BU students build tradition in the city – The Daily Free Press
With over 37,000 students and no defined campus borders, Boston University does not promise a typical college experience. Commonwealth Avenue runs freely through the city of Boston, making it difficult to distinguish urban living from BU’s campus. While one could assume this interferes with college life, it only enhances BU’s sense of community and tradition. […]
With over 37,000 students and no defined campus borders, Boston University does not promise a typical college experience.
Commonwealth Avenue runs freely through the city of Boston, making it difficult to distinguish urban living from BU’s campus. While one could assume this interferes with college life, it only enhances BU’s sense of community and tradition.
Painting the BU Greek Rock
The BU Greek Rock — commonly known as the BU Rock — is a large painted boulder in Central Campus.
Covered in more than 1,000 layers of spray paint, the rock has been a focal point of BU Greek Life for decades. During Greek Week, BU’s sororities and fraternities competitively spray over one another’s tags, changing the rock almost daily.
Jaise King, a sophomore and campus tour guide, said he always shares this tradition with prospective students.
“It started off as a little pebble, but as more layers of spray paint are added, it’s gotten to its current size,” King said.
Other campus clubs join in as well, making painting the BU Rock a tradition that extends beyond Greek Life, King said.
“One of my clubs is planning on painting the rock next year, and I’m excited to do that,” he said.
BU hockey chants
In addition to Greek Life, the student body is blessed with a vibrant hockey scene. While the BU Terriers are ranked eighth in D1 Men’s Ice Hockey and boast more than 100 alumni in the National Hockey League, many are fans of the lively student section — aptly dubbed the Dog Pound.
At each game, the Dog Pound prints a “Dirty Laundry List” with information on the opposing team — “why they suck, who their sieves are” — and “opponent-specific chants to heckle them about,” according to the Dog Pound FAQ sheet.
Junior Lily Thorpe recalled the surprise of attending BU hockey games and learning the chants on the “Dirty Laundry List” — something she’s come to value as part of her college experience.
The Boston University Men’s Hockey team poses with fans who travelled to see them compete in the Frozen Four in Ohio on March 29. (HOLLY GUSTAVSEN)
“I’m a big hockey girl, and [it’s] something I didn’t really expect coming into BU,” Thorpe said. “Freshman year, I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is so fun,’ and then I learned all the chants.”
She said her personal favorite is when the student section turns their backs to the ice during the opposing team’s introduction, waving their fingers and pointing.
Other traditions include yelling “sieve” at the opposition’s goalie when the Terriers score and throwing hats onto the ice after the Terriers score a hat trick.
“The energy is just so good,” Thorpe said.
A slice at T. Anthony’s
While BU’s campus offers an array of restaurant choices, many students are partial to T. Anthony’s Pizzeria — open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Established in 1976, T. Anthony’s honors its Terrier patrons by covering its walls in BU sports paraphernalia. After a BU hockey game, Thorpe said she’s partial to grabbing a slice at T. Anthony’s.
“That’s definitely my spot,” Thorpe said. “I’m forever a T. Anthony’s girl.”
T. Anthony’s Pizzeria on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston. (JENNY CHEN)
MarMon
The neighborhood of Allston, which is a close walk from West Campus, is home to several BU fraternity houses. While the frats throw parties on any given weekend, the city of Boston’s own traditions are sometimes specially integrated.
The Boston Marathon, held annually on the third Monday of April, is celebrated by college students and Bostonians alike. While some students honor the day by standing alongside the marathon trail to cheer on runners, others attend parties held from early morning to late afternoon.
Students take pictures with Boston University’s mascot Rhett and mascots of other Boston schools during Marathon Monday. (Holly Gustavsen)
King said one of his favorite traditions at BU is “MarMon” due to everyone’s excitement.
“It was just such a fun and vibrant time around the city of Boston,” he said.
Red Sox game at Fenway Park
At a university so enmeshed in Boston sports culture, many Terriers pass their time at Fenway Park catching a ball game. In signing up for Student9s, the official student ticket program of the Boston Red Sox, BU students can receive discounted $9 tickets on game days.
Junior Summer Genovese said going to Fenway to watch the Red Sox play, “even [if] you don’t know anything about baseball,” is always great.
“Go Red Sox” mural inside Fenway Park. (Holly Gustavsen)
However, Genovese said she warns against being caught off guard by overpriced food, recalling an $18 bill for two sausages.
