Ever wonder what echoes linger beneath your feet here at Nickerson Field? This isn’t just any athletic field. Nickerson Field carries a unique history. It’s a place where baseball legends once roamed. It’s a place where football dreams soared and sometimes faltered.
Today, Nickerson Field is home to Boston University’s soccer and lacrosse teams. But its story stretches back much further. It involves baseball, football, and even the invention of the safety razor.
Once, this very ground was Braves Field. It was the home of the Boston Braves. This major league baseball team played here from 1915 to 1953. Imagine the roar of the crowd. Envision the crack of the bat. Babe Ruth himself might have smashed a few dingers here. Home plate sat just about where Claflin Hall is now.
After the Braves moved to Milwaukee, Boston University purchased the field. In 1954, it became Boston University Field. Later, in 1963, it was renamed Nickerson Field. The name honored William Emery Nickerson. He was a partner of King C. Gillette. Nickerson invented the machinery used to make Gillette safety razors. He was also a BU trustee who had donated funds for the facilities.
Parts of the old Braves Field still exist today. The entry gate and right field pavilion remain as part of Nickerson Field. The former ticket office is now used by the Boston University Police Department. It even has a cellblock.
For a while, the Boston Patriots called Nickerson Field home. From 1960 to 1962, they played their American Football League games right here.
The stadium has seen many changes. In 1968, the four light towers were dismantled. That same year, BU installed AstroTurf. It was only the second college in the United States to do so.
Even U.S. President George H. W. Bush and French President François Mitterrand visited Nickerson Field. In 1989, a large platform was built for their commencement speeches.
In 2001, the old AstroTurf was replaced with FieldTurf. This was part of a deal to host Boston Breakers women’s soccer games.
Nickerson Field has hosted many sports over the years. These include soccer, lacrosse, rugby and football.
So, as you watch a game here at Nickerson Field. Remember the echoes of the past. Think about the baseball legends. Think about the football heroes. Think about the inventor of the safety razor. They all played a part in the story of this remarkable place. Nickerson Field is more than just a field. It’s a living piece of Boston history.