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Post by trimster on May 19, 2021 7:38:18 GMT -5
Why the vitriol? Georgetown has been playing football since 1874 and is no more or less visible than Fordham football (at least until its date in Lincoln this fall). Does Fordham have a Division I football team? There has always been an element of the HC fan base that doesn't want Georgetown in the PL, for grievances unrelated to the field of play. If you agree, petition the College to vote them out at the 2021 presidents meeting, whereupon Georgetown can move to the NEC. DFW HOYA I’m one of the ones that has a problem with Georgetown being in the Patriot League. I feel the same way towards Army and Navy. Why because each of these institutions conveniently uses the Patriot League when it suits them. When was the last time Georgetown basketball invited Holy Cross to play. We have to beg Army and Navy to play us in football but they show up for all of the other sports. No vitriol just fact. Back when I played Georgetown was a club football team. I couldn’t agree more. Same goes for Fordham which refuses to play us in hoops.
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Post by trimster on May 19, 2021 7:42:47 GMT -5
You mean the lots with heavy equipment in them. Maybe one project will be done, parking garage?, but I am going to guess others will be under construction. Best bet for tailgating might be to set up a big top in the parking lot between St. John’s Church and the hockey rink. Of course the ship at the Hotel Vernon in Kelley Square is only minutes away. No I actually mean the lots recently grassed over that will one day be built on but as of October will be wide open and usable for tailgating. Those lots. I didn’t realize they were there. I assume they are directly across from the main entrance. I entered the park via Green St. last week.
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Post by Crucis#1 on May 19, 2021 8:06:46 GMT -5
Have you driven Southbridge St from the Miss Woo to HC in the last couple of years? I would not describe it as flourishing. I remember several Enterprises that were pretty seedy that you would not take a family member. Certainly would cause concern for parents on their first college tours to see HC. Are you talking about really objectionable places like country music bars, soccer clubs. or stock car racing clubs--things that bad? When was the last time you either drove or walked down Southbridge St? I can’t verify the list of establishments that you mention, as it has been 16 months since I was on the corridor between the Miss Woo and I290 at College Square. The view I had, that there were no establishments that I wanted to walk in. It is a thoroughfare that needs renovation and attention as a principal north south artery in the city to get to the DCU Center, Polar Park and the Canal District from HC. I remember walks to get to and from downtown Worcester, particularly to the bus station when in school. It was not well kept then, and noticeable improvements have not been made in the 50 plus years since. I felt more comfortable walking around Hells Kitchen in NYC and the Port Authority Bus Station than the walk to get to the Trailways or Greyhound Bus Terminals. Southbridge is a street that would provide great backdrop for a remake of some of the classic horror movies from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Prior to the pandemic, I enjoyed the vibrancy of repeated walks on streets in major cities e.g., New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle, Montreal, Toronto, and a host of smaller cities and towns throughout North America. Really liked seeing the business that contribute and stopping in to explore and possibly purchase a product. I am looking ahead to be able to do it again.
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Post by Tom on May 19, 2021 8:18:45 GMT -5
You mean the lots with heavy equipment in them. Maybe one project will be done, parking garage?, but I am going to guess others will be under construction. Best bet for tailgating might be to set up a big top in the parking lot between St. John’s Church and the hockey rink. Of course the ship at the Hotel Vernon in Kelley Square is only minutes away. No I actually mean the lots recently grassed over that will one day be built on but as of October will be wide open and usable for tailgating. Those lots. Technically, I suppose no one has come out and said there will be no tailgating. I haven't been in the area lately, but I assume you're talking about across Madison St on the old Wyman-Gordon property. The first question would be "who owns the potential tailgating area?" If the city owns that property now, I don't see tailgating. First of all, if the tailgate includes alcohol, you can't have an open container on public property. The city could waive/ignore that if they wanted to, but Worcester doesn't usually work like that. The city also probably doesn't want people tailgating. The city wants you at local restaurants and bars If Wyman Gordon still owns the property, I can't imagine a big outfit like their parent company allowing alcohol their property from a liability standpoint. Also there is still manufacturing going on in the remaining buildings up against the railroad tracks. I wouldn't be surprised in the 21st century if there is some clause in a government contract that says no alcohol on the property. I think any potential tailgating would need to be in a privately owned area where the owner was a small local entity. Rucker's lot at the ice rink might be a candidate. All depends on what he wants to do and what he thinks allowing tailgating would do to parking revenue
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Post by trimster on May 19, 2021 8:31:42 GMT -5
I am going to guess the people who profit from concession sales will not be pro tailgating unless it happens inside the ballpark.
