NYU Commencement at Yankee Stadium : Michael Strahan and Yankee Haters

Getting booed at your own graduation usually isn’t something to smile about, but for me a self proclaimed member of Chris “Mad Dog” Russo Anti-Yankee Crack Committee, it was a moment I’ll never forget.  What a way to celebrate the first and last college commencement at Yankee Stadium than to get to speak on Diamond Vision—in a Red Sox hat. 

With Washington Square Park, the traditional site for New York University’s Commencement, under constructions NYU was forced to move the 176^th Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2008, out of Washington Square Park and into Yankee Stadium.  While it was said to be a neutral decision because the Mets were at home, many were hesitant at the idea at graduating in the home of the “Evil Empire”. 

For a school like NYU that has had an undefeated football team for some 50 years now (since they last played a game), sports is rarely at the forefront.  That wasn’t the case on Wednesday, when even President Sexton replaced the traditional Cap with a Yankees Cap. 

As Michael Strahan, who would receive the Lewis Rudin Exemplary Service Award for his contributions to New York City, first began to walk in from the outfield; no one seemed to notice him hidden in a purple gown.  That was until he reached the Sports Management section.  As he passed by our section right behind Third Base, we began to shower Strahan with “One More Year” chants. 

 One of the more embarrassing moments of the ceremony came when Strahan came up to accept his award.  After an introduction that brought memories of the Super Bowl run back to Giants fans minds, President Sexton introduced the Super Bowl Champion as Michael “Stray-hawn.”  Ouch.

           As Strahan addressed the graduated he called on them to look to the Giants season as inspiration.  "Live your life. If there's ever a story to learn, it's my story, and the story of the New York Giants …That perseverance and all those things will carry you through life, and you’ll never know where you’ll end up. Do you think I ever thought I would end up talking to you? Absolutely not!” 

          Strahan wasn’t the only sports recognition of the Day.  Ironically two of the other speakers selected were both Red Sox fans, again to the dismay of the crowd. 

          One of those Red Sox fans Laurence Tribe, recounted some of the great moments in Yankee stadium from Lou Gehrig to the recent visit from the Pope, bringing some significance to this the only commencement that has or will ever take place in Yankee Stadium. 

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