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Post by HCFC45 on Feb 21, 2020 20:14:46 GMT -5
The following email from Holy Cross Athletics was sent to all season ticket holders Thursday night. I did receive it. But it soon became obvious to me that not all season ticket holders received it. Four of my friends who are season ticket holders did not. I spoke to Holy Cross today and they are looking into why some season ticket holders got it and others did not. If you are a season ticket holder and did not get the invite, please call Renee in the ticket office and let her know (508)-793-3427. They certainly do not want anyone left out. This is a really nice show of appreciation to loyal season ticket holders and we thank them for doing this. It is planned to be held in Blaney Court.
To our valued season ticket holders,
Thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm and dedication to our men's basketball program. Your consistent presence at the Hart Center all year long is felt by our entire program. You have come out to enthusiastically cheer on your Crusaders night in and night out, and your passion and energy has been contagious. We will need this passion and energy surrounding our program as we look to finish the season on a high note and build toward the future.
As a token of appreciation for your loyalty and support, I invite you to join me at the Luth Athletic Complex for a pregame reception prior to the home finale vs. American on Saturday, Feb. 29 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. All attendees will also be entered into a raffle to win exclusive prizes courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics, including the chance to dine with head coach Brett Nelson. Please RSVP by Wednesday, Feb. 26 using the link below.
Thank you again for your commitment to our men's basketball program and to Holy Cross Athletics. See you next Saturday.
Go Cross Go!
Marcus Blossom
Director of Athletics
EVENT DETAILS
Where: Luth Athletic Complex
When: Saturday, Feb. 29 | 12:30 p.m.
RSVP by noon on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Join us for our exclusive season ticket holder appreciation event! Hear from Director of Athletics Marcus Blossom and head men’s basketball coach Brett Nelson and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar prior to the 2 p.m. tipoff. Six lucky season ticket holders will win exclusive prizes, including four (4) $25 gift cards to the Holy Cross Team Shop, a team-autographed basketball and the chance to dine with head coach Brett Nelson. Be sure to arrive early, as Coach Nelson will address the group at 12:45 p.m.
This is an exclusive event for all 2019-20 men's basketball season ticket holders. Each account holder is welcomed to invite as many guests as they have season tickets. For example, if you have four (4) season tickets, you may bring four (4) people, including yourself, to this event.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Mar 1, 2020 9:39:18 GMT -5
Hope others with better short term memories comment, but I did want to share a few things I remembered from yesterday. As mentioned on the other thread, CBN and ADMB indeed seem to be all in with each other. Not much mentioned in terms of specifics with the current team....he did mention that outside of games he sees continuous improvement with the players...basketball and otherwise. Again, no specifics given, although he did mention that he demands the locker room be clean, and he also expects his players to sit in the first 3 rows in class, with no headphones or hats. Part of the "culture" he wants, I'd say. Acknowledged the passion of the long time fans; mentioned a couple of times he's observed better crowds at the Hart than at some of the other PL venues. He said the loyalty was not lost on he OR the players. Going forward, he said they need to get more athletic, longer, and tougher. Honestly, sounds a lot to me like the Milan Brown model; he himself reminds me a bit of Milan (the energy and enthusiasm). Both he and ADMB spoke of not cutting corners; that it was about building a program, and not just a team. Just reporting what I heard, folks....FWIW.
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 1, 2020 10:09:14 GMT -5
Hope others with better short term memories comment, but I did want to share a few things I remembered from yesterday. As mentioned on the other thread, CBN and ADMB indeed seem to be all in with each other. Not much mentioned in terms of specifics with the current team....he did mention that outside of games he sees continuous improvement with the players...basketball and otherwise. Again, no specifics given, although he did mention that he demands the locker room be clean, and he also expects his players to sit in the first 3 rows in class, with no headphones or hats. Part of the "culture" he wants, I'd say. Acknowledged the passion of the long time fans; mentioned a couple of times he's observed better crowds at the Hart than at some of the other PL venues. He said the loyalty was not lost on he OR the players. Going forward, he said they need to get more athletic, longer, and tougher. Honestly, sounds a lot to me like the Milan Brown model; he himself reminds me a bit of Milan (the energy and enthusiasm). Both he and ADMB spoke of not cutting corners; that it was about building a program, and not just a team. Just reporting what I heard, folks....FWIW. Mystery solved. Lowder sat in the fourth row in one of his classes.😊
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Post by hc80 on Mar 1, 2020 10:29:49 GMT -5
Coach said they would build the program the right way - that the players would go to class, would sit in the first three rows, would not wear hats or EarPods in class. Gee, I kind of thought that would be a given at HC; by feeling the need to say it, my initial thought was - does this guy get what kind of college this is and what the profile of a successful student athlete at HC really is? Maybe it is the after effects of the worst season ever combined with all the defections from the roster - but really? You need say that?
