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Post by timholycross on Oct 4, 2021 8:24:40 GMT -5
There was a game at BU in the mid 60s after they had installed the then-new-fangled Astroturf.
They had some protocol for cleaning it; that cleaning solution, and the rainstorm that followed that effort left the field resembling a Slip-and-Slide. The game ended in a tie. My guess is the cleaning protocol changed after that!
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Post by Tom on Oct 4, 2021 9:49:29 GMT -5
I was the first to vote 0-10K so I will admit I was wrong with 10,023
On a related note, I learned that students need to download a ticket to be scanned at the gate and a student ID doesn't cut it. That answers a question I had if the students were tallied in the official attendance.
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Post by Chu Chu on Oct 4, 2021 12:34:57 GMT -5
Both number 1 and number 2 were memorable. That was the worst I have ever seen the field (even the Dartmouth downpour back in 1966 (IIRC) was not that bad.  When I was growing up, whenever someone would complain about bad weather at a sporting event, my father (a BC grad) would remark that he sat in a rainsoaked sell out crowd for 1957 HC v. BC game at Fitton. The Crusader game write up would seem to back that up his description of the day. Apparently, there were 23 fumbles. crossworks.holycross.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2129&context=crusaderThis is another one of those moments when I wish I could still call him and get the whole story. A sold out Fitton in a downpour. Tommy Greene, Vince Promuto and Ed Hayes. Those were the days! |
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Post by hc87 on Oct 4, 2021 13:19:02 GMT -5
A decent crowd, but I have to say, a bit disappointing. If we can barely crack 10K under all the positive factors on Satuday, we'll probably nevah crack 15K evah again.
I actually wondah if we have the logistics to handle such a crowd today with parking, staffing issues etc.
I only did the back&forth from FF to Fitton, were other lots an issue parking-wise? Is there any parking left for game-day above Hogan still?
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Post by princetoncrusader on Oct 4, 2021 18:43:28 GMT -5
I parked in the Hogan lots around 9:45 Saturday morning. There were a good number of spots still left at that hour. I had a parking pass for the garage, but thankfully made the wise decision to park atop the Hill. I got there early to attend the dedication of the new Rec center. The Jo, a nickname assigned by the architect, is a spectacular addition to the physical plant. I got the full tour from the director of the facility, who came to HC from MIT. It has to be a great recruiting tool for prospective students and even faculty.
I had not been on campus since Oct. of 2019. Amazing how the whole upper campus has changed.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Oct 4, 2021 19:01:00 GMT -5
A decent crowd, but I have to say, a bit disappointing. If we can barely crack 10K under all the positive factors on Satuday, we'll probably nevah crack 15K evah again. I actually wondah if we have the logistics to handle such a crowd today with parking, staffing issues etc. I only did the back&forth from FF to Fitton, were other lots an issue parking-wise? Is there any parking left for game-day above Hogan still? Couple of factors that I believe contributed to slightly less-than-expected attendance: 1) Combination of people choosing/being unable to attend because of vaccine mandate and maybe still being fearful of venturing out amongst a big crowd. 2) With the night game against Colgate looming in 2 weeks at Polar Park, I'm sure a number of alumni and supporters instead circled this as the "must-see" home date in lieu of Homecoming. That being said 10K is definitely below the mark for Homecoming against Harvard with a good team. I agree that 15K will be tough to achieve again. 14-15K is the current high water mark with the perfect storm of circumstances in play. |
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 4, 2021 21:11:12 GMT -5
It did not appear there were many Harvard fans there from what I saw on my video. 15k would seem to require fans of the opponent. No?
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Post by hc87 on Oct 4, 2021 21:37:21 GMT -5
It did not appear there were many Harvard fans there from what I saw on my video. 15k would seem to require fans of the opponent. No? Agreed....has to be a dual effort to get into the 15-20K range....probably the only FCS local that could do that today is UNH. If UMass or UConn evah did a 2 or 3 to 1 game at Fitton contract, that might get to that level. Doubtful in this day and age another FBS team evah travels to Fitton though. |
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 4, 2021 21:37:41 GMT -5
Really, what college in the northeast has a fan base that travels well? Admitting my bias, I am not sure I can name a school of our size that travels better than Holy Cross.
i've posted in the past how the locals in Columbus approached me at the Nationide Arena during our NCAA basketball game against Southern Illinois to express how impressed they were with our fan turnout and even more impressed when they were told how small the school was (their frame of reference was Ohio State).
While they would never do it, a UMass game might well pack Fitton with 15,000+ especially as they might think they'd have a chance at a win.
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 4, 2021 21:41:03 GMT -5
Alternatively, if Chesney and Holy Cross could ever get to where Holy Cross again becomes "Worcester's team," there are more than enough locals to fill Fitton.
Winning and and community outreach would need to be ratcheted up.
