A fundraising event for the largest construction project in Boston University history, the John Hancock Student Village, attracted about 100 people Thursday evening at the Student Residences at 10 Buick St.

The event was co-hosted by BU Development and Alumni Relations and the Boston Briefing Series, a new program that holds fundraising projects aimed at bridging the gap between alumni and BU.

Development and Alumni Relations created an informational film and invited guest speakers Will Nystrom, an alumnus who started the Boston Briefing Series, and hockey coach Jack Parker, executive director of athletics, to convince alumni that BU needs a center of student life where students, alumni and faculty can unite.

For Parker, the Student Village’s purpose is personal because his hockey team will play at the new arena under construction.

Currently BU has the second worst ice hockey rink in the league, Parker said, and the new Harry Agganis Arena is essential for persuading nationally ranked players to choose BU over Ivy League schools.

‘I think this is going to have such a huge impact and long term effect on my hockey team and hockey program,’ he said. ‘It is easier to recruit someone with better facilities.’

Quoting from ‘Field of Dreams,’ Parker said, ‘If you build it, they will come.’

Event organizers declined to say how much money the event raised.

The video presented by Development and Alumni Relations highlighted the Student Village’s potential.

Along with an elevated track, ice hockey rink, squash and tennis courts, a wellness center and rock climbing wall, the new arena and athletic center will have the capacity to host big name entertainers.

Because they would have a vested interest in the Student Village, BU invited alumni that have been long-time contributors or sports enthusiasts to attend Thursday night’s event. Several alumni said a center for BU community was missing in their college careers.

Student Village benefactor Velia Tosi, who, with her husband, Carlos has been part of BU since 1940, said President emeritus John Silber was happy with the couple’s gift to the project. In addition to being past presidents of the library, the Tosis gave $1 million to fund Casa Italiana, a specialty housing brownstone.

‘John Silber loved that we were the first couple that gave a gift in Carlos’ name while we were still alive because most couples give a gift once they have passed on,’ Velia Tosi said.

Other attendees, like alumna Meryl Herman, came just to support the new facility.

‘I really believe that a focal point of BU of the Student Village is important in giving the students a sense of camaraderie that large campuses don’t usually have,’ Herman said.

Without enough support from alumni like the Tossis and the Hermans, Parker said the Student Village project could have to cut corners.

He said he hoped his appearance would help prevent problems that schools like Denver University have encountered with athletic facilities.

However, Michael Lynch, an assistant vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, said he believes BU will receive enough money to finish the project properly by 2005.

‘I feel confident that we will achieve all of the goals of the arena,’ Lynch said. ‘There has been too much effort on the part of alumni.’