For the Shortsighted, the Beanpot is King

As I sat in my luxury box at the FleetCenter last night watching America's Team beat Harvard in the Beanpot consolation game, I couldn't help noticing the number of retched Boston University fans slowly filing into the building.

BU would be playing Northeastern later that evening for the championship after a blown-call by referee Scott Hansen allowed the academically challenged Terriers to upset Boston College a week earlier. While I sat in my private box surrounded by a group representing the highest levels of society, I noted the anxiety on the faces of BU fans as they prepared for their "national championship" contest vs. the sub .500 and subhuman Huskies of Northeastern.

For the uninformed, since 1997, Boston University has dropped out of the top-level of division 1 hockey and is no longer a contender for the national championship. While America's Team continues to thrive and challenge for NCAA hockey's ultimate prize, Boston U fans have resigned themselves to the fact that the Beanpot Tournament is the only thing left to shine a positive light on their worthless and miserable lives.

Since 1952, Boston's Beanpot Tournament has pitted three college hockey teams (BC, BU, and Harvard), and one high school team (Northeastern) to challenge for the hockey bragging rights of Boston. The Terriers lead the pack with 26 Beanpot crowns, while Boston College is second with 13. Though there have been videos and books written about this "storied" tournament, most have been published somewhere on the campus of Boston University.

Is the Beanpot a great tournament? No. Is it a fun tournament that is now more a social gathering than two nights of hockey? Yes. As previously stated, for Boston University, the Beanpot is now their national title and their shot for glory. For Boston College, it is a final tune-up in front of a big crowd for the NCAA tournament. For Harvard, it's an opportunity to mingle with their collar-up friends at BC, and for Northeastern, it's an excuse for their students to take the subway and a chance to pick pockets.

After last night's 3-2 overtime victory, Boston University freshman Chris "oveRAYted" Bourque told the assembled media that the Beanpot is "the reason why he came to BU". Bourque, who would be playing at Canisus or U.Mass-Lowell today if he wasn't the son of a famous Boston hockey icon, summed up perfectly the "party line" from a Boston University player when it comes to the Beanpot.

The Beanpot is everything to the Boston University student/alum/inmate. During the offseason when BU alums are emptying septic tanks or working the fryolater, they are thinking about the Beanpot. When they are looking at their wives' grotesque facial hair and lines on their ragged faces, they are wondering about the lines BU will use in next year's Beanpot. While your superiors at the 'Nation are giving our children sailing lessons and enjoying a life of privilege, BU alums are thinking about the Beanpot. For us, it's a February hockey tournament that really means nothing in the grand scheme of things. For them, it's an obsession.

With such a focus on winning this tournament, is it such a surprise that Boston University is usually its victor? For BU, it's life or death. For your superiors and the rest of the alumni network of Boston College, it's an excuse to drink Johnnie Walker Blue on a Monday night while laughing at those who cherish a silver pot that has the magical ability to make a Boston University fan's life not seem so dark and worthless.

Collar Up.

- DW