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Mar 1, 2020 10:33:11 GMT -5
For someone whose experience has been at Marquette, Ball State, Drake, Marshall, and Arkansas I’m sure showing up in class and not wearing headphones during that class was not always the case.
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Post by hc80 on Mar 1, 2020 10:35:10 GMT -5
SOV, exactly my point. Dealing with student athletes at Arkansas is a helluva lot different than here.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Mar 1, 2020 10:41:00 GMT -5
Going forward, he said they need to get more athletic, longer, and tougher. Honestly, sounds a lot to me like the Milan Brown model; he himself reminds me a bit of Milan (the energy and enthusiasm). Agreed. Haven't seen Humphrey, but Martindale is the longest and most athletic player we've had since Malcolm. It looks like the four commits are all tough, physical players in the mold of Butler and Pridgen (and Alexander, e.g., before them).
Let's hope Nelson's Xs and Os are a cut above MB's, and that his recruits are as engaged and successful in the college community as Milan's were.
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 1, 2020 10:54:26 GMT -5
Did either of the two speakers reflect on losing student athletes Green, Grandy, Lowder, Hargis, Lovisio since they began their jobs? Perhaps they feel that unlike what seat you take in a class, these defections have nothing to do with them. To me it is part of both their jobs to compete with Central Michigan to recruit Drew Lowder to play for Holy Cross the next three years and complete his degree, in the most professional and caring manner, of course. I assume others and perhaps Blossom and Nelson don't see it that way or perhaps they are recruiting him.
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Post by CHC8485 on Mar 1, 2020 10:56:40 GMT -5
Coach said they would build the program the right way - that the players would go to class, would sit in the first three rows, would not wear hats or EarPods in class. Gee, I kind of thought that would be a given at HC; by feeling the need to say it, my initial thought was - does this guy get what kind of college this is and what the profile of a successful student athlete at HC really is? Maybe it is the after effects of the worst season ever combined with all the defections from the roster - but really? You need say that? Agree that few if any kids are sitting in a Holy Cross class with the earpods in, but is it really expected for students to sit in the first 3 rows and not wear hats in class at HC? I took this to be one of those habit things you use to build culture. Kind of like the Navy Admiral who in his commencement address gave graduates the advice to make your bed every day. Couple of other comments not covered yet with respect to recruiting. Outside of looking for the length, athleticism, and skill needed to execute the way he wants to play, he said he's looking for 3 things in all recruits 1. Competitors - guys who'll be tough, play tough, and work hard to get get better in everything they do. 2. Kids who want to be at HC, want to be part of the program (and I think he said want to be part of everything HC has to offer, but I'm not sure) 3. Good people - I took this to mean good character. For example, think about the positive non-basketball things we've seen and heard about with RJ. My sense was we were hearing a portion of the recruiting pitch he makes to students and their parents.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Mar 1, 2020 11:08:01 GMT -5
^ stock coach speak, as every coach in the country would say the exact same about their programs to their fans.
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Post by dadominate on Mar 1, 2020 11:25:26 GMT -5
Going forward, he said they need to get more athletic, longer, and tougher. Honestly, sounds a lot to me like the Milan Brown model; he himself reminds me a bit of Milan (the energy and enthusiasm). Agreed. Haven't seen Humphrey, but Martindale is the longest and most athletic player we've had since Malcolm. It looks like the four commits are all tough, physical players in the mold of Butler and Pridgen (and Alexander, e.g., before them).
Let's hope Nelson's Xs and Os are a cut above MB's, and that his recruits are as engaged and successful in the college community as Milan's were.
would you characterize martindale as physically tough? i think he's the best recruit we've had in a while, but the little i've seen and the lot that i've read led me to believe he's more of a scorer and lean than a butler or pridgen type of toughness.
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 1, 2020 11:29:32 GMT -5
Did the speakers mention when their shared responsibility for the HC MBB W/L record and player retention begins? Is it 2022 or are they giving themselves an extra year or two?
