I went to the BC - NC State game Saturday night in Chestnut Hill. Both teams had only lost one game. We were in Boston for my wife's class reunion at BC.
My first thought is how lucky I am to be a PSU grad. BC has a beautiful campus, the weather was awesome, but it is not the Division 1 Football environment I am used to. Tailgating is limited to 3 1/2 hours before the game. We spent the morning near the Seaport in Boston and the town was hopping. Actually saw a few NC State fans there, which was unique as there were very few at the game itself. Had a lobster roll by the water, could have been a Todd Blackledge Taste of the Town moment.
This was a night game so fans started arriving mid afternoon and the campus seemed alive. Tailgating is spread out in small fields and parking lots. BC made everyone attending any event show proof of vaccine, so there were many lines with people holding 24 packs waiting for their wristband. I did not see an RV anywhere, but there certainly were some decent tailgates. I ended up in Shay Field (Sp?), which used to be their primo tailgating lot, may still be, but it has shrunk and was pretty subdued based on my experience. You can only get into Shay Field with a barcode sent given by the holder of a numbered spot so that is limiting. The area is really right next to the stadium on the football practice area and I would say that almost half the numbered spots were empty. I just don't get that given that both teams were having good years, it was a rare Saturday night game in Chestnut Hill.
The game itself did not live up to the hype. I give the BC student section props. They were in early and fired up. The rest of the crowd was very late in arrival. The stands were not half full at kickoff, but were mostly full by the end of the first quarter. Again, not sure I get it. They do serve beer at the stadium in BC. Long lines for it, but I did not really see bad behavior, certainly nothing like they had in Knoxville. The game was competitive for a half, but NC State kicked BC's butt in the second half. BC made lots of mistakes, false starts, a punter dropping the ball and a NC State defender picking it up for a TD, not things a really good team does. NC State actually looked very solid in most phases of the game, I am wondering if they are underrated?
All in all, BC is trying, but the environment is just not even close to PSU or other big Division 1 programs I see. I question whether they even make money on football? My photo is taken from my $10 seat.
My first thought is how lucky I am to be a PSU grad. BC has a beautiful campus, the weather was awesome, but it is not the Division 1 Football environment I am used to. Tailgating is limited to 3 1/2 hours before the game. We spent the morning near the Seaport in Boston and the town was hopping. Actually saw a few NC State fans there, which was unique as there were very few at the game itself. Had a lobster roll by the water, could have been a Todd Blackledge Taste of the Town moment.
This was a night game so fans started arriving mid afternoon and the campus seemed alive. Tailgating is spread out in small fields and parking lots. BC made everyone attending any event show proof of vaccine, so there were many lines with people holding 24 packs waiting for their wristband. I did not see an RV anywhere, but there certainly were some decent tailgates. I ended up in Shay Field (Sp?), which used to be their primo tailgating lot, may still be, but it has shrunk and was pretty subdued based on my experience. You can only get into Shay Field with a barcode sent given by the holder of a numbered spot so that is limiting. The area is really right next to the stadium on the football practice area and I would say that almost half the numbered spots were empty. I just don't get that given that both teams were having good years, it was a rare Saturday night game in Chestnut Hill.
The game itself did not live up to the hype. I give the BC student section props. They were in early and fired up. The rest of the crowd was very late in arrival. The stands were not half full at kickoff, but were mostly full by the end of the first quarter. Again, not sure I get it. They do serve beer at the stadium in BC. Long lines for it, but I did not really see bad behavior, certainly nothing like they had in Knoxville. The game was competitive for a half, but NC State kicked BC's butt in the second half. BC made lots of mistakes, false starts, a punter dropping the ball and a NC State defender picking it up for a TD, not things a really good team does. NC State actually looked very solid in most phases of the game, I am wondering if they are underrated?
All in all, BC is trying, but the environment is just not even close to PSU or other big Division 1 programs I see. I question whether they even make money on football? My photo is taken from my $10 seat.
