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Post by drjack on Feb 22, 2024 15:56:33 GMT -5
One of the very few games I attended in person during my time!
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Feb 22, 2024 15:56:50 GMT -5
UMass at Fitton in 2008 was pretty damn good. - Came into the game ranked top five in the country. - The previous season, they went 10-3, reaching the Quarters. Lost to BC 24-14, who reached as high as #2 in the country (Matt Ryan season). - In 2006, they went to the championship game. At that time, they were one of the best FCS programs around. Good point. Do you know what the attendance was that day? I found it. 12,781. That's a disappointing number. 12,871. The Fordham game in 2022 was the largest number of fans in many, many years. |
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Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 22, 2024 16:02:42 GMT -5
IIRC, Stanford had another game scheduled in the Boston area.. They didn't fly east just to play HC. It was an impromptu affair after Stanford's charter plane was diverted to Worcester airport and stranded for repairs. Only kidding about that, planes traditionally got diverted from Worcester airport due to fog, not to Worcester. Unsure if advanced equipment has solved that issue. Stanford was on a three game eastern road trip. First game was at UVA, the second at Yale and the third was HC. They have a considerable number of players from New England, NY and NJ. Great weekend for the parents to see their daughters play within driving distance. gostanford.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/rosterInteresting fact, Stanford Midfielder, Rylee Bouvier, is from Hollis New Hampshire. Her twin brother, Connor, is a Midfielder on the Holy Cross team. A very good reason to schedule HC on an Eastern road trip. gostanford.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/rylee-bouvier/20508goholycross.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster/connor-bouvier/14736 |
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Post by hc87 on Feb 22, 2024 16:03:20 GMT -5
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Post by longsuffering on Feb 22, 2024 16:21:15 GMT -5
6281 greeted them at Fitton Field. Amazing an FCS football program has had an upswing in attendance in the past ten years after a pandemic, universal streaming arrived, radio coverage was dropped, etc. |
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Feb 22, 2024 16:33:10 GMT -5
Good call. Terrance West probably ran around, over, and through us that afternoon. |
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Post by princetoncrusader on Feb 22, 2024 18:08:09 GMT -5
The peer group we are hoping to be associated with currently is SDSU, NDSU, Montana, etc. We should be trying to schedule those teams regularly. Given their geography those teams are very used to travel. Let's work on home and homes with them. Would love to go see a game at Montana! That game day experience appears to rival many Power 4 teams. Montana fans might want to come east for a game. While on the NYC subway, I once gave directions to a group of Montana State fans who were in town to see their team play Hofstra, which had a football team at that time. As I recall, only about 3,000 turned out for that game at Hofstra stadium. I believe Montana was the opponent not Montana St. I just don't think cross country trips are financially viable at the FCS level. |
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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 22, 2024 18:22:35 GMT -5
Colgate 2003 Finished 14-1 and #2 in the country losing to Delaware in the Natty. Nearly a massive upset at Fitton that day.
A game that was well attended and likely forgotten when I played was the 2001 game against Lafayette. Probably 13-14k that day and I’m guessing still top 5-10 this century. 63-53 Shootout Sader W which as a fan was probably a blast to watch.
I feel like crowds were quietly starting to creep back a bit during the 2000-2002 Allen years cause those teams had gotten better (considering the probably ~40 equivalencies at the time) and were capable of winning against nearly anyone (depending upon what team showed up) on the schedule any given week.
