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Post by longsuffering on Dec 29, 2018 22:51:20 GMT -5
Must have been in the Boston Garden years. The Worcester Auditorium only sat in the 2000 range, I believe. Not sure if the Garden tilts were home games or neutral court.
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Post by bfoley82 on Dec 29, 2018 23:06:48 GMT -5
Agree. I was borderline shocked at how many URI fans were there (they got the good seats, by the way). A former colleague of mine showed up because he has a daughter on the Ramettes and another daughter also joined him. No way URI plays HC in the Hart Center until and if we get a couple of PL championships under our belt and a higher ranking. I recall RW talking about PC offering 2 for 1 but the one has to be at DCU OR 2 "pay games" at their place. I had a connection of a co-worker who was dating the PC scheduler who confirmed. No Hart games! And that was with Ralph's teams. Should be noted Providence played at Brown in hoops in the last few years...
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Post by rf1 on Dec 29, 2018 23:14:57 GMT -5
Basically a one time occurence in nearly 50 years. Have not played there again. PC did not even play Brown at the DDC this year.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Dec 29, 2018 23:34:37 GMT -5
Agree. I was borderline shocked at how many URI fans were there (they got the good seats, by the way). A former colleague of mine showed up because he has a daughter on the Ramettes and another daughter also joined him. No way URI plays HC in the Hart Center until and if we get a couple of PL championships under our belt and a higher ranking. I recall RW talking about PC offering 2 for 1 but the one has to be at DCU OR 2 "pay games" at their place. I had a connection of a co-worker who was dating the PC scheduler who confirmed. No Hart games! And that was with Ralph's teams. Should be noted Providence played at Brown in hoops in the last few years... Apples and bowling balls. Brown and Prov are in the same city.
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Post by rf1 on Dec 30, 2018 10:33:51 GMT -5
Must have been in the Boston Garden years. The Worcester Auditorium only sat in the 2000 range, I believe. Not sure if the Garden tilts were home games or neutral court.
Given the small Worcester venues the Crusaders have played in over the years, I would have to guess the best season city home attendance ever for Holy Cross was probably likely in the first couple of years (late 1970's) of the Hart Center with Ronnie Perry Jr on the team. This was the era right before the Big East was formed and eastern basketball forever altered. The Hart had its highest capacity back then with its bleacher style seating. Opponents such as BC, PC, and Georgetown came there to play back then. This would mean that the average at best if every ticket was sold would have only been around 4k. While the residents of Worcester may have followed Holy Cross in the Telegram and on the radio and Channel 27, it would seem that they never actually physically came out in big numbers for the hoops team games. You could argue that they may have had better numbers if there had been a bigger facility in the city but we will never really know as that was not the case. The reality of the facts is that city residents never came out to actual local games in support of Holy Cross men's basketball in large numbers. This would mean that Holy Cross, despite many fond memories of the past, was never really Worcester's team in terms of fan game attendance numbers. This then begs the question, why do some Holy Cross supporters reasonably think attendance should be far better?
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Post by thecrossisback on Dec 30, 2018 11:29:51 GMT -5
Do not forget the Purple Reign trailer where we outdrew the Boston Celtics.
In terms of fan support, I would say when the teams won the national championships, that was the peak for fans as expected. Late 40's into 1950's because for basketball that was the only team. Then when the late 1950's to 1960's the Celtics kind of took over the basketball landscape. It still amazes me they struggled for support even thought they won 11 Championships in 12 Finals in 13 Years.
Wish they would finish this film.
Dee Rowe says "Hometown USA. We were at the capital of the world for basketball."
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Post by Ignutz on Dec 30, 2018 11:33:42 GMT -5
Must have been in the Boston Garden years. The Worcester Auditorium only sat in the 2000 range, I believe. Not sure if the Garden tilts were home games or neutral court.
