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Post by Sons of Vaval on Apr 15, 2021 13:45:47 GMT -5
Their administration enacted this rule because they believe it's in the best health interest of their community I'm surprised Bucknell has permitted their student-athletes to travel to away games, which would be much more dangerous than having a handful of additional fans sprawled out in an open-air stadium.
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Post by gks on Apr 15, 2021 13:49:10 GMT -5
Their administration enacted this rule because they believe it's in the best health interest of their community I'm surprised Bucknell has permitted their student-athletes to travel to away games, which would be much more dangerous than having a handful of additional fans sprawled out in an open-air stadium. Just add it to the pile of hypocrisy and things that don't make any sense.
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Post by HC92 on Apr 15, 2021 14:22:52 GMT -5
An email that was just sent out by ADMB: Dear Crusader Football Parents, First off, I want to thank you for your patience and understanding during a difficult year. We've been through pauses, stops and starts. However, throughout all of this, the football team has been resilient. I am proud of how they've handled the year. It's no surprise to me that we are playing in the Patriot League Championship game. They are a special (and tough) group. I'm also emailing to let you know that I've seen the numerous emails about your frustration over not being allowed to attend the Patriot League Championship game at Bucknell. I, too, am extremely disappointed in this outcome. Having fans from one team attend a game isn't a championship experience, and I've made my feelings known to the Patriot League. Nonetheless, the League has allowed each institution to establish its own attendance policy for regular-season and championship games. And, Bucknell's attendance policy hasn't changed the entire year. I communicated with the League my hope that this would change for a championship game -- for any sport -- but it will not. Again, I know that this is not fair to our student-athletes. But, Bucknell has been consistent and this policy was not put into effect just for this game. Their administration enacted this rule because they believe it's in the best health interest of their community, and we have to respect it. We really don’t have to respect it. At all.
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Post by hc87 on Apr 15, 2021 14:27:08 GMT -5
LOL...I wish the last part of this was really ADMB
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Post by rgs318 on Apr 15, 2021 14:37:54 GMT -5
This, to me, say it all! "Bob Chesney and the rest of the coaching staff will have the team ready and focused for the game on Saturday despite the circumstances."
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Post by WCHC Sports on Apr 15, 2021 14:46:48 GMT -5
Win the meaningful game. We don't want this to be a footnote or excuse for a short off-season. Win the game and then we can tell Bucknell they are wrong while we hold a trophy.
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Post by newfieguy74 on Apr 15, 2021 15:54:20 GMT -5
I appreciate Marcus Blossom issuing this statement. Clearly he understands and appreciates the frustration of HC alums and fans and did what he could to rectify the situation.
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Post by lou on Apr 15, 2021 16:03:40 GMT -5
Never thought this was an issue for fans/alums, we weren't attending games anywhere this Spring. It's addressed to parents
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Post by newfieguy74 on Apr 15, 2021 16:12:32 GMT -5
Fair enough. I imagine he is aware of everyone's frustrations.
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Post by HC92 on Apr 15, 2021 16:21:37 GMT -5
Never thought this was an issue for fans/alums, we weren't attending games anywhere this Spring. It's addressed to parents Plenty of fans and alums are frustrated for the HC families who can’t go while their counterparts from Bucknell can go.
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Post by HC92 on Apr 15, 2021 17:06:55 GMT -5
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Post by rgs318 on Apr 15, 2021 18:14:22 GMT -5
The coach was quite open with his answers. He projects a lot of confidence in his players. The fans were never mentioned.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 15, 2021 18:24:41 GMT -5
Nice interview. Interesting comparison between Bucknell playing their fourth week in a row and HC rested but possibly rusty. Fordham beat Bucknell last week but Bucknell advances to the championship game in front of partisan fans. Nice to be lucky but better to be good. The Bison's charmed existence ends on Saturday.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 15, 2021 18:37:54 GMT -5
The coach was quite open with his answers. He projects a lot of confidence in his players. The fans were never mentioned. Neither was the irony of Fordham being the second best team in the league after beating Bucknell on the road with no fans cheering them on. The interviewer must have been aware of that irony but perhaps was too polite to address it directly. Regarding an annual Championship game going forward. No thanks. After the deprivation of this year I don't wish a ten game season on five of the other league teams. Even though HC just missed the championship and auto bid several times during the TG era, the seven team league is a gem and offers every opportunity to advance to the playoffs as well as a varied OOC schedule each year.
