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The Yankee Conference is back (sort of). One stadium from the conference’s past has the history to hold the momentous Sacred Heart-Merrimack game.
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Refreshing news came from the Northeast for those longing for nostalgia in today's ever-changing college football world. The Yankee Conference is back, sort of. While the conference in its full form remains dormant, FCS independents Sacred Heart and Merrimack will play for the conference's championship trophy in the Yankee Conference Championship. (Check out Matt Brown's article here. ($))
This revival electrifies the brave new world of independence that Sacred Heart and Merrimack soon enter. Moving the game to a venerable venue of the old Yankee Conference could add even more excitement and nostalgia to the game.
Nickerson Field has not hosted a college football game since Boston University shut down its football program after the 1996 season. The stadium currently houses sports such as field hockey and soccer for the university. Many people do not know the illustrious history of this now-obscure stadium.
Nickerson Field began as Braves Field, the home of the Boston Braves, in 1915. The park emerged at around the same time as other "jewel box ballparks" from baseball's golden age, such as Shibe Park and Ebbets Field. The Boston Braves called the ballpark home until 1952 when they moved to Milwaukee.
After the Braves' move, Boston University purchased the stadium and demolished most of the ballpark. The university kept a section of the right field stands as the seating for its football setup. In the configuration below, the now-named Nickerson Field hosted the Boston Patriots from 1960 to 1962.
Few stadiums in the country have as rich a history as Nickerson Field. Bringing the Yankee Conference Championship to Nickerson Field brings this venue the publicity it deserves. It also pays homage to the Yankee Conference. Boston University was a Yankee Conference football member from 1973-1996.
The Terriers fielded some of the conference's greatest teams, like the 12-1 1993 team. Some of the conference's greatest players, like Rich Gannon of Delaware and Rene Ingoglia of UMass, played at Nickerson Field. Despite Boston University and Yankee Conference football being a long-gone memory, the spirit of both live on at Nickerson Field.
Hosting the Yankee Conference Championship at Nickerson Field gives the game a "Field of Dreams Game" atmosphere. While not as iconic as the venues Major League Baseball has hosted its Field of Dreams Game, it shows a conscious effort to honor the history of the Yankee Conference, creating a more engaging atmosphere for fans.
Finally, a Yankee Conference Championship game at Nickerson Field allows Sacred Heart and Merrimack to experience a bowl-like experience. Aside from HBCU classics, few FCS schools play in neutral site games. Boston is a manageable distance from both Merrimack (45 minutes driving) and Sacred Heart's (2.5 hours) campuses. Having fans travel to a unique venue allows fans of both schools to have a break from monotony and a trip to a nearby large city.
Bringing back the Yankee Conference in some capacity is a much-needed step in preserving the history of Northeastern football. Holding the game at Nickerson Field every year takes the Yankee Conference revival to new heights in importance and pageantry.
