NEW YORK—For the fourth consecutive year, the Columbia Football Team returns to the Columbia University South Lawn for a final walkthrough Friday afternoon at approximately 5 p.m. ET. Kickoff for Columbia's final non-conference game vs. Marist on Saturday at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium is at 1:05 p.m. ET. The game will be televised live on ESPN+.
 
Practicing and conducting a walk-through on the South Lawn honors Columbia's 128-year football tradition. The team played its games for seven years from 1915-1922 at the South Lawn prior to moving to its current Baker Athletic Complex and Baker Field in 1923. For many years, the two lawns formed a contiguous field, with stands framing the end zones to the east and west and the 50-yard line pointed due north toward Low Memorial Library. Columbia Hall of Famers Bill Morley, Harold Weekes and Lou Gehrig played at the field. The South Lawn initially opened as an athletic practice facility in 1897. It wasn't until 1915 that Columbia first hosted official games on the South Lawn.
 
Patricia & Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football Al Bagnoli brought football back to the South Lawn during his first season in 2015. The walk-through has established a new tradition for Columbia Football. Players will wear tee-shirts and shorts, no helmets or cleats.
 
The Lions could potentially practice on the lawn three more times in 2018, one day before each home game: Friday, Oct. 19 (prior to its Homecoming Dartmouth game), Friday, Oct. 26 (prior to its Yale game) and Friday, Nov. 16 (prior to its season-ending game and Empire State Bowl vs. Cornell).