Friday, March 25, 2016

Boston College nixes plan for 2016 UConn game at Fenway Park

Boston College will not host its Nov. 19 game against the University of Connecticut at Fenway Park despite urging from Fenway Sports Management.
“Given the positive feedback we received on last November’s Shamrock Series, the Red Sox would love to see a return of BC football to Fenway Park in the near future,’’ Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said. “We have extended the invitation for BC to return whenever it works for their schedule.’’
The Eagles lost 19-16 to Notre Dame at Fenway last season, but didn’t exactly have the same type of experience as the Irish. Because it was a Notre Dame home game, the Irish were given the bulk of the ticket allotment, got to dress in the Red Sox locker room and the end zones were adorned in green and gold. Boston College was forced to get ready on campus and bus over.
However, for the UConn game, Boston College would have gotten all the perks and it could have been the start of an annual tradition of Boston College games at Fenway.
The game between UConn and Boston College would have been the first since 2004. However, BC athletic director Brad Bates said he wasn’t interested in moving any more games away from his campus for 2016. The Eagles already agreed to pay Georgia Tech $900,000 to play in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin Sept. 3. That trip leaves BC with just six true home games.
“Boston College often receives requests to play home games at venues ranging from Gillette Stadium to Fenway Park,’’ Bates said. “We have consistently stated that we will consider the possibility only if it is more beneficial for our team, students, and fans, and only during those years in which we still have at least six games in Alumni Stadium. As a result, playing at Fenway Park during the 2016 season was never an option.’’

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