Then of course the wheels came off after Coach A got sick.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 22, 2024 18:50:14 GMT -5
Colgate 2003 Finished 14-1 and #2 in the country losing to Delaware in the Natty. Nearly a massive upset at Fitton that day. A game that was well attended and likely forgotten when I played was the 2001 game against Lafayette. Probably 13-14k that day and I’m guessing still top 5-10 this century. 63-53 Shootout Sader W which as a fan was probably a blast to watch. I feel like crowds were quietly starting to creep back a bit during the 2000-2002 Allen years cause those teams had gotten better (considering the probably ~40 equivalencies at the time) and were capable of winning against nearly anyone (depending upon what team showed up) on the schedule any given week. Then of course the wheels came off after Coach A got sick. Just checked. 13,219 Per Wiki. Following week at #8 Lehigh was really hyped as we were feeling good about ourselves through the first 6 games that season. Ran into an absolute buzz saw in front of 14,232 at Goodman that day. Lehigh finished #5 and 11-1 that season losing to Furman in the quarters. It really is crazy to think how good some of the top PL teams were year in and out during the “non-scholi” era. |
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Post by timholycross on Feb 22, 2024 19:19:23 GMT -5
Colgate 2003 Finished 14-1 and #2 in the country losing to Delaware in the Natty. Nearly a massive upset at Fitton that day. A game that was well attended and likely forgotten when I played was the 2001 game against Lafayette. Probably 13-14k that day and I’m guessing still top 5-10 this century. 63-53 Shootout Sader W which as a fan was probably a blast to watch. I feel like crowds were quietly starting to creep back a bit during the 2000-2002 Allen years cause those teams had gotten better (considering the probably ~40 equivalencies at the time) and were capable of winning against nearly anyone (depending upon what team showed up) on the schedule any given week. Then of course the wheels came off after Coach A got sick. Just checked. 13,219 Per Wiki. Following week at #8 Lehigh was really hyped as we were feeling good about ourselves through the first 6 games that season. Ran into an absolute buzz saw in front of 14,232 at Goodman that day. Lehigh finished #5 and 11-1 that season losing to Furman in the quarters. It really is crazy to think how good some of the top PL teams were year in and out during the “non-scholi” era. 2001 was the season Allen decided, 4th and goal from the 5 or 6; up 8 points midway through the 4th quarter vs. Yale, to run a fake field goal. Failed miserably and Yale got a TD w/3 min to go and a field goal at the buzzer to win by 1. A loss that was in the same ballpark as some of the Gilmore disastahs. |
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Post by longsuffering on Feb 22, 2024 20:14:44 GMT -5
Tulane would be a great choice. Daughter #2 went there but that’s not the reason I like it. Fine academic school with a new on- campus stadium after playing in the massive Superdome. Plus NOLA is a fabulous tourist city that would offer so much beyond the HC-Tulane game itself. I think a lot of alums would travel for that game Great idea. We played Tulane in 1951 and are 0-1 so it would provide a chance to even the series. Just don't bring anyone named Katrina. |
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Post by HC92 on Feb 22, 2024 21:19:13 GMT -5
Tulane is fun. Va Tech always seems like a great place for a game though a little tough to get to and they might get good again at some point. JMU. Others have said W&M. Richmond another one but Williamsburg a better place to visit than Richmond.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 22, 2024 21:26:03 GMT -5
Just checked. 13,219 Per Wiki. Following week at #8 Lehigh was really hyped as we were feeling good about ourselves through the first 6 games that season. Ran into an absolute buzz saw in front of 14,232 at Goodman that day. Lehigh finished #5 and 11-1 that season losing to Furman in the quarters. It really is crazy to think how good some of the top PL teams were year in and out during the “non-scholi” era. 2001 was the season Allen decided, 4th and goal from the 5 or 6; up 8 points midway through the 4th quarter vs. Yale, to run a fake field goal. Failed miserably and Yale got a TD w/3 min to go and a field goal at the buzzer to win by 1. A loss that was in the same ballpark as some of the Gilmore disastahs. Such a brutal loss. We were good for a couple of those games a season where we utterly outplayed the competition but didn’t have the culture or confidence down the stretch to close. Biggest difference I saw during the Chesney era was that they almost always put those games away. Only twice in my life did I think a coach was going to strike a ref and this was one with LB Coach Vince Sinagra. Phantom PI call that extended Yale’s final drive. Other was Gilmore post Fordham in 2004. |
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Feb 23, 2024 9:12:04 GMT -5
