The Tradition Behind the Tournament

Yesterday marked the end of the 59^th annual Beanpot Tournament. For those young Terriers not from the Boston area and unaware of this historical tradition, the Beanpot Tournament is a hockey tournament between the four major “Boston” hockey schools – Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University and Northeastern University. (Neither BC or Harvard are actually in Boston – which we remind BC fans of quite often.) The tournament takes place the first two Mondays in February at the TD Bank Garden. The winner of the tournament gets bragging rights over the three other schools, a banner which hangs in the Garden until the following year’s tournament and of course, the Beanpot trophy.

Every year, BU students gather in sections 305, 306, 307 and 308 at the Garden to cheer on the Terriers, who have won 29 out of 59 Beanpots - more than any other school. Unfortunately, countless renditions of “Go BU”, “Let’s Go Terriers” and “The Song” in the BU student section weren’t enough to send the boys to the championship game this year. BU lost to BC in the first round and then to Harvard in the consolation game. For the third time in four years the Evil Empire, the BC Eagles, walked away with another Beanpot championship.

Although this year I made a mad dash to the North Station T stop before I could see another wretched maroon and gold banner rise up, the Beanpot has been one of my most memorable experiences at BU. I’ve realized the importance of Beanpot isn’t about who wins (the win doesn’t even count towards the team’s overall record) it’s about the tradition behind the tournament. The Beanpot is another opportunity to unify with the rest of the student body and to show true Terrier spirit. I take pride in attending a university that often draws the largest crowds in college hockey other than the Frozen Four. I’m reminded of just how special this local tradition is every year when my friends who don’t attend Beanpot schools express their envy that I once again, get to witness Boston’s “social event of the winter season”.

If you’re looking for school spirit, tradition, rivalry, and competition at BU, make sure to keep Monday evenings during spring semester open and get ready to lose your voice cheering for the Terriers at the Beanpot Tournament.

A Few Things To Know About Beanpot

1. Guaranteed Beanpot tickets are included in the Upgraded Sports Pass exclusively for BU students. Those BU students who have a regular Sports Pass can still get tickets at an additional charge but they are not guaranteed.
2. BU unofficially honors a “First Come, First Serve” system – so if you want good seats in the student section get to the Garden early! And if you get to the Garden after face-off, don’t kick someone out of your seats!
3. The Northeastern student section is located right next to the BU student section and even when we’re not playing them, Husky fans get rowdy. So keep the cheering loud but clean.
4. After the game get ready to wait a while to get back to campus because a bajillion students will all be trying to get on whatever T they can, regardless of the destination. 
5. Cheer loud!