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Post by trimster on May 19, 2021 10:30:54 GMT -5
Just saw the T&G is reporting the Worcester Railers home opener is the same day, (not sure what time), as the Colgate game at PP. The headline is something has to give.
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on May 19, 2021 10:46:30 GMT -5
Just saw the T&G is reporting the Worcester Railers home opener is the same day, (not sure what time), as the Colgate game at PP. The headline is something has to give. Typical Worcester, we can only have one good thing at a time. People thought Mechanics Hall would go out of business when the Hanover Theatre was renovated. They’ve had their best years since. The Railers, Worcester Red Sox and Bravehearts can all thrive. If you disagree, we’ll know within a couple years.
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Post by HC92 on May 19, 2021 11:08:38 GMT -5
Just saw the T&G is reporting the Worcester Railers home opener is the same day, (not sure what time), as the Colgate game at PP. The headline is something has to give. Not sure how much control the Railers have over schedule. I would assume they provide the dates when they have an arena conflict and then the league makes the schedule around those conflicts. I suspect there will be an effort to move that game but Saturday night is probably the best slot for them. Maybe they can do Friday and that could be another entertainment option for HC families who are so inclined.
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Post by Tom on May 19, 2021 11:21:37 GMT -5
It might be more of an issue if the Railers played at their practice facility where people seem to be parking for Polar Park.
Even though the first game back after a year hiatus is kind of a big deal, the Railers aren't the shiny new toy anymore. Yes, it will hurt the attendance. If you're looking for generic sports fans and drawing them in the with novelty of a night game at a new ballpark, some of those sports fans will have season tickets to the Railers. Worcester should be big enough to host both, but if either game is not sold out, it is reasonable to assume that the other game pulled some fans away
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Post by thecrossisback on May 19, 2021 11:23:27 GMT -5
I was mad at first but I don't think the Railers make their schedule.
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Post by Tom on May 19, 2021 11:23:31 GMT -5
Just saw the T&G is reporting the Worcester Railers home opener is the same day, (not sure what time), as the Colgate game at PP. The headline is something has to give. Maybe they can do Friday and that could be another entertainment option for HC families who are so inclined. Do the Railers want to come out and say they're second fiddle to Holy Cross
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Post by deep Purple on May 19, 2021 11:29:52 GMT -5
Just saw the T&G is reporting the Worcester Railers home opener is the same day, (not sure what time), as the Colgate game at PP. The headline is something has to give. Is anyone able to post the article? I'd bet anything the Railers owner is throwing a temper tantrum over the HC announcement.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on May 19, 2021 11:31:37 GMT -5
I wonder if there might be a small bump up in attendance across the board at athletic events in the fall, post pandemic (hopefully).....
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Post by Crucis#1 on May 19, 2021 11:44:45 GMT -5
Since 2017, there have been several times when there were concurrent events at the XL Center and Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford. The two facilities are closer to each other than Polar and DCU. Outside of some traffic congestion, it worked out fine due to the close proximity to 91 and 84.
With the football game starting at 6:00 and the hockey game starting after 7:00 the city of Worcester can put a plan in place for efficient traffic management. The have 5 months to determine the strategy and tactical implementation so as to not adversely affect either venue.
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Post by Crucis#1 on May 19, 2021 12:02:39 GMT -5
Has anyone watched the WooSox the last couple of weeks on NESN?
I chuckled with delight in the irony that there more daily “Railer” activity by the CSX and Amtrack trains next to Polar Park and the WooSox, than one can actually see inside the DCU Center with the team name “The Railers”. If the Baseball team was called the “Railers”, it would have been on the mark. Must be fun for the kids to see the trains, especially when the engineers blow the whistle.
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Post by HC92 on May 19, 2021 12:05:20 GMT -5
Maybe they can do Friday and that could be another entertainment option for HC families who are so inclined. Do the Railers want to come out and say they're second fiddle to Holy Cross No clue. There will clearly be more fans at the HC football game than the Railers game. The only thing the Railers should care about is which opening night puts more fannies in seats for them. If keeping it Saturday does that, they should stay there. If moving it does that, they should move.
