Wicked Smaht

Boston was a whirlwind experience. Despite parting ways before truly getting to know one another, our brief relationship with the city was nevertheless meaningful and full of memories to hold on to.

The first thing we did after arriving at Logan International was head straight to Harvard University, one of the finest educational institutions in the world. We were dressed to the nines, and were shown around Harvard Yard and the most significant buildings on campus by a senior who also happened to be a Varsity Football player. Jordan the Tight End seemed particular impressed by one of our tour member’s knowledge of the statue of three lies, made famous in ‘The Social Network’. The tour afforded the boys a chance to learn about the history of the college, and the idea of following in the footsteps of other old boys before them was enticing to some. For others, the main attraction was the campus bookstore, with The Coop affording boys the chance to tell other people through the medium of fashion that they in fact went to visit Harvard once.

Whilst in Boston, the boys were able to visit Boston Common and toss the pigskin, dine at one of Faneuil Hall’s finest establishments and wander the streets of the Freedom Trail. We shopped and dined in Back Bay, one of the city’s oldest yet trendiest neighbourhoods. The sporting experiences continued with a number of boys taking an insider tour of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and arguably the mecca of America’s favourite pastime.

The likely highlight for many on the tour came on Tuesday night, when we boarded the T and rode to TD Garden. We were there to watch Lebron James and his merry band of Cavaliers take on the second coming of Isaiah and the Celtics. Being home town bandwagoners, most of us donned some new Celtics merchandise and were disappointed to see the Wine & Gold roll home in the second half. It was however, a once in a lifetime spectacle to see one of the greatest athletes and basketball players of our generation play at another level.

When Thursday morning arrived, we left our hotel in Fenway and departed towards New York. Not to be outdone by its Ivy League brother, Yale demanded a stop on the way south and we were lucky enough to be shown around the athletic facilities and campus by coaching staff. By chance, our group bumped in to Old Boy and current Yale Crew athlete Rob Hurn. Our driver dropped us into Manhattan that evening, thanking us for the trip though leaving us with a memorable signoff; “you know what the best part of my day is? For about ten seconds, from when I pull up to the curb and when I get to your door, 'cause I think, maybe I'll get up there and I'll knock on the door and you won't be there. No goodbye. No see you later. No nothing. You just left. I don't know much, but I know that.”