the games and the crowds over the past decades. You can even share your own via #LehighThrowback. The first Throwback starts tomorrow.

•    Share your Lehigh story.  Remember your first experience with The Rivalry? Which game is your most memorable? Starting in July, you’ll be able to share your story online about the Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry. Stay tuned for more details.

•    Spirit video contest. “Show your Lehigh spirit” in a video, for a chance at having it air on the big screens at Yankee Stadium on Game Day. Stay tuned for more details coming in August, including information on prize packages and how to enter.   

•    Telecast parties. Three telecasts are being planned in the city for those who want to be close to the action. Can’t get to New York? As has been the case for many years, there will be telecast parties with Lehigh and Lafayette alumni across the United States and in the United Kingdom. It will be a great way to cheer on the Mountain Hawks to victory. More details will follow as locations and times are scheduled.

•    Merchandise. Start the count down with The Rivalry t-shirts and other merchandise.

The Rivalry between Lehigh and Lafayette is among the oldest in sports history. The first game between the teams was played in 1884, and except for a brief interruption in 1896, it has been played at least once every year (and sometimes twice) ever since. It was played three times in 1891, including on a neutral field in Wilkes-Barre, with Lehigh winning 16-2.

With so many ways to join in the excitement, The Rivalry this year will certainly go down in the history books.