Friday’s scorcher of an afternoon couldn’t stop brothers Leon and Gaspard Pinard from taking to the metal bleachers overlooking Bentley University’s soccer field.
The brothers, who are both French but live in the Boston area, were decked out in French kits. Gaspard had a French flag tied around his neck. And like others in the spirited crowd, they were there to catch a glimpse of the French national team as they went through final tune-ups before beginning World Cup play.
“It just like seems so surreal that out of every place [in] three countries, they just happened to pick the one spot where we were at,” Gaspard said. “We were really lucky with that.”
So, how did this school with less than 5,000 undergrads get to be the base camp for one of the best teams in the world?
Vaughn Williams, Bentley’s director of athletics, said he’s never been a part of something of this magnitude. He said they knew they would be one of the few grass pitches near Gillette Stadium, where seven games will be held in coming weeks.
They were a part of early conversations to be involved before backing out. But then, according to Williams, France reached out later as they were still seeking a base for their World Cup operations.
“And so, it was really getting to our administration late February and saying, ‘Hey, if this happens, what do you think? Can we provide? We still have the game plan from before,’” Williams said. “‘Let’s just dust this off, what will it entail? This could be a great opportunity for us. It is France. A world class organization being at a world class university.’”
Williams said the contracts were squared away in late March. The university announced the deal on March 26. Williams called the deal a “net positive,” and said they won’t lose money and that they didn’t use any university money.
The biggest hurdle was getting the pitch ready after a tough winter. But Williams praised the team who prepared the field.
Another challenge is the attention and crowds a team like France attracts. Except for Friday’s event, Williams said all of the French practices are closed to the public.
He acknowledged that people want to be around a team of this caliber. But unlike the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Boston — which France reportedly completely booked out — Bentley is in a quieter neck of the woods.
“You know, you’ve got to really want to get out here to get out here to Waltham,” Williams said. “There’s not every green line and purple line coming out to Waltham, so to speak, from downtown Boston where a lot of people will be staying and all over the region. You have to drive here. So, we’re getting ready for that. And I think we’re prepared to deal with that if it comes.”
Even with all the preparation that’s gone into getting Bentley ready, Williams said when speaking to GBH News earlier this week that it’s surreal to have France at the school.
“I know we’re looking forward to having them here and just letting them do what they need to do,” Williams said. “So I think there’s more anticipation about that first match (against) Senegal.”
On campus there are plenty of reminders that France is here, with signage in French featuring the famous Gallic rooster. And plenty of reminders that unless you’re supposed to be near the French team, you’re not getting close.
Gov. Maura Healey, who was at Bentley Friday, said that security is a top issue with hosting an international event and a team like France.
“That’s where the state has come in to make sure that we’re doing everything we need to do. State police, Waltham police, everybody coordinated around ensuring a secure experience here at this wonderful venue,” Healey said.
The French team was greeted with whistles and cheers in their native tongue as they took the pitch. Some fans waved the French Tricolor.
For the Pinard brothers and the rest of the French faithful, the only thing left is to see how France will do once they start play.
“We really hope they’re going to bring it back this year,” Gaspard said. “Definitely have the roster to do that, so yeah, super excited.”
