Chances are, Boston University fans have no idea who the most indispensable member of the athletic department is.

Jack Parker would probably be the first guess (and that’s not a bad guess). Gary Strickler would probably be next.

But for me, as a member of the press, there’s only one answer.

Ed Carpenter.

Carpenter is one of the hardest working men in BU sports. He tirelessly writes updates for the website, and although he has a staff that contributes a ton, there’s no doubt that he is the backbone.

I’ve seen his name in Boston Globe pieces, in Herald pieces. If you’ve spent any time at Walter Brown Arena or Nickerson Field, you know who Ed is.

Ed is the guy we go through to get press passes both here and at away games. Ed is the guy who helps set up interviews. Ed is the guy who’s always telling us we’ve written a good story.

Ed was my first introduction to BU sports, and there’s no way I ever would be as comfortable if someone else was doing his job.

There’s not much more of a nerve-racking experience than the first story a freshman sports writer (or any writer or that matter) goes to cover. So when a smiling little guy with a sweater and a crazy tie comes up to you and asks if you’re here to talk to Coach Feldman, and then introduces you to her and takes you seriously, it’s a huge relief. There’s never any sense with Ed that because I’m a student writer, I’m second class.

Since I first met Ed, I have spent hours in the Walter Brown press box with him, I’ve bought Girl Scout cookies from him (and I can’t wait to do so again), I’ve asked him for media guides and I’ve asked him for countless phone numbers. Ed is always eager to help me make my story better any way he can.

Much like Coach Parker, Ed’s been here forever. More than any other person I’ve met here, he bleeds scarlet and white. Ed was nowhere to be seen for the first hockey exhibition game this year, which would surprise anyone who knows him. Instead, he was at a function with alumni from our defunct football team. A team that was disbanded years ago has the sports information director at its function.

Ed knows everyone, from (seemingly) every college hockey writer in New England to every other SID to every coach to every BU player, Ed knows them all. He isn’t the SID in charge of the media requests at the Beanpot for nothing. And guess what, when the Frozen Four comes to the Hub this spring, if you need a press credential, Ed’s gonna be the guy you contact.

Now I know his position is called Director of Athletic Communications, or something like that, but to me, three simple letters – S, I and D – will always be his title. I’m an old dog, and calling Ed’s position something else is far too new of a trick for me.

Ed’s the kind of guy who is absolutely necessary for a functioning college sports program. Every program has and needs an SID to coordinate the media and, when necessary, speak for the program.

BU’s just lucky it has Ed Carpenter. Because he’s the best – plain and simple.

Just Because I Can

I’m looking forward to Saturday’s trip more than any other Hockey East journey this year. Alfond Arena is like a cathedral to hockey, and the Maine fans as a whole put our lot to shame. I know we have a lot of alumni at games, but would it kill ’em to be loud occasionally on something other than a goal. Those Maine people aren’t just students, but they’re just as passionate about it as kids are. Of course, I can’t really take the alums to task when we feature a mostly useless fan base. Outside of Sections 7 and 8, we got nothing, and that’s just plain wrong … Oh by the way, I just love how Silber is trying again to be the puppet master. Anyone who cares about our school should support Goldin and sign the petition at www.bufuture.net … I broke my vow. Once I knew the Yankees weren’t gonna win, I watched the game. Seeing a celebration involving only about 40 guys on the Yankee Stadium lawn felt like justice … I have this funny feeling, like firing Grady when there’s no dynamite manager out there could actually come back and haunt us. Of course, I have this nice feeling, like I won’t have to hear my dad yelling for Grady to wake up in the middle of a game. No more dozing manager act, hopefully … Looks like the greatest player in BU hockey history (which yes, is debatable) finally has a home. Drury is looking like he did here with the Sabres … And how about Mike Sullivan, a 1990 graduate, who is doing a fabulous job with the Bruins so far. Parker sure as hell knows how to teach ’em, huh? … Also in pro hockey news, Frederick Augustus Meyer IV, now of the Philadelphia Phantoms, already has two assists in just four games and, most shockingly, has yet to register a single penalty minute. Something is wrong in Illadelph.

Nick Cardamone, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a weekly sports columnist for The Daily Free Press.