Right there with you. Montana has scheduled buy games with other FCS teams in the past. Monmouth and Maine come to mind. Who pays when Montana flies east for the second game in the home and home FCS series? The cost of giving up one of the four home games at Fitton (25% of the year's ticket, concession and merch sales) plus the cost of travel must be a large amount. Conversely, HC doesn't budget to get home revenue from it's FBS game but does count on four games at Fitton after one at Polar and one FBS and five FCS road games. A one-off game in Montana would likely replace a Fitton game. If it was a home and home series it would be great. If Montana's payout creates as much profit in excess of travel cost as an FBS game does, then that game could easily replace the FBS game that year, which may actually be better for FCS rankings but not guaranteed to be compared to an FBS game. That would be a big payout by Montana. Hard to replace HC fan engagement at UConn, BC or Army though. But why not try it once at least. If we played Montana it would almost definitely be a BUY game out there. No different than playing San Jose State or Northern Illinois. |
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Post by 78purple on Feb 23, 2024 10:33:38 GMT -5
This seems like the right time of the year for this thread/discussion. Here is where we stand right now: fbschedules.com/ncaa/holy-cross/Looks like '24 is all set. 2025: FBS No.Illinois, FCS UNH, Yale, URI....I would assume Harvard as well but who knows? It's a 12 game season so we have 2 openings as of now. Another FBS? 2026: FBS Miami(OH) FCS just Yale as of now. Pretty wide open. 11 game season so we need 3 more this season. 2027: No FBS yet. FCS CCSU and Yale. Need 3 more here. 2028: See 2027 2029: FBS San Jose St No FCS scheduled yet. I believe this is another 12 season. So we could get another FBS game here. Just curious what others would like to see. Maybe some here may have some inside info? I really haven't looked too closely at other schools future opponents so I'm not sure what games are feasible etc moving forward.. What year can we get another BC game? What FBS opponents would you like to see in '27 and '28? Where should we focus our OOC opponents, CAA or Ivy? Given the alleged issues we have with the athletic budget, especially the funding needs for the non-revenue sports, I am inclined to suggest we will see two buy games for football and three or four in basketball in most years moving forward. The dollars received for our buy games pay many bills for those teams. |
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hc69
Crusader Century Club
Posts: 219
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Post by hc69 on Feb 23, 2024 11:29:47 GMT -5
Who pays when Montana flies east for the second game in the home and home FCS series? The cost of giving up one of the four home games at Fitton (25% of the year's ticket, concession and merch sales) plus the cost of travel must be a large amount. Conversely, HC doesn't budget to get home revenue from it's FBS game but does count on four games at Fitton after one at Polar and one FBS and five FCS road games. A one-off game in Montana would likely replace a Fitton game. If it was a home and home series it would be great. If Montana's payout creates as much profit in excess of travel cost as an FBS game does, then that game could easily replace the FBS game that year, which may actually be better for FCS rankings but not guaranteed to be compared to an FBS game. That would be a big payout by Montana. Hard to replace HC fan engagement at UConn, BC or Army though. But why not try it once at least. If we played Montana it would almost definitely be a BUY game out there. No different than playing San Jose State or Northern Illinois. Why would any FCS team pay another FCS team to play them? It would make no sense for us to pay Montana to come east. Why would they pay us to go west? |
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Feb 23, 2024 11:36:16 GMT -5
If we played Montana it would almost definitely be a BUY game out there. No different than playing San Jose State or Northern Illinois. Why would any FCS team pay another FCS team to play them? It would make no sense for us to pay Montana to come east. Why would they pay us to go west? The bigger FCS programs do sometimes schedule buy games with other FCS teams. Like I said, no different than us playing a buy game at SJSU or NIU, although probably a smaller payout. Montana and North Dakota State have both done this. Our game at Delaware in 2005 was a buy game as well. They were an FCS team. That was back when 20K crowds at "The Tub" were a regular thing. |
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Post by HC92 on Feb 23, 2024 12:10:45 GMT -5
If we played Montana it would almost definitely be a BUY game out there. No different than playing San Jose State or Northern Illinois. Why would any FCS team pay another FCS team to play them? It would make no sense for us to pay Montana to come east. Why would they pay us to go west? Because they can make more money doing that than playing a home-and-home. And get themselves a home game to balance out the fact that they want to play FBS teams too and those will always be on the road. |
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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 23, 2024 13:26:30 GMT -5