Given the small Worcester venues the Crusaders have played in over the years, I would have to guess the best season city home attendance ever for Holy Cross was probably likely in the first couple of years (late 1970's) of the Hart Center with Ronnie Perry Jr on the team. This was the era right before the Big East was formed and eastern basketball forever altered. The Hart had its highest capacity back then with its bleacher style seating. Opponents such as BC, PC, and Georgetown came there to play back then. This would mean that the average at best if every ticket was sold would have only been around 4k. While the residents of Worcester may have followed Holy Cross in the Telegram and on the radio and Channel 27, it would seem that they never actually physically came out in big numbers for the hoops team games. You could argue that they may have had better numbers if there had been a bigger facility in the city but we will never really know as that was not the case. The reality of the facts is that city residents never came out to actual local games in support of Holy Cross men's basketball in large numbers. This would mean that Holy Cross, despite many fond memories of the past, was never really Worcester's team in terms of fan game attendance numbers. This then begs the question, why do some Holy Cross supporters reasonably think attendance should be far better?
My recollection is that the Hart was sold out from December 1975 through Feb/Mar of ‘78 and likely beyond. When the students were home for Christmas break, the locals would grab the tickets. Even if there were some empty seats along the way, I’d bet those were more than offset by fairly regular SRO situations. My recollection is that Sports Illustrated was in the house in early ‘78 to include the Hart in an article about “pits” around the country. Alas, we weren’t included in the article as we lost to UMass on a buzzer-beater heave from over half-court (Alex English??).
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Post by possum on Dec 30, 2018 12:26:51 GMT -5
RF your continued trolling of Worcester is becoming truly pathetic. It's time to move on the PawSox are gone they are not coming back if you want to watch the Red Sox triple A affiliate you'll have to come to Worcester otherwise you'll have to be satisfied with URI baseball. As far as HC support is concerned during the Potter/Perry years every ticket was sold so we'll never know how many additional tickets could have been sold. The city did build the Centrum/DCU center with the anticipation that HC would play a number of big time opponents at the facility yearly. Unfortunately, HC decided not to join the Big East and later the Eastern Eight and instead announced it was not in the entertainment business. Subsequently, the schedule was downgraded and HC decided to join lower level leagues which led to the apathy that still exists for HC basketball in the city.
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Post by rf1 on Dec 30, 2018 12:35:20 GMT -5
RF your continued trolling of Worcester is becoming truly pathetic. It's time to move on the PawSox are gone they are not coming back if you want to watch the Red Sox triple A affiliate you'll have to come to Worcester otherwise you'll have to be satisfied with URI baseball. As far as HC support is concerned during the Potter/Perry years every ticket was sold so we'll never know how many additional tickets could have been sold. The city did build the Centrum/DCU center with the anticipation that HC would play a number of big time opponents at the facility yearly. Unfortunately, HC decided not to join the Big East and later the Eastern Eight and instead announced it was not in the entertainment business. Subsequently, the schedule was downgraded and HC decided to join lower level leagues which led to the apathy that still exists for HC basketball in the city.
Sorry that you have no interest in hard concrete actual facts.
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Post by trimster on Dec 30, 2018 13:04:44 GMT -5
Given the small Worcester venues the Crusaders have played in over the years, I would have to guess the best season city home attendance ever for Holy Cross was probably likely in the first couple of years (late 1970's) of the Hart Center with Ronnie Perry Jr on the team. This was the era right before the Big East was formed and eastern basketball forever altered. The Hart had its highest capacity back then with its bleacher style seating. Opponents such as BC, PC, and Georgetown came there to play back then. This would mean that the average at best if every ticket was sold would have only been around 4k. While the residents of Worcester may have followed Holy Cross in the Telegram and on the radio and Channel 27, it would seem that they never actually physically came out in big numbers for the hoops team games. You could argue that they may have had better numbers if there had been a bigger facility in the city but we will never really know as that was not the case. The reality of the facts is that city residents never came out to actual local games in support of Holy Cross men's basketball in large numbers. This would mean that Holy Cross, despite many fond memories of the past, was never really Worcester's team in terms of fan game attendance numbers. This then begs the question, why do some Holy Cross supporters reasonably think attendance should be far better?
