By Arielle Aronson/DFP Staff
The Beanpot always brings excitement to the city of Boston, and this year it will bring a change to teams’ helmets as well. Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University and Northeastern University will all wear a white ribbon logo on their helmets during their Beanpot games this year to raise awareness for violence against women.
The logo is part of a campaign attempting to prevent violence against women. On Monday, the captains and coaches of the Beanpot teams went to the Massachusetts State House to take part in White Ribbon Day in connection with the campaign. The event asks boys and men to take the White Ribbon Pledge in which they commit themselves to preventing domestic violence and sexual assault.
“I think it’s a good cause and it’s an event in Boston that’s kind of on a national stage,” said BU senior captain Chris Connolly. “I don’t think there’s a better time when you can get it advertised. There are so many colleges in Boston that these kind of things could tend to happen. I think that’s the age demographic where you see it the most.”
The Terriers have very personal experience in dealing with violence against women.
Just over a month ago, senior forward Corey Trivino was kicked off the team following an incident in which he allegedly assaulted a female student in a BU dormitory. Trivino is currently facing charges stemming from the incident of assault and battery, breaking and entering and assault to rape. Trivino pleaded not guilty to all charges.
While Trivino’s case has yet to be resolved, Connolly said Trivino’s current legal problems make it even more important for the Terriers to take a stand against violence against women.
“It’s just from the events that happened, it’s still not something that we condone,” Connolly said. “We don’t think that that situation was right. It’s still a very important situation and we’re happy to help out any way we can.”
Although the timing is interesting for BU, the Beanpot’s connection with the campaign originated long before anything happened with Trivino. According to BU coach Jack Parker, the idea first came up at an athletic directors’ meeting last June as a way to raise awareness for an important issue.
“Pretty soon, we’re going to have ribbons and puzzles and everything all over our uniforms,” Parker said in reference to adding a ribbon to a uniform that already hosts a puzzle piece raise awareness for autism. “Obviously, all four schools were happy to participate. But [the white ribbon] is a one-time thing for this tournament.”
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