I'm as supportive as the next fan, but I feel their responsibility for HC MBB began the first day they started working at HC and hope they feel that way, too.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Mar 1, 2020 11:34:24 GMT -5
Martindale could stand to muscle up some in the weight room. but I think he's pretty physical now. His first option offensively is to drive the ball to the hoop, past and through contact, and he readily bodies up on the defensive boards when needs be. He will be our top scoring option in short order, imho, which should take a lot of pressure off Pridgen.
That said, I am no expert and defer to dado and others more knowledgeable about the game to pass their own judgments.
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Post by dadominate on Mar 1, 2020 11:49:19 GMT -5
Coach said they would build the program the right way - that the players would go to class, would sit in the first three rows, would not wear hats or EarPods in class. Gee, I kind of thought that would be a given at HC; by feeling the need to say it, my initial thought was - does this guy get what kind of college this is and what the profile of a successful student athlete at HC really is? Maybe it is the after effects of the worst season ever combined with all the defections from the roster - but really? You need say that? this reminds me of former maryland football coach randy edsall, almost verbatim. while unlikely to have much of an impact either way at a school like hc with high-character kids and strong student athletes, i don't think many hc student-athletes were wearing earpods in class prior to nelson's arrival so i can't imagine it causing any issues or shaking things up much.
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Post by dadominate on Mar 1, 2020 11:53:28 GMT -5
Martindale could stand to muscle up some in the weight room. but I think he's pretty physical now. His first option offensively is to drive the ball to the hoop, past and through contact, and he readily bodies up on the defensive boards when needs be. He will be our top scoring option in short order, imho, which should take a lot of pressure off Pridgen. That said, I am no expert and defer to dado and others more knowledgeable about the game to pass their own judgments. very excited to see martindale at hc. almost anyone can put on muscle, and physicality is often discovered/travels along with said muscle, but not everyone has that aggressive nature and willingness to put a body on somebody. glad to hear martindale has it.
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Post by purplehaze on Mar 1, 2020 12:03:30 GMT -5
Who won the prize of a dinner with coach Nelson ? wasn't that included in yesterdays program ?
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Post by Tom on Mar 1, 2020 12:26:30 GMT -5
Agree that few if any kids are sitting in a Holy Cross class with the earpods in, but is it really expected for students to sit in the first 3 rows and not wear hats in class at HC? There used to be an old trick that if you had a real early class, you could wear a baseball hat to class and everyone would naturally assume your hair was clean and well groomed under the hat, even though you rolled out of bed ten minutes earlier. I guess basketball players no longer have that option
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Post by bringbackcaro on Mar 1, 2020 12:31:03 GMT -5
^ stock coach speak, as every coach in the country would say the exact same about their programs to their fans. Quick to forget our last coach who never mentioned any of the characteristics that Nelson continues to emphasize.
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Post by hc87 on Mar 1, 2020 12:50:37 GMT -5
Nelson may end up being a good coach here....but he comes across like Jed Clampett in Beverly Hills to me so far....fish outta watahhh
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Post by DiMarz on Mar 1, 2020 13:25:34 GMT -5
Good article in the Telegram regarding Martindale and Rabbinovich....I have no clue how to get it posted here....This might work....https://www.telegram.com/news/20200229/hometeam-worcester-academy-basketball-stars-judson-martindale-michael-rabinovich-excited-for-new-journey-at-holy-cross
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Post by CHC8485 on Mar 1, 2020 13:27:50 GMT -5
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Post by CHC8485 on Mar 1, 2020 13:36:47 GMT -5
^ stock coach speak, as every coach in the country would say the exact same about their programs to their fans. I agree, sort of. Everyone wants competitors and kids who will work to get better, it's how he qualified that that was not completely coach speak. I also don't think calling out kids who want to be at and part of all the basketball program and school is, is a typical characteristic a coach would call out in his top 3 for recruits. Ralph might have said it, but I don't recall any of the last 4 saying that ever.
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Post by efg72 on Mar 1, 2020 14:52:49 GMT -5
Martindale could stand to muscle up some in the weight room. but I think he's pretty physical now. His first option offensively is to drive the ball to the hoop, past and through contact, and he readily bodies up on the defensive boards when needs be. He will be our top scoring option in short order, imho, which should take a lot of pressure off Pridgen. That said, I am no expert and defer to dado and others more knowledgeable about the game to pass their own judgments. Having additional options will make Pridgen that much better and more productive, allow for him to score at or near the same clip and probably taking fewer shots.
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Post by HC92 on Mar 1, 2020 18:55:47 GMT -5
Duff had some specific rules for his players. One was no hats inside any building. Seemed to work out okay back then.
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 2, 2020 12:11:02 GMT -5
My mother had the same rule.
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