My recollection is that the Hart was sold out from December 1975 through Feb/Mar of ‘78 and likely beyond. When the students were home for Christmas break, the locals would grab the tickets. Even if there were some empty seats along the way, I’d bet those were more than offset by fairly regular SRO situations. My recollection is that Sports Illustrated was in the house in early ‘78 to include the Hart in an article about “pits” around the country. Alas, we weren’t included in the article as we lost to UMass on a buzzer-beater heave from over half-court (Alex English??). Alex Eldridge. Somehow, a foul wasn't called on the UMass player who tied up Garry Witts in the corner by wrapping his arms around him. There wasn't an alternating possession rule so there was a jump ball at the lobby end of the court. The tap went back towards mid court. Eldridge grabbed it and in one motion whirled and launched a prayer as he was airborne towards the mid court line. The shot caught nothing but net and everyone's jaw dropped. Kind of represented the disappointment of the season. Preseason #9 in SI to being left out of the post season tournaments.
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Post by Tom on Dec 30, 2018 20:16:40 GMT -5
Agree. I was borderline shocked at how many URI fans were there (they got the good seats, by the way). A former colleague of mine showed up because he has a daughter on the Ramettes and another daughter also joined him. No way URI plays HC in the Hart Center until and if we get a couple of PL championships under our belt and a higher ranking. I recall RW talking about PC offering 2 for 1 but the one has to be at DCU OR 2 "pay games" at their place. I had a connection of a co-worker who was dating the PC scheduler who confirmed. No Hart games! And that was with Ralph's teams. Should be noted Providence played at Brown in hoops in the last few years... That was a one time thing commemorating some sort of anniversary
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Post by bikeman on Dec 30, 2018 20:38:31 GMT -5
Late 70's early 80's games were all sold out before the season began for the most part. Worcester LOVED HC bball then. That success helped build the Centrum. As George Blaney said, we could have been the Duke of the northeast.
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Post by unhfan on Dec 31, 2018 9:11:16 GMT -5
Late 70's early 80's games were all sold out before the season began for the most part. Worcester LOVED HC bball then. That success helped build the Centrum. As George Blaney said, we could have been the Duke of the northeast. If I had a dollar for everytime I’ve read we could have been I would be a rich man and living in Naples, FL permanently! My goodness when does it end? It’s the same old same old. Holy Cross could have been in the Big East, BC and ND are awful, we won titles in the 40s, the city’s use to love us, it’s the PL fault. When does the madness end. I’m a historian but come on the past is the past. Focus on the future! Let the jealousy against ND, Villanova, BC, the Big East, Power Conferences go! Enjoy that you have quality young men and women representing your fine institution that are true sholar athletes! Happy New Year! 🎊🎆
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Post by rgs318 on Dec 31, 2018 10:12:32 GMT -5
Jealousy? "Madness"? Those are your terms. It is the depth of the rivalry that makes wins over those schools that much sweeter. As a fellow historian, I agree the past is indeed the past (and the foundation of the present). But those who do not remember it are doomed to repeat it, aren't they?
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Post by unhfan on Dec 31, 2018 10:30:07 GMT -5
Jealousy? "Madness"? Those are your terms. It is the depth of the rivalry that makes wins over those schools that much sweeter. As a fellow historian, I agree the past is indeed the past (and the foundation of the present). But those who do not remember it are doomed to repeat it, aren't they? In a rivalry doesn’t HC need to have a shot at winning? ACC vs PL not a rival. Maybe back in the 50’s but now a days it’s not a rival. This year’s football game should have told you that.
