THE GREATEST EAGLE FOOTBALL TEAM 

January 5, 1941 ... In spite of an all-day snowstorm, 10,000 fans were on hand to greet the Boston College Champion Eagle team at South Station.  The longer the crowd waited, the more exuberant it became.  The crowd who spread all over the tracks climbed all over the six car special when it arrived.  Charlie O'Rourke had to escape through the baggage car and when he finally made his way to the main concourse to give a speech, the crowd went wild and carried him on their shoulders.  He finally managed to escape in a taxi.  Some of the other players were able to leave without their baggage as they made their way through the crowd unrecognized.  Other players had left the train in New York, Hartford and Providence.  Fire trucks and private cars were ready to take the remaining players on a parade through downtown Boston.  In the end Mayor Tobin climbed on top of a sound truck an quieted the crowd and told them the players had left and the parade was cancelled in fear of having people and players injured.  He then told the crowd of plans for a big celebration at a later date.

February 9, 1941 ... 2100 alumni of Boston College crammed into the grand ballroom of the Hotel Statler for the annual Varsity Club dinner.  The centerpiece was the presentation of the actual Sugar Bowl.  Captain Henry Toczylowski accepted it on behalf of the team and in his acceptance speech implored the sophomore and juniors to carry on the tradition they were a part of.  The engraved silver bowl dates back to the early 1800s.  Coach Frank Leahy was then honored and given a ball once owned by Knute Rockne with the names of all his great teams and players on it, including Leahy's.