Delightful. How else to describe a visit to Riordan's tidy, compact campus off the former Phelan Avenue Saturday afternoon? It was our first in five years. The weather was stunning, the views out toward the old, abandoned reservoir land terrific. The football game that pitted San Francisco neighbor St. Ignatius against the home team became almost secondary. Almost.
Riordan authorities have done a splendid job of renovating and jamming as many athletic amenities onto a very limited site as possible (the lack of a turfed practice field cannot be helpful, especially with the new coed component). With no bleachers on the visitors' side of the multi-purpose field, seating capacity is inadequate for an important game like Saturday's. Well over 2,000 fans attended the affair and too many of them had to stand. It didn't seem to matter much, however.
With no actual restrooms available, a row of portable loos (not good at all for the handicapped) stood like blue sentinels near the excellent tri-tip grilling operation. Since a baseball diamond intrudes partially onto the football field (all on artificial turf), we wound up sitting on ancient, well-preserved Candlestick Park seats along the first base line at one point. Very nice. But viewing there was less than wonderful.
Parking, of course, is problematic but that's always the case in a city like SF. The public address system is poor but that may be a product of rules limiting sound volume at a field that tightly abuts residential properties on two sides. There were no cheer squads for either school. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Riordan football experience is the school's nattily-attired marching band, without doubt the finest and most melodious in that urban community. High marks for them.
As for the ballgame itself, a 41-34 Riordan victory, it did not lack action, good, bad and, sometimes, ugly. Far too many glitches, gaffes and goofs by both units. The referees were busy. But Riordan was clearly the stronger outfit, bigger, faster, deeper. On balance, the Riordan football experience is worth a try. It's different, unique in many ways, nothing like that found to the south in the WCAL's more spacious and accommodating suburban venues.
One more thing. We found nothing but friendly, helpful individuals at the entrance gates and at the field itself. High marks for one and all when it comes to people skills and organization. Nice work. We'll be back, seating availability or not. Those tri-tips beckon.
Riordan authorities have done a splendid job of renovating and jamming as many athletic amenities onto a very limited site as possible (the lack of a turfed practice field cannot be helpful, especially with the new coed component). With no bleachers on the visitors' side of the multi-purpose field, seating capacity is inadequate for an important game like Saturday's. Well over 2,000 fans attended the affair and too many of them had to stand. It didn't seem to matter much, however.
With no actual restrooms available, a row of portable loos (not good at all for the handicapped) stood like blue sentinels near the excellent tri-tip grilling operation. Since a baseball diamond intrudes partially onto the football field (all on artificial turf), we wound up sitting on ancient, well-preserved Candlestick Park seats along the first base line at one point. Very nice. But viewing there was less than wonderful.
Parking, of course, is problematic but that's always the case in a city like SF. The public address system is poor but that may be a product of rules limiting sound volume at a field that tightly abuts residential properties on two sides. There were no cheer squads for either school. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Riordan football experience is the school's nattily-attired marching band, without doubt the finest and most melodious in that urban community. High marks for them.
As for the ballgame itself, a 41-34 Riordan victory, it did not lack action, good, bad and, sometimes, ugly. Far too many glitches, gaffes and goofs by both units. The referees were busy. But Riordan was clearly the stronger outfit, bigger, faster, deeper. On balance, the Riordan football experience is worth a try. It's different, unique in many ways, nothing like that found to the south in the WCAL's more spacious and accommodating suburban venues.
One more thing. We found nothing but friendly, helpful individuals at the entrance gates and at the field itself. High marks for one and all when it comes to people skills and organization. Nice work. We'll be back, seating availability or not. Those tri-tips beckon.
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