“I mean, jaw on the floor,” Genovese said. “A universal BU experience could be paying for overpriced Fenway food.”
With 186 years and more to come, BU Terriers have had nearly two centuries to invent unique campus experiences and traditions.
As new faces arrive on campus, King said he urges incoming students to talk to everybody at Splash, BU’s fall club fair, and join everything they can.
“A little word of advice, please get as involved as possible … you will thank yourself,” he said.
Ashley Holmes – Assistant Women’s Hockey Coach – Staff Directory
Ashley Holmes is in her first season as an assistant coach for the St. Olaf women’s hockey program in 2025-26 after joining the coaching staff in June 2025. Holmes joined head coach Tracy John’s staff after spending two seasons as the director of operations for the University of Minnesota women’s hockey program. Prior to that, […]
Ashley Holmes is in her first season as an assistant coach for the St. Olaf women’s hockey program in 2025-26 after joining the coaching staff in June 2025.
Holmes joined head coach Tracy John’s staff after spending two seasons as the director of operations for the University of Minnesota women’s hockey program. Prior to that, she served as an assistant coach at fellow Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) member Augsburg University for nine seasons.
At the University of Minnesota, Holmes managed and organized all aspects of team travel, oversaw all administrative functions of the women’s hockey office, coordinated scheduling of facilities for team practices/functions, and was responsible for video operations, among other responsibilities. The Golden Gophers posted a 56-22-3 (.710) record during Holmes’ two seasons and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in both seasons, including a run to the Frozen Four in 2024-25, while finishing both seasons ranked in the top five nationally.
During her nine seasons at Augsburg, Holmes helped the Auggies to a record of 123-73-24 (.614) and eight consecutive MIAC Playoff appearances from 2016-23. She was primarily responsible for the team’s defense and coached one two-time All-American, eight All-MIAC selections, seven Honorable Mention All-MIAC honorees, and one MIAC Rookie of the Year. Holmes recruited 52 traditional first-year and 11 transfer student-athletes over nine recruiting classes at Augsburg.
Holmes played collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota, skating in 138 games while earning All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCFA) Academic Team honors in 2011-12 and WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award honors in 2009-10. She graduated from North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in biology/pre-medicine and a minor in psychology in 2013 before earning a master of arts in leadership from Augsburg in 2018. Holmes got her start in coaching as an assistant coach at Alexandria Area High School in 2013-14, helping the program to a Section 6A title and a fifth-place finish in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Class A State Tournament.
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is upon us! The Boston College men’s hockey program has several players and recruits who are likely to be picked by professional teams this year, including a possible top-5 player in James Hagens and another potential top-5 pick they’ve been recruiting. Here’s everything you need to know as a BC […]
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is upon us! The Boston College men’s hockey program has several players and recruits who are likely to be picked by professional teams this year, including a possible top-5 player in James Hagens and another potential top-5 pick they’ve been recruiting. Here’s everything you need to know as a BC hockey fan to follow this year’s draft.
When:
Round 1 of the draft begins at 7PM ET on Friday June 27th. Rounds 2-7 of the draft begin at 12PM ET on Saturday June 28th.
How to Watch:
NHL Draft coverage of the first round will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+. Rounds 2-7 will be broadcast live on NHL Network and ESPN+.
First Round Watchlist:
Boston College center James Hagens is expected to be the first Eagle taken off the board. Most mock drafts have him going to either the Nashville Predators at #5 or the Philadelphia Flyers at #6, but I’ve seen him even as low as #10 to the Anaheim Ducks. Regardless of what happens, Hagens is going to be a coveted player in this year’s class and may sign with his professional team after he gets drafted. Read our profile here.
Caleb Desnoyers, an all-around center out of the QMJHL, is a top prospect in this year’s draft. Many analysts have him going in the top-10, with some even going as far as to put him as the #3 overall selection by the Chicago Blackhawks. The only problem for BC fans is that he has yet to make any sort of NCAA commitment. Reports from the recruiting trail have indicated that Greg Brown and his staff are heavily pursuing Desnoyers as an addition to the Boston College recruiting class, but we have yet to hear anything about an official commitment. It’s still worth keeping your eyes out for this potential future Eagle.
