For Cannons: No Place Like Home

8/6/10 8:40 AM

For Boston Cannons There’s No Place Like Home
 

By Meg Andrews

They’re loud, they’re crazy, and they’re passionate about the Boston Cannons. From the middle of May to the beginning of August, an average of 8,275 Boston Cannons fans gather in Harvard Stadium to cheer on the professional lacrosse team in true Boston fanatic fashion. Sporting Rabil jerseys and Poskay tee-shirts these fans not only support their team, they help them break records.


For the first time in team history, the Cannons could have a perfect record at home. They are currently 5-0 going into their last game of the regular season and a win this Saturday, August 7 against the Chesapeake Bayhawks would make them just the fourth team in MLL history to finish the season with an unbeaten  home record.

The players are relying on the Cannons’ faithful to fill the stands and cheer them on to victory. “There’s definitely an advantage playing at home,” Boston Cannons Head Coach Bill Daye proclaimed. “The home crowd helps. I don’t think there’s a crowd in the MLL like we have in Boston,” Matt Poskay added.


Boston fans have been supporting the Cannons since the team’s inception in 2001 when the Cannons played at Cawley Memorial Stadium in Lowell, MA until 2003, and then at Boston University’s Nickerson Field from 2004-2006.  As the home stadium size increased, so did the attendance rate.


 Since the team has called Harvard Stadium home since the 2007 season, attendance rates have progressively gone up and fans have responded positively to the move. Fan groups arrive hours before game time to tailgate, check out Cannons merchandise, and enjoy the team-spirit atmosphere that fills the parking lots and the stadium.


The presence of passionate fans makes the game more enjoyable for veteran and rookie players alike. “It’s great to be in Boston being a local guy and playing for a local crowd,” 2010 draft pick Steve Boyle said. “It’s fun to play for such enthusiastic fans,” Paul Rabil exclaimed.

The Cannons are grateful for their one-of-a-kind fans and credit the team’s success to their growing support. “Cannons fans get the guys going. When you hear the fans (especially in Harvard Stadium) it gets the blood pumping and the adrenaline going. Honestly, they’re the 11th man!” Coach Daye proclaimed. “When you come back to a great crowd you want to do a good job,” Rabil stated.  


The Cannons will be looking forward to the presence of their support system during their last home game of the season as well as during Championship Weekend in Annapolis. “I know my teammates and I love playing in front of a great crowd and love seeing fans in the stands each night,” Kevin Buchanan said. “The fan base is tremendous, there’s no doubt about it.” 

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