I like BC hype videos, but does anyone else?

BC posted another Youtube video from camp. This one is a slickly edited, behind the scenes production that is meant to get fans hyped up. It worked for me. But based on the stats, I am not sure how many people are seeing it. As of late night Wednesday, the video had just over 100 views after half a day. That number will probably double when I post this and tweet it. 

The video is not a problem. It is well done. The distribution of it is a slight problem, but I assume Jarmond and staff will get some help improving the reach of content like this. The real problem is the lack of fans looking for content like this. In the past ten years, I think many BC fans have fallen from casual to former. That is going to be Jarmond's biggest task. Can he get those people back if Addazio doesn't win big? Addazio is associated with a lackluster era of BC Football and Athletic Department ineptitude. Another seven win season won't change that perception.

But for now, I suggest enjoying the video and let the Athletic Department figure out why no one is watching. 

Looking back at BC-WVU 1993

It is a slow BC news day, so I thought I would look back at an old game. This one was sort of painful...

After upsetting No. 1 Notre Dame in 1993, BC came home to face No. 5 West Virginia. Win the game and BC heads to a major bowl. We know how it ended. All these years later this game is frustrating because BC had its chances, but some turnovers and mistakes proved costly. You can watch it all below.

Also of note, this was the last game before Alumni's renovation. 

A Jesuit who got it

This is the late, long-time faculty member and BC Administrator Father William Neenan, S.J. This is part of a longer speech, but I highlighted the reference to BC history and the importance of football below. (Go to 9:48 in the video.)

We hear various things about what sort of school BC wants to be and where the Board of Trustees wants the school to go. While I don't want to put sports first, I hope BC's leaders share Father Neenan's perspective and realize that taking sports seriously has always helped and will continue to help BC.

(Thanks to CE for the heads up.)

BC unveils new marketing slogan

This video is our first glimpse at BC's new Marketing slogan: BC is Boston's College. I have doubts that it will work, but I like the message.

When people say Boston is a "pro sports town," the underlying idea behind the message is people don't care about college sports. In my opinion, it is not that people don't care. It is more about people's loyalty and their spending habits are tied to the professional teams. If you look at BC's TV ratings, people clearly care. Not all those homes are BC alums. I think BC's big challenge is to get those casual TV fans in Boston to care just a bit more. Care enough that they come to games and care enough that they spend a little more money on BC merchandise.

To get them to care more you might as well play up the Boston angle. Let them consider us on the same level as the pro teams and let them try to get on the BC bandwagon.

There will always be challenges. Why are BU grads, or UMass grads or people from any other college going to start going to BC games? And how do you get the casual fan with no real affiliation to BC to come over to Chestnut Hill for a game? Winning is first. Reaching out is second and delivering a good game day experience is critical.

One Youtube video is not changing BC's standings among fans, but this is the right message to send.

Revisit the 1985 Cotton Bowl

At this time of year I am used to watching BC in a secondary bowl. This year we got nothing. So I thought it was a good time to rewatch BC's biggest bowl game of the modern era. Below is the full 1985 Cotton Bowl. It was Flutie's last game and BC's last New Year's Day Bowl. The Cotton lost a little prestige when the Southwest Conference dissolved, but this was a huge deal at the time. Enjoy and hopefully we are back in a real bowl next season. 

Carlos Reyes talks about his BC commitment

Here is BC newest big man John Carlos Reyes talking about his decision to commit to Boston College. It is a casual conversation and he reviews his finalists and BC's ultimate appeal. I know we spend a lot of time talking about what BC has to offer, but as you can see, sometimes it is as simple as playing time in the ACC.

Good luck to John. I look forward to seeing how he develops.

Fireworks Addazio style

Happy 4th everyone.

Throwback Thursday with Luke Kuechly

This current video of Luke Kuechly is making the rounds.


Since it is Thursday, it is a great time to look back on some of Luke's highlights at BC. He's also set to graduate in a few days.

Luke's years might not have been the most fun time to follow BC Football, but we were and are lucky to have him.

The BC Pep Band welcomes youngest member

This video made the rounds Monday and I wanted to share it. 

From BC's Facebook page:

A 6-year-old has joined Boston College Bands, playing along with the Pep Band on his recorder at every Boston College Athletics hockey game. Andres Jay was recently invited to conduct the BC Fight Song. (Video by Max Prio '16, Exposure Productions)‪#‎WeAreBC‬

Great job by the Pep Band for getting this kid involved. Also, thank you to Andres' parents. The key to being a life-long fan, is getting them while they're young!

Addazio has the right attitude

It is still too early to tell if Addazio is the guy to break us through our glass ceiling, but at least he gets it. I don't like other people to speak for me, but this time the coach said it perfectly.

Getting a look at Tyler Murphy

Considering how dependent we are on him this season, we really don't know much about Tyler Murphy. The Spring Game and his stats tell a bit of the story, but did many BC fans watch much Florida Football last year? Fortunately there are a few Youtube clips that provide a little more insight into Murphy's abilities and his experience in game situations. Obviously Florida ran a different offense from BC's and he was surrounded by different players, but the few glimpses are encouraging. Murphy can certainly create and make something out of nothing. He's also shown that given time, he can make pocket passes. Take a look at this series.

