Brown Finally Plays Harvard
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The first official game of the USA's Intercollegiate Hockey League was between Brown and Harvard in 1889. However, the start of college hockey was not an auspicious one. The first game was scheduled for Saturday January 8 at Roger Williams Park. Manager and Captain Irving O. "Hoppy" Hunt of Brown made arrangements for games with Yale and MIT as well. On the account of the thaw on that Saturday, the ice was in such poor condition Hunt was obliged to postpone the game. Brown set their sights on MIT for Thursday January 13 and practiced on January 10 on Roger Williams Park. Again, the weather was uncooperative and better suited for water polo than for hockey. Harvard's game was rescheduled for Saturday January 15 on Railroad Pond. The ice hockey enthusiasts were disappointed once more as a heavy snow set in and postponement was necessary. It was hoped the game could be played in Boston but conditions there were also unfavorable. Brown had yet to play its first hockey game! Finally, a game against Harvard (twice postponed) was scheduled and played on Wednesday January 19, 1889 on Franklin Field in Dorchester, a flooded baseball field. Brown 6 Harvard 0.
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