WATCH: Rutgers marching band plays the hits
WATCH: Rutgers marching band plays the hits
Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press
NEW YORK – As the Rutgers football team winds down its practices ahead of Thursday’s Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, the Scarlet Knights are also spending some time touring Manhattan and participating in several team events.
Among the highlights is both Rutgers and Miami players attending the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” on Monday.
Follow here throughout the week leading up to Thursday’s bowl game vs. the Miami Hurricanes as we bring you the sights and sounds of the Scarlet Knights’ time in New York as well as everything else you need to know.
Rutgers football visits 9/11 Memorial in NYC
On Tuesday that included a tour of the One World Observatory and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, a meaningful and poignant trip for a team that includes multiple players from the tri-state area.
“It’s a really powerful place,” said wide receiver Christian Dremel, who grew up in Caldwell and attended Don Bosco Prep.
Every year on Sept. 11, coach Greg Schiano discusses the events of that day in 2001 and educates his players on the importance of honoring and remembering those who were lost.
Schiano in 2001 was in the first season of his first stint with the Scarlet Knights. He’s previously talked about being able to see the smoke from Ground Zero from the practice fields at Rutgers.
“I think it’s extremely important to never forget,” Dremel said. “I think Coach Schiano does a great job with that. A lot of guys on our team, whether they’re not from this area or if they were born a little bit later, Coach every year when 9/11 comes, he takes his time to really explain it to us and talk about it. Which is I think is special and important.”
On a clear day, the One World Observatory offers 360-degree views from the highest point in New York City, but on Tuesday clouds and fog removed any visibility 100 floors up.
Still, it was a unique experience for the players.
“Even though you couldn’t see, you knew how high up you were,” said left tackle Hollin Pierce, a Trenton native. “This whole scenery, it’s very deep. Just remembering that time. It’s a really deep moment in history that’s happened. You just take it in and appreciate where you are today and how fortunate you are.”
Close to home at Pinstripe Bowl
“It’s been great,” Pierce said. “All of us together, during the holidays as well, it’s just nice. We’re bonding. Just everyday we’re doing events with each other. It’s just a really good bonding time, getting to know your teammates you haven’t really been able to talk to as much. It’s been great.”
And for players like Pierce and Dremel, who grew up close to Yankee Stadium, Thursday’s Pinstripe Bowl offers another unique opportunity to play in a bowl game so close to home.
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Dremel said the first professional sporting event he attended was at Yankee Stadium at 6 years old with his grandfather, who will be attending the Pinstripe Bowl.
“I’ve got a lot of family coming to the game,” Dremel said. “I’m excited. I know the whole team’s excited.”
Pinstripe Bowl watch parties
Looking for a place to watch the game with other Rutgers fans?
Here’s a list of watch parties happening around the country.
Official tailgate and pep rally
10 a.m.
Billy’s Sports Bar
856 River Ave.
Bronx, NY
Rutgers Club of Arizona Maricopa County
12:15 p.m. local time
Boston’s Bar & Grill
1730 E. Elliot Rd.
Tempe, AZ
Rutgers Club of NYC
11:30 a.m.
Pennsylvania 6 NYC
132 West 31st Street
New York, NY
Rutgers Club of Washington DC
2 p.m.
The Big Stick
20 M St. SW
Washington, DC
Rutgers University Camden Alumni Association
2 p.m.
The Kove
20 W Atlantic Ave.
Audubon, NJ 08106
Rutgers University Foundation
Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill
3115 NE 32nd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rutgers Club of Atlanta
2 p.m.
McCray’s Tavern
4880 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30068
Rutgers Club of Chicago
1:15 p.m.
Willie Lill’s Spirits and Kitchen
433 W Diversey Parkway
Chicago, IL 60614
Rutgers Club of New England
2:15 p.m.
Jake n JOES
70 Market Place Dr.
Waltham, MA 02451
Rutgers Club of Tampa Bay
2 p.m.
Glory Days Grill
9900 4th Street
St. Petersburg, FL