Chowder and Champions
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Boston Sports fandom: 1st annual ‘Chowdie’ awards

By Adam Bradford

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 11: Former New England Patriots player Ty Law, former Boston Bruins player Bobby Orr, former Boston Celtics player Bill Russell, and David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox walk off the field after throwing a ceremonial first pitch during the home opener against the Baltimore Orioles on April 11, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 11: Former New England Patriots player Ty Law, former Boston Bruins player Bobby Orr, former Boston Celtics player Bill Russell, and David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox walk off the field after throwing a ceremonial first pitch during the home opener against the Baltimore Orioles on April 11, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Boston sports, Boston College Eagles
Boston College Eagles coach Jeff Hafley (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Coach of the Year: Jeff Hafley, Boston College Eagles Football

Despite taking over the Boston College program just a few months prior to the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, Jeff Hafley had an incredibly successful first season in Chestnut Hill. Playing an extremely difficult schedule featuring three games against top 15 opponents, Hafley’s Eagles finished the season 6-5.

BC’s five wins in ACC play were the program’s most since 2009. In addition, the Eagles took two elite teams down to the wire. They were a two-point conversion away from going to overtime with a North Carolina team that will be playing in the Orange Bowl, and they lead a College Football Playoff-bound Clemson team by as many as 18 points, before ultimately allowing the Tigers to come back and win by six.

Hafley is also building the program for the future, as he just signed Boston College’s highest-rated recruiting class since 2004. With Hafley in charge, BC Football appears to be in good hands for the forseeable future.

Honorable Mention: Bruce Arena, New England Revolution

Most Improved Player: Damien Harris, New England Patriots

After barely seeing the playing field as a rookie in 2019, Damien Harris burst onto the scene as the Patriots’ leading rusher in 2020. One of the few bright spots in a truly abysmal Patriots offense, Harris rushed 691 yards on 137 carries despite appearing in just ten games due to injuries. Although he only scored two touchdowns—largely due to the Patriots’ inability to move the ball down the field and get into scoring opportunities—Harris showed a lot of promise in 2020, and he gives the Patriots a solid running back to work with heading into 2021.

Honorable Mention: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics.

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