2012 Beanpot Spotlight
With Marty Feeney, '66
Feb. 17, 2012
This past Monday, the Boston College Men's Hockey Team won the 60th Annual Beanpot Tournament. The victory was the team's 17th Beanpot and their 3rd in a row. BCEAGLES.com caught up with BC grad Marty Feeney, who has attended every Beanpot since his first visit to the tournament in 1963. Marty graduated from Boston College's Carroll School of Management in 1966 and went on to receive his MBA from BC in 1970. He has been a hockey season ticket holder since 1965 and a football season ticket holder since the early 1980's. Marty and his wife have two children who have added a small piece of Beanpot lore to the family. His daughter graduated from BC and his son graduated from BU. Marty currently lives in Needham, MA and had a chance to answer some questions for us regarding his Beanpot experience.
1) When was your first Beanpot?
1963 First Beanpot
2) What is your favorite memory from your years at the tournament?
Favorite memory was probably 1964 and 1965. John Cunniff was the MVP two consecutive years, the first time that had happened. Boston College won both years also. I also have to mention the blizzard of 1978.
I was there and my wife still reminds me. I left home on Monday to go to the game and did not get home until Friday since the roads were closed and the trains were not in operation.
3) What is the biggest difference you notice in the tournament between now and when you started going?
One of the biggest differences between now and when I first started to go is the ability to obtain tickets. There were a limited number of tickets available at the schools. I had to go to the garden to get tickets each year. Now the schools make tickets available to season ticket holders, which is beneficial to everyone.
4) Has the change from the old Garden to the new one affected the experience?
I do not think the change from the old Garden to the new Garden has affected the experience per se. The crowds from all the schools cheer just as loudly as they did before. However the new Garden is a lot cleaner and the concession stands offer a larger variety.
5) Who was your favorite player from all the different Beanpot teams?
Favorite player was John Cunniff. John was a classmate of mine. If I remember he was a walk on to the hockey team and became an All-American. The line on which he skated with Jim Mullen and Phil Dyer was one of the best I have seen at Boston College.
6) What is your prediction for this year's championship game?
My prediction for this year's game is that it will be a physical well-played game with Boston College emerging with a win.
7) If you could talk to the players and coaches before the game, what words of encouragement would you give them?
If I were to speak to the coaches and players before the game I would tell them to enjoy the experience since not everyone is able to have it. Play as best you can and continue to hustle no matter what the score.
