Nickerson Field

Nickerson Field is an outdoor athletic stadium located on the campus of Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. The facility serves as the home venue for the Boston University Terriers soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse programs. Its history is deeply intertwined with the city's professional baseball past, having been constructed on the site of the former Braves Field, home of the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball.

History

The site was originally developed for the National League's Boston Braves, opening in 1915 as Braves Field. Designed by Osborn Engineering, the ballpark was notable for its vast outfield dimensions and was the site of the 1914 World Series champions' home games. Following the Braves' relocation to Milwaukee in 1953, the property was acquired by Boston University. The university demolished most of the grandstand but repurposed the remaining Jury Box pavilion and constructed a new stadium oriented on the former diamond's outfield, opening in 1955. It was named for William Emery Nickerson, a benefactor of the university and co-founder of the Gillette Company.

Facilities and features

The stadium's most distinctive architectural element is the surviving Jury Box, a covered grandstand structure from the original Braves Field that now serves as the primary seating area. The playing surface was converted from natural grass to a synthetic AstroTurf system in 2001. The complex includes the adjacent Case Center and FitRec recreation center, providing support facilities for athletes and spectators. The field is configured for NCAA Division I competition in multiple sports, with permanent lighting for night events and a capacity of 10,412.

Usage and events

The primary tenants are the Boston University Terriers athletic teams, including the men's and women's soccer squads, the field hockey team, and the women's lacrosse program. It also hosts university commencement ceremonies, intramural sports, and community events. Throughout its history, the venue has staged concerts featuring major acts like The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, and it served as the initial home for the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League in 1983. It was the home field for the Boston University Terriers football team until the program was discontinued in 1997.

Notable moments

As Braves Field, it witnessed Babe Ruth's final Major League Baseball appearances as a member of the Boston Braves in 1935. In the collegiate era, the stadium was the site where future National Hockey League star Jack Parker famously coached the Boston University Terriers men's ice hockey team to numerous Beanpot and NCAA championships, though his primary venue was Walter Brown Arena. The 1988 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship semifinal was held at the facility. A notable non-sporting event was a 1969 concert by Led Zeppelin during their first North American tour.

See also

* Agganis Arena * Braves Field * Fenway Park * History of Boston * List of NCAA Division I athletic directors

Category:Baseball venues in Massachusetts Category:Soccer venues in Massachusetts Category:Boston University