Fenway Park, Friday night, Yankees-Red Sox. I need not say any more. It lived up to any and all billing, on all fronts. Check ESPN.com for the game details, and let me just tell you that if you EVER get the chance, don't fail to pull out every stop possible to be there.
Now, let me tell you about a forgotten gem on the campus of our football opponent today, Northeastern. It's Matthews Arena, the world's oldest multi-purpose arena. It's smack dab in the middle of downtown Boston, on the north edge of the Northeastern campus.
I visited Friday afternoon to pick up our press passes and my wonderful host, 42-year veteran SID Jack Grinnold of Northeastern, gave me a 10-minute primer on the incredible history of the building where his offices are.
It's still the home of the Huskies' nationally-prominent hockey team, which begins its season in a couple of weeks and was practicing as we dropped by.
It was the first home of the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins, and has been a center for major events in Boston since 1910. It's just a modest 7,000 seats ringing the rink, but it's a great setting for speeches, concerts, appearances and events.
For example -- every president from Roosevelt to Nixon appeared there, and Bill Clinton dropped by three days before his term ended. Celebrities such as Charles Lindberg and Amelia Eirhart were greeted by the adoring public there.
Muhammed Ali's trademark phrase, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" was launched here when Ali trained in the arena prior to fighting Sonny Liston.
There's so much more, but it's 2 a.m. and then some here in Boston. My adrenaline level is finally beginning to wane and it's time to zzzzzzzzzzz.
The Demons will have breakfast at 8:30 and then depart an hour later for Parsons Field. There's a good chance of morning showers, with hope that the weather will clear before the 12:30 EST kickoff.
We'll let you know what's happening once we arrive at the field, through the end of the game!
Doug Ireland, SID
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