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Post by hc2020 on Apr 15, 2021 18:42:20 GMT -5
The coach was quite open with his answers. He projects a lot of confidence in his players. The fans were never mentioned. Neither was the irony of Fordham being the second best team in the league after beating Bucknell on the road with no fans cheering them on. The interviewer must have been aware of that irony but perhaps was too polite to address it directly. Regarding an annual Championship game going forward. No thanks. After the deprivation of this year I don't wish a ten game season on five of the other league teams. Even though HC just missed the championship and auto bid several times during the TG era, the seven team league is a gem and offers every opportunity to advance to the playoffs as well as a varied OOC schedule each year. Couldn’t agree more. I enjoy having some Ivies and one or two other OOC games on the schedule. I’d like to see us expand the pool of OOC games to more conferences other than just the Ivy, CAA and NEC.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 15, 2021 18:48:28 GMT -5
Neither was the irony of Fordham being the second best team in the league after beating Bucknell on the road with no fans cheering them on. The interviewer must have been aware of that irony but perhaps was too polite to address it directly. Regarding an annual Championship game going forward. No thanks. After the deprivation of this year I don't wish a ten game season on five of the other league teams. Even though HC just missed the championship and auto bid several times during the TG era, the seven team league is a gem and offers every opportunity to advance to the playoffs as well as a varied OOC schedule each year. Couldn’t agree more. I enjoy having some Ivies and one or two other OOC games on the schedule. I’d like to see us expand the pool of OOC games to more conferences other than just the Ivy, CAA and NEC. [/qufamilies The University of San Diego would be a treat for the players' families and a competitive challenge for the players and coaches.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Apr 15, 2021 19:05:59 GMT -5
^
So HC is gonna cover the thousands for an east coast family to get to SD to watch their kid play? Or is the "treat" the families get to foot the bill themselves?
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Post by efg72 on Apr 15, 2021 20:01:29 GMT -5
Patriot League football title up for grabs Saturday as Holy Cross seeks 2nd straight crown
Terrence Spence and Holy Cross football team will finally vie for the Patriot League crown Saturday. Terrence Spence and Holy Cross football team will finally vie for the Patriot League crown Saturday. FILE PHOTO/STEVE LANAVA JENNIFER TOLAND | TELEGRAM & GAZETTE | 4 hours ago WORCESTER — COVID protocols have prevented Holy Cross football players from spending time in the football offices this year, but when they enter the back door of the Luth Athletic Complex on their way in from the practice field, they can see the 2019 Patriot League Championship trophy on display through the main office windows.
“To raise that trophy again,” HC senior defensive back Grant Holloman said, “would be great.”
The Crusaders, who have overcome an, at times, chaotic spring season, will play for their second straight PL title at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bucknell.
The winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.
It will be HC’s first game in three weeks.
“I can’t even explain how eager we are to finally get back on the field and actually play somebody, actually have a game week,” Holloman said. “I think that will show on Saturday, how excited we are, especially playing for a championship.”
The Crusaders returned to the practice field Wednesday after Holy Cross lifted campus restrictions that had been put in place last Friday in response to COVID-19 cases among students.
HC coach Bob Chesney said earlier this week that the restrictions did not greatly impact the team’s preparations for Saturday’s game.
Holy Cross (2-0) claimed the Patriot League’s North Division title and Bucknell (2-1) the South Division crown.
Going into this first-of-its-kind spring season, Chesney expected the unexpected and prepared his team for it.
HC, whose players have done a commendable job following COVID protocols, endured two postponements and three cancellations, and one week simultaneously prepared for three possible opponents.
The Crusaders last played March 27, when they beat Fordham, 34-24. HC’s previously scheduled matchup against Bucknell on April 3 was canceled in the league’s effort to prioritize divisional play. Last weekend’s game at Colgate was canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test within the Raiders’ Tier 1.
We know what we’re about. We know what our game plan is. We’re confident whatever we need to do. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing or where we’re playing. There isn’t a more motivated bunch of guys. HC SENIOR RUNNING BACK MACKLIN KORTEBEIN There was talk that Holy Cross and Bucknell would play for the Patriot League crown last weekend, but instead, the Crusaders were idle for the second straight week and the Bison hosted Fordham as scheduled. The Rams handed Bucknell its only loss.
“It’s definitely been an adjustment,” HC senior running back Macklin Kortebein said, “but like Coach Chesney says, we take it one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. We’ve been through the wringer and I think it’s just made us grow closer and stronger as a team.
“We know what we’re about. We know what our game plan is. We’re confident whatever we need to do. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing or where we’re playing. There isn’t a more motivated bunch of guys.”
