Boston College Athletics
Ireland a
June 04, 2015 | Football
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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Here Boston College head football coach Steve Addazio is, the 2015 season just three short months away, and he's already thinking about the 2016 season opener.
And for good reason.
As it was announced this morning - first at approximately 8 a.m. ET in Dublin, and then on this side of the Atlantic at 11 a.m. ET in Boston - Addazio's Eagles will face ACC foe Georgia Tech in Ireland on Sept. 3, 2016, in a match to be played at the beautiful new Aviva Stadium.
"To think that our kids, as part of their college experience and education here at Boston College, are going to have the opportunity to fly overseas, to a different country to experience a different culture for many some of their roots, is unbelievable," Addazio said. "I have a son who plays here now, and he said, `What an unbelievable opportunity!' This is something that will last a lifetime and something that you will talk about forever.''
But BC fans should make no mistake. Addazio isn't bringing his troops over strictly for the cultural experience. He's going over to win ... and win an important game since it will be both BC's and Georgia Tech's ACC opener.
"It's going to be great," Addazio said. "We are going to get there earlier and enjoy everything about Dublin and about Ireland. But we are also going to go win a football game. That's something that we want to do. We want to sing our fight song for Boston in the locker room and in the stadium after that game after we win and we want to bring that trophy home and have the best experience of all time."
"We had a great vision that started a year - year and a half ago," Boston College Athletics Director Brad Bates said. "It's been wonderful to see it come to fruition.
"This game is a once-in-a-generation experience for faculty, staff, students, administration, alums, fans and the entire Boston community," Bates said. "We're thrilled to be a part of celebrating Ireland's 100-year anniversary of the 1916 classic and are privileged to engage in a memorable experience between our two countries."
Boston College and Ireland are seemingly intertwined. BC was founded by the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1863 in South Boston before moving to its current Chestnut Hill location. The original goal was to help educate the poor, labor-class Irish who had recently come to Boston. Today, in part through its connection with the region's deep Irish roots and growth, BC is one of the country's most prestigious universities.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, now in his second year leading Boston, is a BC alum and even held his Inauguration on campus. He's also a first-generation Irish-American as his parents emigrated to the U.S. from Ireland in the early 1950s. Walsh was in attendance at today's announcement.
"As Mayor, I'm grateful to see our colleges acting as ambassadors for Boston and on behalf of the United States," Walsh said. "It highlights Boston's role as a global leader in the higher educational sector.
"As a BC alum, I'm proud to see the Eagles return this tradition. As it was mentioned earlier, there was a game in Dublin and I was there and it was a great football game. I was a lot younger then but I had no idea that I would be standing here announcing the next time BC Eagles go to Ireland for a game.
"I only have one little problem with the game being in Ireland," he said. "I have many aunts and uncles, and dozens of cousins and tons of friends that once they see this broadcast, they will be calling me looking for tickets. So that will be a little bit of a problem for me but we are excited about it."
Bates was pleased to hear of the Mayor's enthusiasm for the game.
"Since taking office, the Mayor who is an alum, has made us undefeated in games he has attended. He was at the USC game when we knocked them off last year. We will be sure to have him join us again in Dublin," Bates added.
No matter who is in Dublin on Sept. 3, 2016 - and Irish Tourism executives are expecting a sell-out at Aviva Stadium, which seats about 49,000 for American football - those who travel to support the Eagles are in for a memorable experience. Travel packages are already on sale through Anthony Travel, and include top destinations throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.
And all Boston College fans will be welcomed with open arms by the Irish, who will be looking to give the visiting Americans a memorable experience.
"We will exceed your best hopes and your expectations," Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny noted in his remarks earlier this morning in Dublin. "We can't wait to see you, to give you, to share with you, what we call in the Irish language, `La d'ar saol,' a special day in our lives."
