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Beginning December 18, 2024, Beacon staff will be away from the newsroom for the Emerson College winter break. Daily news coverage will resume on January 13, 2025.
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Sports Column

Illustration by Kellyn Taylor.

Changes to college football playoffs shake up landscape and brackets

By Daniel O'Toole / November 25, 2024

In 2022, the NCAA announced that changes to the format of the college football playoffs would expand the number of teams from four to 12. Now in 2024,...

Illustration by Helen Armstrong

Tradition, turkey, and touchdowns: Football’s historic connection to Thanksgiving

By Everest Leach / November 20, 2024

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and the winter sports season in full swing, it is the perfect time to explore the profound connection the two...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

Opinion: ‘The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox’ is a first-class representation of the iconic revival of Boston’s beloved baseball team

By Rylie Burns / October 31, 2024
“The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox” premiered on Netflix on Oct. 23. The docuseries recalls how the 2004 Red Sox team broke an 86-year drought, winning the franchise’s first World Series title since 1918.
Illustration by Rachel Choi

Opinion: Male field hockey players aren’t dangerous, the sport is.

By Anna Knepley / October 17, 2024
On Sept. 10, a Massachusetts high school field hockey team forfeited a game against an opponent due to a male player on their opponent’s roster.
Photo courtesy of game attendee Richard Brewer-Hay

Oakland says goodbye to years of baseball as the Athletics head to Las Vegas

By Addison Brewer-Hay / October 3, 2024
On Thursday, Sept. 30, the Oakland Athletics faced a bittersweet end as they completed their last Major League Baseball season in the Oakland Coliseum.
Illustration Rachel Choi

The dynamic Boston Celtics duo: Joe Mazzulla and ‘The Town’

By Rumsha Siddiqui, Sports Editor / January 24, 2024

When you think of team building and leadership, what movies come to mind? Perhaps “Coach Carter,” “Glory Road,” or even “Pitch Perfect.” But...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Jerod Mayo announced as new head coach for the New England Patriots

By Rylie Burns, Staff Writer / January 24, 2024

Following a disappointing season with four wins and 13 losses, the New England Patriots parted ways with long-time Coach Bill Belichick and announced Jared...

The New England Patriots logo.

Patriots have dropped the ball since Tom Brady left

By Anna Knepley / December 14, 2023

After the collapse of the Tom Brady dynasty in New England, the Patriots are struggling to replicate the Super Bowl-winning seasons led by the star quarterback.  This...

A type of neck guard players have adopted following Adam Johnson's death. Illustration by Rachel Choi.

NHL neck guards: the hazards of just skating by

By Anna Knepley / November 19, 2023

On Oct. 28, former NHL player Adam Johnson was killed during an English professional hockey league game when another player’s skate sliced his throat.  Many...

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. Illustration by Molly Boyke.

Crooke’s Cage: All Hail King Makhachev

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer / November 8, 2023

If you’re Islam Makhachev, his best friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, any of his teammates, or even the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, you’re probably...

The Olympic rings. Illustration by Rachel Choi.

2028 Summer Olympics draws new, old fans with slate of both classic and fresh sports

By Anna Knepley / November 1, 2023

The 2028 Summer Olympics are over four years away, but exciting changes are being made to the program now. The 2028 Games will feature five sports that...

UFC 293 winner Sean Strickland.

Crooke’s Cage: The Summer Break UFC Recap

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer / October 20, 2023

When I published the UFC 287 takeaways article back in April, I knew it would be the last pay-per-view that I was going to actively write about and publish...

The Boston Bruins logo. Illustration by Rachel Choi.

Bruins have big skates to fill following Bergeron and Krejci’s retirement

By Anna Knepley / October 11, 2023

As the Bruins kick off their historic 100th season, fans doubt if it can be as monumental as No. 99. Last year, after firing Bruce Cassidy, former head...

The Bruins will face the winner of the Lightning/Maple Leafs game.

Bruins on Boylston: Leafs or Lightning—which could be a tougher second-round competitor?

By Leo Kagan / April 26, 2023

The Boston Bruins lost in overtime to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, with the Panthers clawing their way to the victory to live another day.  And...

Crooke’s Cage: UFC 287 takeaways

Crooke’s Cage: UFC 287 takeaways

By Aidan Crooke / April 23, 2023

In the UFC’s return to Miami for the first time since 2003, we saw narratives dominate the card as Alex Pereira looked to defend his title against Israel...

Bruins on Boylston: Why the B’s could be more Avalanche than Lightning in the postseason

Bruins on Boylston: Why the B’s could be more Avalanche than Lightning in the postseason

By Leo Kagan, Sports Editor / April 22, 2023

The 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning—winners of that year’s President’s Trophy with a NHL record-tying 62-win regular season—were unceremoniously swept...

The UFCE/WWE merger into Endeavor surprised many fans.

Crooke’s Cage: UFC and WWE to merge into Endeavor Group–what does that mean?

By Aidan Crooke / April 19, 2023

There are three inevitabilities in life: death, taxes, and UFC President Dana White being involved in an insane business deal. The third inevitability...

Bruins on Boylston: With five games to go, what are the five causes behind the Bruins’ historically successful season?

Bruins on Boylston: With five games to go, what are the five causes behind the Bruins’ historically successful season?

By Leo Kagan / April 5, 2023

The Boston Bruins moved into third place on the NHL’s single-season wins list on Sunday, tying the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens 60-win season with a 4-3...

UConn captured the NCAA DI Championship against San Diego State

March Madness: Finals recap and future NBA prospects

By Jordan Pagkalinawan / April 5, 2023

At last, the madness is over.  Following a thrilling Final Four where San Diego State beat Florida Atlantic University on a buzzer-beating three, and...

The Boston Celtics are 54-24 this season, second best in the Eastern Conference behind the Milwaukee Bucks.

Painting the Boston Celtics’ playoff picture

By Rumsha Siddiqui / April 4, 2023

Early last month, the Boston Celtics had a rough stretch—they lost three straight games against the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Cleveland Cavaliers,...