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Post by rgs318 on Dec 31, 2018 10:41:46 GMT -5
I never said HC had the entire ACC as rivals..only one school, BC. The image of HC (or PL) versus the ACC is your fantasy, I am afraid. This year's game told me that BC is clearly - for now - at a higher level. It was still a great game because it was against a traditional rival and HC alums and students packed the stands. I don't see that as "madness," "obsession,' or any of the other negative terms you are using. Why do you seem so fixated on playing down the HC/BC rivalry? Are you "jealous" because so many at HC don't see UNH as a rival?
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Post by unhfan on Dec 31, 2018 10:47:36 GMT -5
I never said HC had the entire ACC as rivals..only one school, BC. The image of HC (or PL) versus the ACC is your fantasy, I am afraid. This year's game told me that BC is clearly - for now - at a higher level. It was still a great game because it was against a traditional rival and HC alums and students packed the stands. I don't see that as "madness," "obsession,' or any of the other negative terms you are using. Why do you seem so fixated on playing down the HC/BC rivalry? Are you "jealous" because so many at HC don't see UNH as a rival? I don’t see HC and UNH as rivals. Geographically it makes sense for our two schools to play but calling us rivals is silly. Now if Unh would have accepted the PL’s invite then we would be rivals. But neither of us even if both in the PL are rivals with a ACC school in 2019.
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Post by princetoncrusader on Dec 31, 2018 15:34:24 GMT -5
Was UNH invited to be a member for all sports or just football? When was this invite extended?
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Post by bikeman on Dec 31, 2018 16:18:40 GMT -5
Don't complain about lack of non alumni fan interest. HC betrayed Worcester. They told us they were not here to entertain us. Basically told us to get lost. This year's team is playing pretty well and has some exciting players. To Worcester fans in general though, no interest because, and only because of PL membership.
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Post by unhfan on Dec 31, 2018 18:52:42 GMT -5
Was UNH invited to be a member for all sports or just football? When was this invite extended? It was extended for all sports back when the Northeastern dropped football and URI was going to goto the NEC. Unh used the offer to get the CAA to get Stony Brook and Albany into the CAA which led to UNH rejecting the offer.
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Post by thecrossisback on Dec 31, 2018 19:43:28 GMT -5
Don't complain about lack of non alumni fan interest. HC betrayed Worcester. They told us they were not here to entertain us. Basically told us to get lost. This year's team is playing pretty well and has some exciting players. To Worcester fans in general though, no interest because, and only because of PL membership. Ok maybe so if thats what you think. But I am not alumni and am a fan. They can get the Worcester community behind them with winning teams. The PL hurts a little, but if the team is making the NCAA tournament, consistently. They will become Worcester's team.
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Dec 31, 2018 21:05:01 GMT -5
Have to agree with thecrossisback (as a big HC fan and non alumnus). A winner has a thousand fathers...... I know many many HC grads. In my tennis league, three guys are HC grads and two others are sons of former HC qbs. I would bet not one of them even knows that HC has a game on Thursday, never mind the opponent. This team will hopefully begin the process of bringing disinterested alumni and the Worcester community back into the fold.
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Post by longsuffering on Dec 31, 2018 23:59:35 GMT -5
Good point about a winner having a thousand fathers. We've been orphans for a while, but this team is exciting and football seems to be turning the corner as well as WBB.
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Post by sader81 on Jan 1, 2019 8:50:05 GMT -5
Winning certainly helps!! It’s still very hard to get people excited over playing a game with Lafayette. BuckU has been very good for a decade, and folks are not coming in droves to see them play. And I have only missed one game this year.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Jan 1, 2019 9:10:45 GMT -5
I still don't think we are considering the most feasible target audience. I have a hard time believing the average family of 4 with LIMITED disposable income would not enjoy going to 2-3 HC games per season to watch this current team. I do have doubts about HC's motivation to reach out to these people. I also believe most of those folks who would have interest in a higher level HC basketball program align demographically with those of us in the former Section F....that is, 2 aging groups of people.
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