At Howard Johnson's at Fenway Park, Sox Action Just Part of Life
October 12, 2007
As it turns out, cleaning service isn't the only perk of living at Howard Johnson's at Fenway Park.
For the baseball enthusiasts, living right across the street from Boston's historic park would seem enough. Yet, as many of the College's residents have discovered in their first few weeks of living at the new housing option, the experience is much better than just a view of the big green structure and the sound of excitement emanating from within its walls.
With many students' rooms looking out towards Fenway's players' entrance, glimpses of some of their favorite Red Sox players have become common occurrences throughout the baseball season. Whether it's Sox slugger David Ortiz revving the engine of his yellow Lamborghini, captain Jason Varitek heading home after a long game behind the plate, or fan favorite Kevin Youkilis strolling through the neighborhood, Howard Johnson's at Fenway Park students have found themselves getting an up close view of their favorite local team.
For Shannon McGilvreay '08, who along with Meaghan Mingo '10 serves as a Resident Advisor for the hall, the experience so far has been a truly exciting one. After getting to experience Boston's World Series championship as a freshman in 2004, moving even closer to the action this season has done nothing but heightened her affection for the team.
"I came when the curse was broken and I loved that Emmanuel was so close to Fenway," she said. "But now, it's like I really live at Fenway. I'll be sitting in my room doing homework and actually hear the cheering. It's pretty cool."
According to McGilvreay, the neighborhood has a special feeling during game days. A few hours before the start of each game, she starts to feel the buzz around the stadium as the vendors start preparing their stands and fans begin to descend upon the park.
While the game is in progress, cheers echo throughout the hallways and renditions of "Sweet Caroline" can distinctly be heard.
"It's fun to be in the middle of all of it," she said.
Even people who don't consider themselves huge baseball fans can't help but get excited at the thought of being so close to the town's beloved team, says Brian Goodwin '10. "There is just a spirit down here," he said. "It's like the heart of Boston."
For those students looking for a more independent lifestyle, Howard Johnson's at Fenway Park has proven to be a great fit. Located just down the street from the College's campus, students such as Janelle Rugg '09 feel the environment offers an opportunity unlike any other at Emmanuel. With their own hallway separate from the rest of the hotel guests, students get the feeling of community and freedom rolled into one.
"I love it," said Rugg. "It's easier for us to come and go, plus someday we're going to live on our own, so we have to get used to it."
A self-described "massive Red Sox fan," Rugg's favorite part of living at Howard Johnson's at Fenway Park thus far happened after rookie pitcher Clay Buchholz threw a no-hitter on September 1st. Running outside to catch the players as they left the stadium, she felt a special connection to the momentous night.
"One of the reasons I love it here [at Emmanuel] is because of how close it is to Fenway Park," she said. "It's a real perk of the College. To be even closer makes it even better."
As RAs, McGilvreay and Mingo have made special efforts to produce focused programming for transfer students, including floor meetings around the pool, pizza parties in rooms and scavenger hunts that not only involve items from their floor or Emmanuel's campus, but the local neighborhood as well.
"We try to create programming that involves getting them out into the city," said Mingo. "For the transfer students, we want to do things that introduce them to Boston, Emmanuel and the floor all at the same time."
While students like Rugg are enjoying the experience so far, one particular difference she has noticed from living at Howard's compared to her last two years in St. Joseph Hall is its effect on her napping schedule.
"During day games it gets pretty crazy and I can't sleep," she said. "But I can't even get mad because it's the Red Sox."
And again, the whole cleaning service thing isn't a bad deal either.
"That's always a plus," said Christina Haggerty '10. "I can't really complain."