With Bucknell on the original schedule, the Crusaders had already put in more than a week of work on the Bison.
“So going into this week, we were a week ahead of where we’d be,” Kortebein said, “so now it’s just rehashing that and executing it and making sure our game plan is 100 percent. We’re really confident. We’re fully prepared.”
Bucknell beat Lafayette (38-13) and Lehigh (6-0) before falling to Fordham (31-17). The Bison has held its opponents to 41.3 rushing yards per game.
Bucknell will be looking to end a five-game home losing streak to Holy Cross.
Bucknell allows up to four family members of its players and coaches to attend outdoor athletic events on campus, but visiting team spectators and general fans are not permitted access to facilities or events. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
The Crusaders, who are seeking their eighth PL title, departed Thursday night.
With students in quarantine and all in-person activities barred until Wednesday, it was a quiet week on the Holy Cross campus, but the Crusaders still felt the buzz of championship week.
“It does feel like a championship week,” Chesney said. “We didn’t play 12 games. We didn’t sit here for three months in June, July and August. It didn’t have the same volume and the same season it would have normally, but in many ways, this has been way more challenging, way more challenging.
“These guys earned the right to get to this game again,” Chesney said. “We had games (postponed and) canceled on us — none of them from us. No other team has had to deal with that.
“Some of it is perplexing, but we’re just thankful and blessed to have an opportunity to play in this championship game. Our guys are excited about it. Bucknell is a phenomenal football team. It will be a huge challenge.”
Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @jentandg
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 15, 2021 20:11:38 GMT -5
^ So HC is gonna cover the thousands for an east coast family to get to SD to watch their kid play? Or is the "treat" the families get to foot the bill themselves? The latter. A "Dutch Treat." 🙂
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Post by blockofgranite on Apr 15, 2021 20:26:58 GMT -5
Good luck, Crusaders. Hope you're repping us in the playoffs
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Post by timholycross on Apr 15, 2021 20:30:23 GMT -5
Has to cost 50-100K to get a team to and from there. Has to be a sponsor or a value other than the game itself; that level opponent can be easily found in New England.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 15, 2021 23:00:38 GMT -5
Has to cost 50-100K to get a team to and from there. Has to be a sponsor or a value other than the game itself; that level opponent can be easily found in New England. I was thinking USD also offers HC an opportunity to further it's goal of being a national liberal arts college to help counter the coming birth dearth, which projects to be especially acute in the Northeast. Anyway, San Diego is just a little past Bucknell.
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Post by mm67 on Apr 16, 2021 6:32:27 GMT -5
Expect HC to win but.... Concerns as follows: Bucknell has a strong run defense. HC has not had a strong passing game. Our running game picked up with the surprise entry of Sluka into the game. No Sluka surprise in this game. Obviously, Bucknell will zero in on Sluka to try to shut him down. Will HC be able to adjust? The three week forced layoff while Bucknell has been playing & developing its game in real games. Practice is not the same as playing in a real game. HC is young at many key positions. Under the best circumstances consistency is always a concern with younger players. The layoff for this young team has to be a concern. Ultimately, I expect the HC defense will dominate and carry HC to a win in a low scoring game. "Take it to the bank." HA!!!
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Apr 16, 2021 6:44:06 GMT -5
Snow covers Fitton Field today. Snow still falling. Northern Worcester County to get 3-8 inches, and 10 inches or more in the higher hills, by the time it ends this evening. (Mt. St. James is not in Northern Worcester County).
I'm sure the stands being metal, with cold air underneath, will be like the proverbial bridges freeze before highways.
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Post by hcpride on Apr 16, 2021 7:24:18 GMT -5
Expect HC to win but.... Concerns as follows: Bucknell has a strong run defense. HC has not had a strong passing game. Our running game picked up with the surprise entry of Sluka into the game. No Sluka surprise in this game. Obviously, Bucknell will zero in on Sluka to try to shut him down. Will HC be able to adjust? The three week forced layoff while Bucknell has been playing & developing its game in real games. Practice is not the same as playing in a real game. HC is young in many key positions. Under the best circumstances consistency is always a concern with younger players. The layoff for this young team has to be a concern. Ultimately, I expect the HC defense will dominate and carry HC to a win in a low scoring game. "Take it to the bank." HA!!! Not that it is gospel, but Degenhardt is listed as the starter going into the game and IF he starts and IF he does well I’m sure he’ll stay in. At the same time I’m hoping this is a ‘keep ‘em guessing’ smokescreen and we see Sluka in there starting but I’m not the coach. Losing Foley is a big blow (he’s our best player IMHO).
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