Huskies Renovate 700 Year Old Stadium

Northeastern U Re-defines Phrase "Putting Lipstick on a Pig"

Matthews Arena is a horrible, horrible place.  I understand that the Bruins and Celtics played there.  I understand that it's old.  I understand that it's "homey."  I also understand that it is an atrocious, uncomfortable excuse for an arena.

During last year's BU-NU game at Matthews, a friend of mine commented that the arena was the loudest he had heard a stadium all year long.  It's loud because it's a goddamn shoebox.

All these things being what they are, the Division III team on Huntington Avenue finally realized that they play in an awful cesspool, and as such, decided to do some house cleaning.  And my god, the improvements are adorable.  In fact, they're so excited they went ahead and set up a website so you can stay current on the renovations.

Oh, and there's this.


Let's examine some of the highlights of the Matthews overhaul.

"Among some of the changes visible to the fans are new cushioned seats..."

Wow, really ahead of the curve on this one, aren't you Northeastern?  Unfortunately, putting rubber tops on the seats won't make them any bigger.  Unless you're an infant, you still won't sit comfortably at Matthews.  Chances are you will leave with a blod clot in your leg, cushions or not.

"...a press box in the lower bowl equipped with high-definition LCD televisions for instant replays."

 Holy Christ!  A press box!  With those new fangled moving picture machines too?!  Well shucks, this must be the Ritz Carlton.

"If the LCD monitors aren’t big enough for the press, there’s always the new video scoreboard hanging over center ice."

Now this one really is a shame.  To me, part of the "charm" of attending a game at Matthews was the power of imagination.  After a close play, fans could all close their eyes and really work to fine-tune their short term memory as they did their best to run the previous play back in their head.  Because lord knows you won't be able to see replays.  Luckily, it looks like their new screen is about the size of the tv in my living room, so it still should be damn near impossible to see what's going on.

"In between periods, fans will be able to check out the renovated lobby, stocked with new concession stands and bathrooms to meet the fans’ needs."

Hold on, hold on.  Back up now.  You mean...we're not going to have to walk through the depths of hell to get to the three urinal bathroom about a mile from our seats anymore?  Well that just seems stupid.  And as for the concessions, I don't see why we would need anything other than six-week old popcorn sold from behind a folding table that got rented out from the church around the corner.  It really was delicious.

"For the athletes, the locker rooms have been renovated into suites with changing, shower, bathroom and lounge areas. Adjacent to the locker rooms is the brand new strength and conditioning center, full of new athletic equipment to keep the athletes healthy and in-shape. Matthews’ new roof will help to keep all of these changes intact."

Now this part isn't even funny, it's honestly just sad.  In all seriousness, thank god they updated their facilities for the athletes.  The fact that they are getting excited about separate changing, shower and bathroom areas at a "major" DI athletic program is just unreal.

I strongly dislike Northeastern, and I am not impressed by their feeble attempts to make their home appear to be up-to-date circa 1970. 

In case you want to remember how much better BU is than these clowns, feel free to enjoy this little video.  And when you see someone wearing NU gear, feel free to ask them where their Beanpot is.






USCHO -- NU Huskies Look Forward to Renovated Stadium