February 11, 2026
Providence College's Student-Run Newspaper Since 1935
by Sarah Wolff ’28 and Andrew Vines ’29 on January 29, 2026
As Providence College sports fans, we are spoiled with high-stakes rivalry games throughout the year. Whether it’s Big East basketball or nationally recognized hockey, Friars fans are rarely left without something to rally behind. Still, the question remains, is there enough energy for both sports? And which rivalry brings more excitement: the Boston College-Providence College hockey game or the Georgetown University-Providence College basketball game? Both draw major crowds and have long-standing traditions. Yet, when it comes to the pure atmosphere and investment in the sport itself, hosting BC in Schneider Arena remains unmatched.
There is no denying the significance of when Georgetown basketball, a Big East team with a nationally recognized name, comes to the Amica Mutual Pavilion. However, the excitement with this game in particular stems from Ed Cooley’s history at PC. His success with the program defined a whole wave of PC basketball, and his quick departure left his reputation here in the dust. So, for many fans, the Georgetown game is less about the game happening on the court and more about its storyline. The boos and chants are driven not by deeply rooted rivalry between programs but by school loyalty and memory.
On the other hand, hockey thrives on a different kind of energy. While PC hockey does generate a similar sense of community, the crowd in Schneider is there to watch hockey. The BC-Providence rivalry is more about regional pride than anything else. These are two very elite New England programs with years of shared history and a level of intensity and pressure that basketball rarely sees. The atmosphere at a PC hockey game is uniquely electric. As a sport, hockey is fast, physical, and has an unpredictable pace that keeps viewers fully engaged, because they could miss something game-changing in a second. If you combine that with a competition against a nationally prominent team like BC, attention will reach far beyond campus, and the energy runs purely through the game.– Sarah Wolff ’28 Sports Staff
The Providence College versus Georgetown University men’s basketball rivalry heated up in March of 2023 following the departure of former Providence Head Coach Ed Cooley. After 12 years at the helm of the Friars and following a Sweet 16 run, Cooley decided to leave PC to take the head coaching job at a fellow Big East school: Georgetown.
This departure greatly upset Friars fans, asCooley’s focus during the NCAA Tournament run seemed to shift from his team to his next job. With Cooley leaving for a fellow Big East school, he would face Providence twice a year and make an annual trip back to the community he betrayed.
Cooley made his first return to Providence on Jan. 27, 2024. A betrayed fanbase welcomed him with loud boos. Students waited for hours to get into the game and let Cooley hear it. The environment was one of the best in the sport. Combining one of the top fanbases with the pure hatred they had for Cooley led to an inevitable showdown. In his first return to Providence, Cooley and the Hoyas suffered an 84–76 defeat. Devin Carter ’24 led the way with 29 points.
Cooley returned in 2025 and was greeted by another restless crowd, and once again suffered a loss with a final score of 78–68. This year, on Jan. 24, Cooley and the Hoyas walked into a packed Amica Mutual Pavilion. With a full crowd, Cooley definitely heard the hate. Cooley walked out about 90 minutes before tipoff to boos, which then continued throughout the game. Cooley and the Hoyas emerged victorious after coming back from being down by 21 points, winning 81–78.
Despite the loss, the fans still showed up and brought the noise to a game that featured two of the worst teams in the Big East. Both teams entered the game at 9–10. This matchup shows both the strength of the fan base and of the rivalry. – Andrew Vines ’29Sports Staff