Another QMJHL winger, Justin Carbonneau, isn’t a Boston College Eagle yet, but he’s been rumored to be interested in BC as his next playing destination. He’s a super strong 6’1” forward who has a powerful shot and a great scoring ability from anywhere in the offensive zone. Though he hasn’t committed anywhere in the NCAA, BC fans may want to keep an eye on him. Most mock drafts have him being selected somewhere in the first round to teams like the Buffalo Sabres at #9, the Detroit Red Wings at #13, the Columbus Blue Jackets at #14, and the Montreal Canadiens at #16.
Incoming freshman center William Moore is another Eagle that could be taken in the first round of this year’s draft. Moore is going to be an important part of BC’s incoming class as they look to him to fill in some of the scoring gap left by Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault, and perhaps James Hagens. Moore isn’t a shoo-in to be a first round selection, but he’s been floated in a bunch of mock drafts somewhere in the #28-32 range or in the second round. Read our profile here.
Who to Watch in Rounds 2 to 7:
Luka Radivojevic is a smaller defenseman at 5’10”, but scouts have noted that he plays tough and fights for positioning against larger players very well. He’s likely an incoming freshman for BC this fall and will add to their already stellar defense. In this year’s draft, we expect him to be taken somewhere in the third or fourth rounds. Read our profile here.
Teddy Mutryn is the son of former Boston College quarterback Scott Mutryn and is likely slated to arrive on the Heights in 2026. He’s a solid two-way center and has the potential to be a BC mainstay for multiple seasons in their middle 6. On draft day, we’ll likely see him get selected somewhere in rounds 3 to 5. Read out profile here.
Ryan Cameron could be the future of the goaltender position at Boston College. He’ll have very large shoes to fill after Jacob Fowler left in the offseason to go pro, and certainly will have competition with Jan Korec for the starting slot this season. We expect him to go late in this year’s draft, potentially in rounds 6 or 7. Read our profile here.
Graham Jones is another recruit that BC is expecting to arrive soon, either this fall or in 2026 depending on how the roster shakes out. Jones is a small 5’8” but makes up for it with speed, skill, and hockey IQ. Regardless, his size is a limiting factor to his pro potential and he will likely be selected in the 7th round, if at all, in this year’s draft. Read our profile here.
Gavin Cornforth is a BC man through and through. He’s rooted for the Eagles ever since he was a little kid and committed to them as soon as he was able to do so. The 5’10” winger has a long way to go before he’s ready to contribute at the professional level, but he could be selected late in the draft in the 7th round. Read our profile here.
Bruins GM second-guesses decision about 2024 draft pick
BOSTON — With the benefit of hindsignt, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Dean Letourneau might have benefitted from a year of junior hockey. As a freshman at BC on a team loaded with NHL picks, Letourneau, the Bruins No. 1 pick last year, struggled with the jump in level. He played a lot of […]
BOSTON — With the benefit of hindsignt, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Dean Letourneau might have benefitted from a year of junior hockey.
As a freshman at BC on a team loaded with NHL picks, Letourneau, the Bruins No. 1 pick last year, struggled with the jump in level. He played a lot of third line and finished with no goals and three assists.
“Significant growing pains, making a very big jump from the level of hockey he was the year before, to the demands of college,” Sweeney said. “And in hindsight, I think we all would have agreed that maybe another year of the USHL, a full year of the USHL would have been the best path.”
Letourneau, is a 6-foot-7 center, who took a non-traditional path to the draft. Unlike most of his Canadian peers, he didn’t play junior hockey. Instead he played at St. Andrews a Canadian high school where he put up monster numbers — 61 goals, 66 assists in 57 games.
He was originally slated to play for Dubuque in the USHL in 2024-25 and then play college hockey at Boston College in 2025-26. But when BC’s Will Smith turned pro a year earlier than many expected, Letourneau had a chance to not only go to college last year, but do so just up the road from the Bruins, who could monitor his progress.
“Physically he was able to play at the at the college level, and that opportunity presented in a bit of a unique fashion,” Sweeney said. “I think everybody was sort of with the understanding that physically, he was ready to do it. Now, whether or not you can carry that over in the highest level, because that’s what the expectations at BC are, and be successful from a point production standpoint, that’s a leap.”
NEU goalie Cameron Whitehead makes a save on Dean Letourneau during the semi-final round of the men’s Beanpot hockey tournament between Northeastern University and Boston College at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. on February 3, 2025.Katie Morrison-O’Day
But the sizable jump from a high school in a country where almost all of the best players choose junior hockey to one of the best college programs in Division I proved to be difficult.
