There are a lot of things I love about Boston College, such as the campus, the location, the size, the academics and mission, but there is one thing that always makes me apprehensive in choosing BC–the school spirit/general sports hype. Especially after this past season and the media field day with their winless record, it just feels like that part of the college experience will be lacking. Like when I watch other schools basketball or football games on TV, the gameday atmosphere looks intense and the student section looks like a blast, but when I see BC games on TV, the stadium looks empty and the student section looks dead. It feels like BC athletics are almost insignificant despite being in the ACC.
What are some current students’ thoughts on this? Do any of you feel like that piece of the college experience is lacking? Any comments would be great! Thanks!!
@Windhunde Well it goes to say that the majority of fans in any sport are fair weather fans. BC has its own collection like any other school. When they fall out of the spotlight, students revert a bit away from sports because they have so many other things to do with their time than lose 3-0 to Wake Forest in football (which still upsets me to think about).
With that said, our game my freshman year when we beat USC when they were #9 ranked and we were on ESPN was one of my favorite memories of my time here so far. Additionally, the first hockey games and any playoff or rivalry games (i.e. any game of the Beanpot or against BU/Northeastern/Harvard in a regular season setting) is usually huge, especially since there’s usually a lot more than just reputation on the line. I’m personally a football/baseball fan and therefore naturally gravitate toward the football games because college baseball doesn’t have a huge presence. However, I’d say whenever BC has a sport in which they are a contender for some sort of championship, ranking, or playoff, the stands are pretty damn near filled. This year was awful, hence the lackluster impression, but I would recommend looking up our game vs USC, among others, from the 2014 season. It was really amazing and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I made a point of applying to a college with a good business school (because of my major) that was preferably located in the suburbs with access to a city (for recruiting, but also with a true campus) and had a good sports program. BC checked off all three for me without question. Also, in the off seasons and when our best teams aren’t having their best seasons, there’s always intramural sports, which are always huge here, with plenty of options and a crazy participation rate.
BC school spirit is mostly of the “bandwagoner” variety. Most of the students come from NE and NY/NJ which are professional sports regions. College football is not really part of the culture in these areas. There are many BC alums in the Boston area who support the football and basketball teams, especially against “name” opponents. Beanpot hockey is also well attended. Very few people in the area (outside of BC alums) support or even care much about BC sports. In this way, BC spirit is much lower than ACC peers, where football and basketball is always a big deal, even when the teams are mediocre or worse.
If you are looking for a school with similar quality academics and strong school spirit, try Notre Dame, Duke, Michigan, Villanova (hoop only), UNC or UVa.
Dear Windhunde : This year, the women’s hockey team went 40-1, losing only in the national championship. The men’s hockey team has made the Frozen Four on the weekend of April 7th-9th and will face Quinnipiac in their semifinal match.
Now, onto football - yes, this season was a nightmare including the 9-7 loss, the 3-0 loss, and the 76-0 win. In total, the season could have tilted the other way with just a couple of field goals. When my son was a freshman and sophomore (2007-2008), the campus was alive with Matt Ryan fever and great last second wins at home so BC spirit can be explosive in the fall when the team is playing well. Even when in bowl game contention, the student section is alive.
Little known is that the Men’s Basketball team was in the NCAA tournament in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 with five wins. That said, it has been a drought of nearly historic proportions over the last seven years. ACC Basketball recruiting is very tough (consider the other names in the conference) and Boston College does need to put together a couple of local northeast talents that can attract others to rebuild the program.
Thank you all for all your great and informative responses! I see that BC definitely does have successful seasons in certain sports, but it just feels like anymore the revenue sports are so mediocre and Conte Forum and Alumni Stadium are especially empty, particularly of students. Its just living outside of Philly and seeing all the hype of Villanova right now with the packed arenas and all the following and attention they’re getting, Boston College doesn’t have that. Like do you even think the Frozen Four game today was even that big of a deal on campus, or students weren’t even aware?
I don’t want it to seem like I’m complaining, and I’m sorry if I am, it just seems like a part of the college experience I don’t want to miss. Boston College still has so many great draws for it, and I’ll be lucky to attend and experience all those beautiful aspects. I’m just afraid that one day I’ll be sitting in an empty Conte or sparse Alumni Stadium and regret not choosing UVa or Nova.
If going to games/school spirit and game day culture is a top priority for you, then BC may not be your best fit. UVa will have much more campus and community energy for football and basketball. Nova is obviously riding high right now, but the hoop team is almost always good and is a big part of the school’s identity. BC has many great qualities, academic and otherwise, but the revenue sports are rarely a focal point. See the attached Boston Globe article chronicling the current state of affairs. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/03/12/big-revenue-sports-hit-bottom-stirring-scrutiny/iWqaOoo6ZnIIKyksVLYSGJ/story.html
Academic standards can’t really be a crutch in a league with Duke and ND. BC isn’t spending wisely and the facilities deficit is killing recruiting. $18.6M for scholarships is eye opening as well.
I was reacting to the information put forth in the Globe article. I actually like BC very much and have no axe to grind. I’m certain they will rebound on the athletic front. But wishing doesn’t make it so. There is plenty of work ahead.
I don’t remember reading any Globe article implying anything you’re referring to.
Please, if you’re going to make claims like this, (which go against the grain), they need to be backed up with reliable information.
@Middleman68:
That explains it. Sports recruiting or win percentages in two sports does not make a school, nor does have anything to do with your academic standards or scholarship spending comments.
BC has amazing school spirit, independent of football or basketball’s win percentages.
Indeed it does. I didn’t imply otherwise. The story points out the highest amount spent on scholarships in the ACC. That seems significant. All I did was mention what the article says. The OP, in fact, asks if recent struggles have impacted spirit. Others suggest it may have. I don’t know. As for academics, what I was trying to say was ND and Duke, as well as places like Vandy and Stanford outside the ACC, have success despite rigorous admissions standards. BC will have to find a way to do so as well.
Anyway, none of this is helpful to the OP. That’s as much my fault as anyone. All three schools mentioned have tremendous spirit. Congrats on having excellent choices.