Lehigh football team loses home game to Harvard

Lehigh's 2010 football team has already lost a game -- well not really.

The Mountain Hawks have lost a home date with Harvard. Hard to believe that two institutions of such higher learning would get things mixed up, but evidently there was a mixup when it came to which school was hosting the Oct. 16 game between Lehigh and the Crimson.

Lehigh sports information sent out this release:

The Lehigh-Harvard football game, scheduled for Saturday, October 16 will now be played at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass. A misunderstanding between the two schools resulted in both institutions planning the contest as a home game. Without this as a home game, Harvard would only have four home dates so Lehigh, which had six home dates and wanted to play the game regardless, agreed to make the trip to Cambridge for a game that will begin at 12 p.m.



“We regret any inconvenience this rather late schedule change may cause any members of our Lehigh family, but know our team will receive great support from fans and alumni in New England” said Joe Sterrett, Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics. “This was an unusual circumstance that traces back many years and both institutions share responsibility for the mistake, but we also share in the commitment to play the game. I commend Andy Coen’s positive response; the 2010 schedule was already a very challenging one and playing a perennially strong team like Harvard on their field instead of ours only adds to the challenge. Our players and our coaching staff are very excited about the 2010 schedule and season.”



“The recent schedule change with the Harvard game is one of those things that our team has no control of,” added Coen. “As always our team will be focused on the things we can control. Each week we do our best to prepare for Saturday’s game, whether we are home or away. Although we would love another home weekend at Goodman Stadium, we are still very excited to play an outstanding Harvard team. I’d be excited to play Harvard just about anywhere, and I’m sure our players feel the same.”



Lehigh Athletics will refund Harvard game tickets for fans that had already purchased six game season ticket packages for the 2010 season. Refunds will be processed either by check, or as a return on their credit card, depending on the original method of payment. If season ticket holders have questions, they may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 610-758-4263. Press ‘0’ to reach the office. Single game tickets will go on sale July 6.



Lehigh’s Family Weekend activities, scheduled for October 15-17, will remain on those dates.



Lehigh opens its 2010 football season on September 4 when the Mountain Hawks travel to Des Moines, Iowa to face the Drake Bulldogs. The Brown and White will play five home games at Goodman Stadium, beginning September 11 when Lehigh hosts defending National Champion Villanova. Other home dates include Princeton, Fordham, Bucknell and Colgate.

From Keith Groller