Sweeney hoped the struggle would have value.
“Deep down, is he better off for it? We’ll see this year, because I think that that he’s been tested mentally and physically,” he said. “He’s putting in work now that he has an understanding of how much work it requires to play at that level and be successful. That’s not necessarily a negative. It’s just that when players have had the success and put up the points their entire careers, and all of a sudden they’re like, hold on, this is a lot harder. It’s deflating to a degree.
“But talking through with it, he’ll be fine,” Sweeney continued. “He’ll earn his opportunity back, work his way up the depth chart and start to produce like he has. So, I don’t look at as a setback, I just look at it like a reality slap in a lot of ways.”
Tiffany Anderson Named to Middle Atlantic Conference Academic Honor Roll
ANNVILLE, PA — Tiffany Anderson of Menifee, Calif., was one of more than 250 Lebanon Valley College student-athletes to be named to the Middle Atlantic Conference’s (MAC) Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll.Anderson, a graduate of Paloma Valley High School, is a member of the Lebanon Valley College women’s ice hockey team and is pursuing a Bachelor […]
ANNVILLE, PA — Tiffany Anderson of Menifee, Calif., was one of more than 250 Lebanon Valley College student-athletes to be named to the Middle Atlantic Conference’s (MAC) Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll.Anderson, a graduate of Paloma Valley High School, is a member of the Lebanon Valley College women’s ice hockey team and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in exercise science.The academic honor roll is composed of student-athletes who compete in a varsity-level sport and register a term/semester GPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher. The MAC honored student-athletes across all of the conference’s institutions who competed in winter and spring sports.For more Flying Dutchmen athletics news, visit www.godutchmen.com.About Lebanon Valley CollegeLebanon Valley College,
Bear alum Charlie Larson helped Michigan win NCAA gymnastics title | Local
Charlie Larson of White Bear Lake was a member of Michigan’s NCAA championship team in men’s gymnastics this year. The former Bears diver, 22, is a standout on floor exercise for the Wolverines, due to his extensive background in tumbling. Michigan won the NCAA meet April 19 at home in Ann Arbor. “It felt like destiny […]
Charlie Larson of White Bear Lake was a member of Michigan’s NCAA championship team in men’s gymnastics this year. The former Bears diver, 22, is a standout on floor exercise for the Wolverines, due to his extensive background in tumbling.
Michigan won the NCAA meet April 19 at home in Ann Arbor.
“It felt like destiny to bring it (the title) home, at home. I think everyone knew in their bones that we were gonna win,” said Larson.It was Michigan’s seventh NCAA crown but first since 2014. They ended a five-year reign by Stanford, which finished a close second, with Oklahoma third. There are 15 men’s gymnastics teams in the NCAA.
The 5-foot-5, 140-pound athlete placed first on floor in most of Michigan’s meets and posted the top score in the country in the regular season. He was not at his best in the NCAA, dealing with an ankle sprain that made it painful to stick landings. He usually competed in vault also, winning the event in one meet, but did just floor at the NCAA due to the ankle.
He placed seventh, with two teammates fifth and sixth. But he gritted his teeth and stuck the dismount, worth a bonus tenth of a point.
“If I had not stuck that dismount, we would not have won. It’s crazy how our win came down to every single tenth … that’s what made our win so exciting. It was a fight to the very end. We gave every ounce of ourselves.”
Another highlight, Larson said, was their win over Nebraska that clinched the Wolverines championship of the Big Ten, which has five NCAA teams. He got his 14.85 score, the nation’s best for the season, in that meet.
During high school, Larson competed with the USA Trampoline and Tumbling Team, helping them place fourth in world meets in 2019 and 2021. He was a diver on the Bears swimming team for two years. He made all-conference but couldn’t compete in sectionals because there was a tumbling meet the same weekend.
Larson was headed for Oklahoma in 2022 but during vault warmups at U.S. artistic nationals, he tore his MCL and broke his tibia, requiring multiple surgeries, interrupting his career.
Last year, Larson had an excellent season with the Minnesota Gophers club team. He won floor exercise at the club national meet, helping the Gophers nab the team championship. For another chance to compete in the NCAA, Larson transferred from Minnesota to Michigan last fall.
Interestingly, he is not the only alumni ofLakeairesElementary and White Bear Lake Area High School to win an NCAA gymnastics championship this season. Lily Pederson, an Oklahoma freshman, helped the Sooners capture the women’s title. She was featured in our April 30 issue.