Why would any FCS team pay another FCS team to play them? It would make no sense for us to pay Montana to come east. Why would they pay us to go west? The bigger FCS programs do sometimes schedule buy games with other FCS teams. Like I said, no different than us playing a buy game at SJSU or NIU, although probably a smaller payout. Montana and North Dakota State have both done this. Our game at Delaware in 2005 was a buy game as well. They were an FCS team. That was back when 20K crowds at "The Tub" were a regular thing. 22,025 at that game for #6 Delaware. 35-23 loss but Saders played tough considering it was early in the turn around. All eyes and hype were on UD RB Omar Cuff who was a Walter Payton finalist, but HC RB/ATH Steve Silva kept pace very well that day. |
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Post by 78purple on Feb 23, 2024 14:07:33 GMT -5
I'd love to see them get home/home with W&M or Richmond. Random thoughts after seeing what 2 FBS near-misses did ( or didn't do ) for us on Selection Sunday this year ( granted, if we had beaten Laffy or Harvard it wouldn't have mattered )...It would seem that 1 FBS near miss and win over an OOC FCS perennial contender ( Furman, Viilanova, Richmond ) would serve us better if that scenario ( 8-3, 7-4 ) repeated itself in the future If we all agree we wish to have a national presence moving forward, here is a template, involving moderate travel ( travel expenses are always underestimated ) Eliminate the likes of CCSU, Bryant, Merrimack Eliminate non-P4 FBS matchups.....not sure what Miami ( OH ), SJS, or Buffalo add to the equation One P4 buy game a year, understanding that BC will be scheduled at least once every 4 years......others in that rotation could include UVa, Duke, Northwestern, Wake, Vandy.....throw Tulane, Army and Navy into that mix as well One Ivy a year ( preferably Harvard ) Strong, Eastern FCS OOC schedule of perennial contenders for the remaining 3-4 games to enhance our post season resumes for Selection Sunday.........W & M, Richmond, Villanova, Furman, UNH, URI, perhaps on an every other year basis We'll meet the Montanas and Dakotas in the post-season !! |
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Post by hc1996 on Feb 23, 2024 14:24:36 GMT -5
I'd love to see them get home/home with W&M or Richmond. Random thoughts after seeing what 2 FBS near-misses did ( or didn't do ) for us on Selection Sunday this year ( granted, if we had beaten Laffy or Harvard it wouldn't have mattered )...It would seem that 1 FBS near miss and win over an OOC FCS perennial contender ( Furman, Viilanova, Richmond ) would serve us better if that scenario ( 8-3, 7-4 ) repeated itself in the future If we all agree we wish to a national presence moving forward, here is a template, involving moderate travel ( travel expenses are always underestimated ) Eliminate the likes of CCSU, Bryant, Merrimack Eliminate non-P4 FBS matchups.....not sure what Miami ( OH ), SJS, or Buffalo add to the equation One P4 buy game a year, understanding that BC will be scheduled at least once every 4 years......others in that rotation could include UVa, Duke, Northwestern, Wake, Vandy.....throw Tulane, Army and Navy into that mix as well One Ivy a year ( preferably Harvard ) Strong, Eastern FCS OOC schedule of perennial contenders for the remaining 3-4 games to enhance our post season resumes for Selection Sunday.........W & M, Richmond, Villanova, Furman, UNH, URI, perhaps on an every other year basis We'll meet the Montanas and Dakotas in the post-season !! That is a very solid template right there! |
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Post by longsuffering on Feb 23, 2024 15:20:43 GMT -5
I think Montana at Fitton would draw a great crowd. Possibly one of the largest at Fitton in recent decades. Wouldn't they be, arguably, the best program to play at Fitton in many decades? UMass at Fitton in 2008 was pretty damn good. - Came into the game ranked top five in the country. - The previous season, they went 10-3, reaching the Quarters. Lost to BC 24-14, who reached as high as #2 in the country (Matt Ryan season). - In 2006, they went to the championship game. At that time, they were one of the best FCS programs around. UMass hit a long field goal as time expired to break the tie. If I'm remembering the right game, the UMass band played a few numbers after the game to the delight of fans of both teams who stayed. |
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Post by trimster on Feb 23, 2024 15:54:43 GMT -5
I think Montana at Fitton would draw a great crowd. Possibly one of the largest at Fitton in recent decades. Wouldn't they be, arguably, the best program to play at Fitton in many decades? They probably would be the best team to play at Fitton in decades but I just don’t see them being a big draw. I think you have to be a very serious fan to know how good the Grizzlies are. There is no connection to them, they don’t show up in the big boy rankings, etc. Maybe if HC and the local media, such as it is, promoted the hell out of the game, it would draw 15,000, maybe. |
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Feb 23, 2024 15:56:57 GMT -5
Much better off trying to get a home-and-home with UMass.
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Post by drjack on Feb 23, 2024 16:02:09 GMT -5
Much better off trying to get a home-and-home with UMass. Agreed, but I don't think UMass makes that decision until HC proves it's not the same juggernaut as before. If the team comes out and performs way above expectations and gets back in the playoffs/2nd round, I think we could kiss any chance of even playing AT UMass goodbye for a few years. |
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