This is his first TD.

As you can see, his first instinct is to run. 

This one is not exclusively focused on Murphy, but in it you get to see him throw from the pocket and run.

Here is another set that is not exclusively Murphy but includes more passes.

Does a couple of games in the SEC mean that Murphy will hit the ground running this Fall? Unlikely. But that limited experience is still valuable. He's used to the speed and different defensive looks. Plus Murphy showed that his basics are strong enough to execute our offense. He can throw and he can run. Let's hope he does a lot this season for BC.

Addazio's message

I didn't comment when it debuted two weeks ago, but I wanted to revisit Addazio's Youtube clips. There a good underlying message in them, with this one focusing on accountability. Is it a little cliche? Sure, but the theme of the message is true and Addazio delivers it in a believable manner. It is refreshing to have a coach who can shape and deliver this sort of message.

My only concern about the whole things is the lack of views. BC's official Youtube page posted the clip two weeks ago. In that time only 1,100 have viewed the clip. This is the type of clip that should go to every BC fan and every recruit and be in the tens of thousands of views after two weeks. Addazio's willingness to be the face of the program is valuable. Let's not waste such a great asset.

BC's media push doesn't have an offseason

This is usually a quiet time for BC Football. But as we know Steve Addazio isn't shy when it comes to promoting the program. On Patriots' Day he joined SiriusXM to talk about the upcoming season and the impact of the Marathon.

AUDIO: @BCCoachAddazio talks spring practice/game & "Boston Strong". https://t.co/V6c6fR0Ad6 @JackOnSports @CoachNeuheisel #SXM91
— SiriusXM College (@SiriusXMCollege) April 21, 2014

BC also put out a video on the football fan experience. I'm a sucker for this stuff, but it has me ready for Fall.

Kiwi in Africa and other links

If you haven't watched this clip of Kiwi in Uganda helping cancer and AIDS patients, give it five minutes. I try not to overplay the all "BC guys are great people" narrative, but you have to appreciate Kiwi lending his time and celebrity to this cause. Considering his grandfather was murdered and his family run out, there are a million reasons not to go back to Uganda. Yet he is and trying to do some good. Good for him.

After a few rough years, BC's Defense is our calling card once again.



Volleyball lost to Wake Forest.

Basketball Season Poster is out. I don't know why, but I still find these sorts of things interesting. The team posters (and media guides) are like little time capsules. I wish someone and BC would digitize and post all the old posters.

Addazio pregame and other links

Here is Addazio's pregame speech on Saturday. Do things feel a little different to you?

Addazio was happy with Wolford's performance.

If you missed it last week, BC will play Notre Dame in a Frozen Fenway game.

Future Eagle Darius Wade is ready for a big Senior Season.

NFL stuff: the Eagles cut Momah and Cleary will probably go on IR for the Colts.

Men's Soccer tied Quinnipiac. Women's Soccer beat Hofstra in OT.

ATLeagle Google+ Hangout with Austin Tedesco

New feature alert! As much as there is a routine to the blog, I do like to try new things. This is my first attempt at a Google+ Hangout. My guest is Heights Sports Editor Austin Tedesco. We talk mostly football but do get into basketball at the end. 

Forgive any technical issues as I learn and adjust. There will be new Hangouts throughout the school year. As always your feedback is appreciated. 

Art Donovan and other links

NFL Hall of Famer and Boston College graduate Art Donovan died this weekend. His long professional career and TV appearances are the source of his fame, but he was a decorated player while at BC. What might not be widely known was that Donovan began his collegiate career at Notre Dame. It was only after a stint in the Marines during World War II that he returned to college football and eventually to BC. 

The Riley Cooper incident might actually lead to more playing time for Momah in Philly.

A Virginia Tech fan has started posting full games on You Tube and it is glorious. Below is the 2006 VT-BC game on ESPN. It was one of TOB's best moments. It will also be remembered for the night Herbie ripped into the Hokie players for dancing to "Sweet Caroline." It is only a matter of time before the games are removed, but go to Hokie Tapes and relive some of our better VT games before it is too late. 

Opening up the video vault

Every once in a while I step across a link to BC minutia and I get excited to share it. I know that only someone reading a BC blog like this is looking for a random assortment of partial BC's football broadcasts. If you haven't been and are looking for one of those classic internet time eaters, go to the page and watch 15 or 20 minutes of one of these old games.

The page is heavy on the Flutie era, but there is a freshness to watching these games that I rarely get. I've seen the Miami game a million times and the West Virginia game is often on ESPN Classic, but I've never seen the Alabama or Penn State games prior to this page. Now go enjoy ten hours of random BC watching.

As a parting gift for the Addazio fans, here is a clip of BC vs Temple in 1984:

A glimpse into how BC is selling the program to recruits

We all love BC, but how do you convince a high school prospect that it is the right program for him? Below is a recruiting video the Football program put together to sell our history, sell Boston, sell Addazio and sell the opportunity to get to the NFL. It's a solid package and should be what we emphasize. While short on recent highlights, all Addazio needs to say to kids is that just means more opportunity for you to play and contribute to BC's history of excellence. 

Baldwin goes big time