Larson’s floor routine has eight total skills and lasts a minute and a half. The goal, he explained, is to maximize difficulties while maintaining near-perfect execution. “Layout skills are my specialty,” said Larson, who throws several high-difficulty double layout flips.
“Each routine is very different from the next, which is what makes gymnastics so exciting to me. Everyone can show off their unique skills and add their personal flare … I love to express myself in my routine, even if that means just adding a flick of my hands or even a wink.”
Majoring in biology, with a goal of becoming a dietician, Larson has two more years of eligibility. His last college season will be 2027. “However, I plan to stay until 2028,” he said, “to train for the Los Angeles Olympics.”
HANOVER, N.H. – Head Coach of Dartmouth Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Milana Socha, has announced the men’s program’s Class of 2029. “We are excited to be welcoming these six men to the woods. As the highest ranked incoming class of recruits our program has ever seen, they are all poised to […]
HANOVER, N.H. – Head Coach of Dartmouth Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Milana Socha, has announced the men’s program’s Class of 2029.
“We are excited to be welcoming these six men to the woods. As the highest ranked incoming class of recruits our program has ever seen, they are all poised to make an immediate impact on the scoring potential of our team and will be key athletes to watch from dual meets to championship meets. Their collective leadership potential and drive to excel in the pool and on the boards is something our entire team is excited for. Beyond the pool, this is truly a great group of young men of high character that are sure to make an impact on the College community outside of just athletics. There is a lot to be excited about for the four-year journey of this class!” said Socha.
David Gal
Budapest, Hungary | IM/Fly | Great Grace International School
Before Dartmouth: U16 National Short Course Championship winner 200fly
Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because I felt it was not just a school for me, but a second family.”
Jihoon Jung
Fishers, Ind. | Breast/IM/Fly | Fishers Area Swimming Tigers | Hamilton Southeastern
Before Dartmouth: Winter Junior National Finalist…Summer Junior National Qualifier…Indiana Swimming 15-16 Performer of the Year…2x USA Swimming Scholastic All-American…NISCA All-American …5x individual high school state finalist…high school record holder
Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth for the coaches’ and teams’ incredible support and camaraderie with one another. Also, for their world-class commitment to academics and athletics.”
Andrew Chou
Oak Ridge, Tenn. | Fly/Back/IM | Tennessee Aquatics | Oak Ridge High School
Before Dartmouth: Swim team Captain…2 Knoxville Area swim records…Five school records…TN State Champion in 100 Fly…Scholastic All-American…Seal of Biliteracy…AP Scholar with Honor Award… Winter Junior Nationals Finalist
Why Dartmouth: “There were so many great people I met on my visit. The school is in a wonderful natural area, the campus is beautiful, and the education is amazing.”
Adam Man
Belmont, Calif. | Diving | Stanford Diving Club | Carlmont High School
Before Dartmouth: 2025 CIF State Championships 6th Place Medalist…2025 CIF Central Coast Section 3rd Place Medalist…2025 CIF Peninsula Athletic League 1st Place Champion…2024 USA Diving Junior National Championships Qualifier…2024 CIF Central Coast Section 6th Place Medalist…1x NISCA All-American Diver…2023 USA Gymnastics Junior National Championships Finalist (11th All Around)…AP Scholar with distinction…Awarded the SUHSD Seal of Biliteracy (English and French)
Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because I was captivated by the incredible team dynamic and world-class academics. Dartmouth allows me to pursue my athletic and academic careers alongside a fantastic community of athletes, coaches, students, and professors.”
David Kushnirsky
Hewlett, N.Y. | Breast | Long Island Aquatic Club | Hewlett High School
Before Dartmouth: USA Swimming National Championships Qualifier…New York State Champion…NCSA Summer Championships A-finalist…Honor Roll student
Why Dartmouth: “I loved the athletic and academic options at Dartmouth!”
Michael Solomon
Lafayette, Calif. | Diving | Sherman Divers | Athenian High School
Before Dartmouth: 3-time All American…3-time North Coast Section Champion and State Finalist…USA Diving Junior Nationals Qualifier…National Merit Scholarship Winner
Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because the tight-knit, warm environment felt like home to me.”
Drops NEAR TRIPLE-DOUBLE vs. Thunder to give Pacers a 2-1 lead 
| NBA on ESPN
