Boston College will cancel its 2015 Spring Game in favor of an "open scrimmage" on March 28th, per a release from the athletics department. The open practice/offense vs. defense scrimmage will be held in Alumni Stadium at noon and will "allow the team to maximize the team's preparation time for the 2015 fall season."
In a statement on the Eagles athletics website, Steve Addazio said the following:
Our job is to prepare our team for the 2015 season. These adjustments are meant to best serve our team. We understand that our fans have received this information on short notice, but we know that ultimately they are dedicated to support us as we strive to win as many games as possible this coming season. As always, we appreciate the unwavering support of our fans.
This is an interesting move by the Eagles, who have now canceled the spring game twice int he past three years. In 2013, the game was called off due to the events surrounding the Boston Marathon Bombing but returned last season. This year, the game's cancellation comes without any provocation or warning.
It's possible it could be a cost-cutting move. With the game being played inside Alumni Stadium with open admission, the school is tasked with operating expenses as it would be for a home game, including press box staff, scoreboard operators, etc. Although minimal concession stands are open, there are costs associated with opening them for the game. The game itself delivers no return on investment with open admission, and attendance is hard to justify opening the stadium for the entire event. The game itself utilizes different scoring methodology and is often confusing for fans to follow.
This format is likely to allow the team to operate under the same scoring system as the spring game while stripping way the extraneous draws. It will also allow coaches more time to work with their players for development purposes. The spring game seldom allows for stoppages and instructions.
All of this is pure speculation, however, and hopefully more details will be released as the spring wears on. Weigh in with your thoughts below in the comments section and let us know what's on your mind with the cancellation of the game!