Boston College Athletics
From the Desk of the AD: Game Day
September 08, 2015 | Boston College Athletics
Driving to campus early Saturday morning, the tower of Gasson Hall stood as a beacon calling us back to campus. As I pulled up to Alumni Stadium, I was greeted by a smiling parking attendant who welcomed me to The Heights. While driving to the parking lot, I saw the television truck already parked from the night before alive with activity as the crew prepared for the broadcast. As I exited my car I was immediately hit by the smell of popcorn and other concessions.
As the morning unfolded, the sound checks began and the video board was alive with colors and last-minute fine-tuning. Soon, the Screaming Eagles Marching Band rehearsed its pregame and halftime performance on the field; is it possible to hear the drums and not get excited?
I walked to the new tailgating area on Brighton Campus and was greeted by people having an incredible time grilling food, toasting the Eagles, tossing footballs, playing cornhole and having a great time with friends and family. Walking down Campenella Way I saw a gauntlet of tents, tables, grills and enthusiasm – everybody was smiling!
Soon there was an electricity among the tailgaters as the Gasson bells were ringing and people walked to THE stairs to watch the football team march down in their BC sport coats in the traditional Eagle Walk.
The hospitality tent at Gate E was packed with fans enjoying food and beverage as hundreds strolled around enjoying the pregame festivities. Shea Field was its usual aquarium of energy and the new reserved parking system ensured fans were located with friends and family for every game. Walking back past the Edmonds and Walsh tailgaters reminded me of the long history many of these fans and alums have together – years of memories around BC games. The sounds of the Mods were reverberating throughout lower campus as seniors were up early and having a great morning.
Baldwin and the cheerleaders were engaging our fans as they arrived at Conte to prepare for their performance. The SuperFan Zone at the south end had the music cranking with plenty of food for the students.
It didn’t matter who we were playing – BC was on the field! The band was playing, the smell of food was swirling, the SuperFans were strong and pageantry was everywhere. You can never sing “For Boston” enough; it never gets old and the shared experience with thousands of Eagles is simultaneously sentimental and energizing. Seeing the team sing the alma mater with their classmates as an exclamation point to my appreciation for BC gameday and the traditions and memories each Saturday brings.
And oh, by the way, how fun to see the 2015 Eagles football team – I can’t wait until Saturday!
