While many Northeastern students gathered at TD Garden to support their fellow Huskies competing in the men’s Beanpot consolation game Feb. 9, they weren’t the only ones cheering on the team. Students on the New York City and Oakland campuses found ways to engage with the tournament from afar, hosting watch parties on their respective campuses.
The Beanpot is an annual ice hockey tournament between the four major collegiate hockey teams in Boston: Harvard University, Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern University. Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams compete in the tournament, and the event has united students since 1952.
On the two other Northeastern campuses, the university organized Beanpot watch parties and celebrations to allow students to support their school and engage in school spirit. The New York City campus hosted a Beanpot watch party with Dunkin’ donuts provided while the Oakland campus hosted a watch party with snacks for students.
“The Beanpot screening allowed me to show my school spirit, even while I am away from the main campus,” said Arielle Henry, a first-year New York City Scholar and political science major. “I am now even more excited to go to Boston.”
Similar school-spirit gatherings took place in Oakland.
“Especially being in sunny California where we only get snow further north [closer to Lake Tahoe], the Beanpot is a fun way for students to experience the importance of ice hockey to Northeastern,” said Emma Bais, student life office manager on the Oakland campus.
As an alumna, Bais also highlighted her connection to Northeastern as a whole.
“Alums who had previously attended games in Boston joined and were teaching students some classic cheers they used to do during their time in undergrad,” she said.
First-year New York City Scholar and journalism major Sophie Webb said the watch party was “a great way to come together as a community to support our school. It made me excited for the next Beanpot, which I hope to attend.”
As Northeastern continues to expand globally, events like the Beanpot help maintain a connection to the Boston campus. The Beanpot serves as more than a hockey tournament: Itis a way for students to celebrate Husky spirit regardless of their location, making Northeastern’s global network feel like a community.