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Post by HC92 on May 19, 2021 12:06:35 GMT -5
All I know is I plan to get to Worcester very early on 10/23 to avoid any traffic/parking nightmares.
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Post by football44 on May 19, 2021 12:10:57 GMT -5
Just saw the T&G is reporting the Worcester Railers home opener is the same day, (not sure what time), as the Colgate game at PP. The headline is something has to give. Is anyone able to post the article? I'd bet anything the Railers owner is throwing a temper tantrum over the HC announcement. Who cares about the Railers owner. He went out of his way to make sure that Holy Cross Hockey and Hockey East couldn't schedule games at the DCU because it would take away from his Railers ice time. Last time I checked you put the Zamboni machine out and clean the ice off for the next game. The Red Sox have the BIG club in Worcester now. Believe me they won't take a back seat to the Railers.
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Post by thecrossisback on May 19, 2021 12:15:55 GMT -5
This is the Telegram Article
WORCESTER — This is a big-enough city to play host to two professional sports teams, but two Opening Nights at the same time may present a problem.
The ECHL Railers, dark for 1½ seasons due to COVID-19 issues, have scheduled their return to the DCU Center ice at 7 p.m. for Saturday, Oct. 23. As it stands, they will be in direct competition with the first college football game ever played at Polar Park, Holy Cross versus Colgate, with kickoff at 6 p.m.
Having been out of action for many months, the Railers are anticipating a big crowd for what they regard as another “inaugural” game type of atmosphere. The team has gone up against Holy Cross football on Saturday before, but those games were at Fitton Field and earlier starts. The novelty of a game at Polar Park may change those dynamics.
More:Touchdowns on the diamond: Holy Cross to play Colgate in football at Polar Park
According to sources, Railers management met Tuesday morning to figure out possible solutions but do not believe the scheduling conflict was intentional. The team only recently released its 2021-22 schedule.
Negotiations for the football game, which sources said initially involved Harvard, date back to 2020.
“We consider the Worcester Red Sox and Holy Cross to be incredible partners in the community,” said Railers HC President Stephanie Ramey. “Sometimes scheduling conflicts occur and we are working together to find a way to enhance the presence of both events. At the end of the day, we are confident that the DCU Center will be full of celebrating Railers fans on October 23 and we are proud to be a part of such a vibrant sports destination.”
WooSox Executive Vice President-General Manager for Business and Real Estate Dan Rea III said he sees no problem resolving things in the coming weeks.
“We have a great relationship with the Railers. They are corporate partners,” Rea said. “This will come to an amicable conclusion.”
Railers sources said that finding a satisfactory solution to the conflict is a matter of ongoing talks involving the WooSox and Holy Cross. One issue is that even if the hockey team does not lose many fans to the football game, it loses a chance to be the only big game in town and the boost it gets with that kind of attention.
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Post by football44 on May 19, 2021 12:24:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the input "thecrossisback"! To your point there is room in the Worcester market for both organizations. Welcome to the 21st century when two professional organizations are battling for fan attention in Worcester. Wow how the times have changed.
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Post by trimster on May 19, 2021 12:32:02 GMT -5
My money is on the football game being moved to the afternoon.
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Post by football44 on May 19, 2021 12:43:38 GMT -5
Trimster the draw is the night football game. If I'm the Railers I'd change the opener to an early afternoon game and do a marketing promo with the Red Sox to offer people at the hockey game an opportunity to go right to the HC game afterward. We'll see you might be right.
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Post by Tom on May 19, 2021 13:21:16 GMT -5
Moving either event to the afternoon will cause some fans not to go. In the case of the football game, it wouldn't be such a special event that they're trying to create. The question is whether or not the gains from people who were more interested in the other event will now do a double header. My guess is no.
I don't think the average sports fan is going to spend the day at the double header.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on May 19, 2021 13:35:03 GMT -5
I'm sure Cliff Rucker's city bag-man Tim Murray got an earful Monday afternoon. Tough sh*t Cliff. Deal with it.
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Post by longsuffering on May 19, 2021 13:50:26 GMT -5
All I know is I plan to get to Worcester very early on 10/23 to avoid any traffic/parking nightmares. I wonder if prices for HC swag will be higher at Polar Park than on campus? They wouldn't, would they?
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