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Post by bfoley82 on Oct 4, 2021 22:54:45 GMT -5
Really, what college in the northeast has a fan base that travels well? Admitting my bias, I am not sure I can name a school of our size that travels better than Holy Cross. i've posted in the past how the locals in Columbus approached me at the Nationide Arena during our NCAA basketball game against Southern Illinois to express how impressed they were with our fan turnout and even more impressed when they were told how small the school was (their frame of reference was Ohio State). While they would never do it, a UMass game might well pack Fitton with 15,000+ especially as they might think they'd have a chance at a win. The only comparable New England FCS football school in size to Holy Cross is Bryant. Merrimack will be once they officially become FCS. |
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Post by bfoley82 on Oct 4, 2021 22:56:47 GMT -5
Alternatively, if Chesney and Holy Cross could ever get to where Holy Cross again becomes "Worcester's team," there are more than enough locals to fill Fitton. Winning and and community outreach would need to be ratcheted up. But will Chesney still be there? This has to be a major concern as he will have better opportunities out there. |
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 5, 2021 0:12:09 GMT -5
It did not appear there were many Harvard fans there from what I saw on my video. 15k would seem to require fans of the opponent. No? Agreed....has to be a dual effort to get into the 15-20K range....probably the only FCS local that could do that today is UNH. If UMass or UConn evah did a 2 or 3 to 1 game at Fitton contract, that might get to that level. Doubtful in this day and age another FBS team evah travels to Fitton though. What does the prognostigatah think the attendance for an FCS game vs UNH, Maine or URI would be? |
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 5, 2021 0:16:39 GMT -5
Really, what college in the northeast has a fan base that travels well? Admitting my bias, I am not sure I can name a school of our size that travels better than Holy Cross. i've posted in the past how the locals in Columbus approached me at the Nationide Arena during our NCAA basketball game against Southern Illinois to express how impressed they were with our fan turnout and even more impressed when they were told how small the school was (their frame of reference was Ohio State). While they would never do it, a UMass game might well pack Fitton with 15,000+ especially as they might think they'd have a chance at a win. UMass would be smart to schedule it. It's a shorter haul for their Eastern Mass Alums. |
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 5, 2021 7:13:38 GMT -5
...and it is certainly cheaper than paying HC to go to their stadium.
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Post by timholycross on Oct 5, 2021 7:20:44 GMT -5
1As, even terrible ones, 99% of the time, don't play 1AAs on the road. Just don't.
50/50 gate?
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Post by timholycross on Oct 5, 2021 7:22:25 GMT -5
When I was growing up, whenever someone would complain about bad weather at a sporting event, my father (a BC grad) would remark that he sat in a rainsoaked sell out crowd for 1957 HC v. BC game at Fitton. The Crusader game write up would seem to back that up his description of the day. Apparently, there were 23 fumbles. crossworks.holycross.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2129&context=crusaderThis is another one of those moments when I wish I could still call him and get the whole story. A sold out Fitton in a downpour. Tommy Greene, Vince Promuto and Ed Hayes. Those were the days! Anyone paying college tuition for a son or daughter these days will find the front page story sickening. |
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Post by Ignutz on Oct 5, 2021 7:46:38 GMT -5
A sold out Fitton in a downpour. Tommy Greene, Vince Promuto and Ed Hayes. Those were the days! Anyone paying college tuition for a son or daughter these days will find the front page story sickening. Quick Observations: Overall - Ads for two different cigarette brands and Schaefer beer. Not seeing any of that in The Spire! Football - HC total yardage - 97 BC total yardage - 86 Was that for the first quarter?? (I also note that the Purple Pennings column references "punting on third and sometimes second down.") |
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Post by hc87 on Oct 5, 2021 10:12:53 GMT -5
Agreed....has to be a dual effort to get into the 15-20K range....probably the only FCS local that could do that today is UNH. If UMass or UConn evah did a 2 or 3 to 1 game at Fitton contract, that might get to that level. Doubtful in this day and age another FBS team evah travels to Fitton though. What does the prognostigatah think the attendance for an FCS game vs UNH, Maine or URI would be? Given the same conditions that existed this past Saturday (and let's say covid issues are mostly behind us): UNH 13-15K probably the strongest FCS following in NE week to week URI 10-13K hoop following primarily Maine 8-10K too far |
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Post by thecrossisback on Oct 5, 2021 10:14:44 GMT -5
I agree. To get better teams to Fitton the facilities would need to be updated. The away lockeroom especially.
UNH is probably the best opponent to play. I thought Dartmouth traveled better then Yale and Harvard.
Merrimack down the road might travel a little better.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Oct 5, 2021 10:23:08 GMT -5
We have been hearing about this sub-optimal visitors locker room for as long as this board has been in existence. Is it really that bad? If so, why in the heck don't we invest the few dollars necessary to bring it up to standard?
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Post by thecrossisback on Oct 5, 2021 10:58:24 GMT -5
I would say drawing 15k is possible but it has to be a night game.
Harvard drew 20K night game.
Penn drew 8K night game.
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 5, 2021 11:52:30 GMT -5
Here's the thing. You could probably easily get 15,000-18,000 at Fitton for most opponents if the administration would wise up and admit anyone from Worcester for $2-$3 (proof of residency required but scrutinize that proof as closely as they looked at the covid/ID proof - in other words, very lightly). "Here's the deal" - an empty seat brings absolutely no revenue. Doesn't generate an enthusiastic crowd. Looks bad on TV/streaming. Doesn't do anyone any good. For a cheap seat, it builds community connection and the people who come, especially kids, will use the concessions.
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Post by hc87 on Oct 5, 2021 12:04:52 GMT -5
Not sure what/how (or if) it can be done but it's too bad we can't see the "home" side during the video streaming of games...it's usually much more packed and would give off bettah optics than continually seeing a near empty visitor-side. Not sure if the camera/angles or existing tech etc are available or doable to accomplish this.
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 5, 2021 12:16:59 GMT -5
What does the prognostigatah think the attendance for an FCS game vs UNH, Maine or URI would be? Given the same conditions that existed this past Saturday (and let's say covid issues are mostly behind us): UNH 13-15K probably the strongest FCS following in NE week to week URI 10-13K hoop following primarily Maine 8-10K too far I meant to say FCS Playoff game against any of those regional State U's, but given the colder weather during playoffs, these figures are probably equally valid. |
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