Boston Sports Then and Now

There are many hidden jewels in Boston that you need to unearth.

Die-hard Boston sports fans are familiar with every nook and cranny of Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, and the TD Garden. But the vibrancy of the city’s sports scene goes well beyond just the homes of the pro teams, and die-hard Boston fans should make it a point to check out some of the other great historic venues and museums around town, including these five hidden jewels:

1. Matthews Arena. Any fan who misses the intimate sightlines, overhanging balcony, and energy of the old Boston Garden needs to pay a visit to Matthews Arena, home to Northeastern University’s hockey and basketball teams. Matthews Arena is a great old hockey barn with tremendous history. It first opened its doors as the Boston Arena in 1910—two years before the opening of Fenway Park. It’s the oldest artificial ice arena in the world, and it was the building where the Bruins and Celtics both played their inaugural games. While Northeastern has just unveiled some upgrades to the arena, it still provides a great throwback atmosphere for catching a game.

2. Lavietes Pavilion. The home of Harvard men’s and women’s basketball teams is tied with the University of Oregon’s McArthur Court as the second-oldest building used for basketball among Division I schools. Lavietes Pavilion opened in 1926, and only Fordham’s Rose Hill Gymnasium, built in 1924, is older. Games at Harvard have a bit of a retro feel to them. The cheerleaders wear classic crimson outfits with a big white “H” on the front and use megaphones to lead chants. And in one of the stranger entrances into a basketball game, teams take the floor by running down a staircase from the upstairs locker room.

3. Boston Athletic Association Museum. Running aficionados will enjoy the small exhibit of Boston Marathon memorabilia on display at the headquarters of the Boston Athletic Association. Artifacts include photographs, running jerseys, and trophies, some of which are massive in size and stunning in craftsmanship. There are running shoes of past champions, including a gilded pair worn by two-time winner and 61-time runner Johnny Kelley. To make an appointment to view the exhibit, call 617-236-1652 x2624.

4. The Sports Museum. Many Boston sports fans are unaware that the TD Garden is not only home to the Bruins and Celtics, but to The Sports Museum, which is open year-round. Naturally, the city’s four professional teams feature prominently in the museum, but there are also memorabilia, photographs, and interactive exhibits devoted to soccer, boxing, golf, horse racing, high school and college sports, and the Boston Marathon. Museum artifacts include home plate from defunct Braves Field, an autographed pair of shoes worn by Adam Vinatieri when he kicked the winning field goal for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI, and one of the penalty boxes from the old Boston Garden.

5. Hajjar Family Football Museum. Step into the Hajjar Family Football Museum on the campus of Boston College, and you immediately come face to face with the familiar leatherhead Heisman Trophy that was given to BC when Doug Flutie captured the award 25 years ago. Fans can watch incredible moments in BC history on video screens. Yes, Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary against Miami is one of them, but the grainy black-and-white film from the undefeated 1940 season is more of a treat. Also on display are the bowl game trophies won by the team, from the prestigious (Sugar Bowl) to the silly (Carquest Bowl).

With the holidays approaching, The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston is the perfect gift for your favorite Boston sports fan. You can purchase the book through the Amazon.com link on this page.

You can also test your knowledge and enter to win a copy of the book!