The Return of Beanpot

Designed by Emily Snisarenko Written by Grace Hawkins Graphics by Tamar Ponte

How Students Experienced BU’s 31st Beanpot

On Valentine’s Day this year, Boston University Terriers experienced the joy of a Beanpot victory, beating the Northeastern Huskies in a thrilling 1-0 victory.

This was a rematch of the 2020 championship game, where the Terriers lost in a heartbreaking 5-4 double-overtime nail-biter to the Huskies.

Beanpot is a treasured tradition in Boston sports, with the four Division I hockey teams—Harvard University, Boston College, Northeastern University, and Boston University—facing off in a tournament over two weekends in February. The winner receives the Beanpot trophy, and bragging rights until the next year.

When attendance rates skyrocketed as Boston schools faced head to head in Northeastern’s Matthews Arena, several proposals for a four-team tournament arose. Ever since its debut in 1952, Beanpot has become a staple of the BU hockey season. Many players cite it as the reason for choosing to play at BU, as it is something unique in college hockey.

Beanpot is not only limited to men’s hockey, but has expanded to include the women’s team as well; this year is the 43rd iteration of the contest.

Beanpot has even translated into tournaments for other sports, including baseball (played at Fenway Park), men’s lacrosse, and women’s rowing.

Even the schools’ respective Pep Bands battle in a competition during the halftime of the women’s hockey tournament, as students from each school cheer them on.

Some more unique tournaments exist as well. For example, a Beanpot of Comedy and a Beanpot based purely on burrito eating, aptly named the “Rice and Beanpot.”

Competition can even be brought to academic circles, with a Business School Competition taking place every year at BU’s very own Questrom School of Business, where students compete in case analysis.

On a larger scale, Questrom’s MBA students compete in similar case competitions that have won them cash prizes of $15,000.

Beanpot was canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, raising the stakes and excitement for those watching the tournament this year.

TD Garden was filled with supporters from both schools, and those from the Greater Boston area, bringing an electrifying atmosphere to the game. Spectators were on edge for most of the game, with fears of overtime lurking in the minds of many. But, BU sophomore Dylan Peterson scored the lone goal with 2:46 left, securing the victory for BU.

Even though the Northeastern fan section was arguably bigger, it did not mean that Terrier fans did not bring the energy as well, holding up posters and chanting light-hearted insults at the other team.

Garden with another BU championship.

Garden with another BU championship.

As the BU Pep Band played, the Dog Pound, BU’s student section, cheered loudly and waved off the exiting Northeastern fans. Terrier players skated over, showing off the trophy that had returned home once again.

There was excitement in the following days, with the team even placing the trophy in the Agganis Arena lobby, and offering students to take a look, and even take pictures with it.

It was not just the hockey team that felt a sense of pride, but the entire BU community.

BU has not won a Beanpot since 2015, but throughout the tournament’s history the team has been a dominant force. The Terriers have won the most out of any of the four schools that participate, winning 31 times, and appearing in 54 of the 69 championship games.

For first-year students, this was the first major sporting event they experienced during their time at BU, and it did not disappoint.

“It was so exciting when we knew we were going to win,” said Ellery Turner (COM ‘25). “It was something I had never experienced before.”

Men’s hockey is possibly the most beloved sport at BU, often bringing the biggest crowds. Given BU’s history, including their 5 national championships, this sense of pride is not misplaced.

“I was super excited to go to the game,” said Turner. “I had been looking forward to this all year.”

As students returned back to the Charles River Campus, crowds filled North Station, as many crammed to get on the T.

“I’ll remember that T ride for the rest of my life,” said Chantel Kardous (CAS ‘25).

Hopefully, the Terriers can repeat their Beanpot championship next year, bringing more pride to their fans.