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Post by Ignutz on Dec 1, 2021 9:05:37 GMT -5
That doesn’t sit right with me. Seems like the college should be able to come up with $5K to travel those 30 or so guys who have worked their rear ends off since the summer on a bus (not plane) to Philadelphia for a night. How can we get this corrected? Based on the bus allowance of $6,000 per diem, that pays for four buses. Silver Fox buses seat 56. So four buses are more than sufficient. Before trying to get anything corrected, we need confirmation from HC2020 that this was said by Chesney, or one of the coaches, and not speculation, rumor, bantering among the players. If the NCAA travel handbook explicitly states that the NCAA will reimburse for a travel party of 130, who are the individuals taking the places of the 30 or so players supposedly not going? To my eye, if true, this reflects poorly on Chesney, not the college, given the NCAA reimbursement of 130 individuals. One thing to consider: There's no way that the football players are going to sit two-by-two on buses to Philly, so the calculus isn't as simple as 56x4. More importantly, between the Gridiron Club and posters to this forum, raising $5-6,000 should take about ten minutes. If someone wants to put something together I'll seed the pot with $100. Every player should be on the trip.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Dec 1, 2021 9:08:17 GMT -5
^ Again, I was advised that the team was told at the beginning of this week by their coach that not everyone would be able to travel to Villanova. There was also some discussion about perhaps securing a bus to take players to Villanova on Friday but that is all I have to share. This sounds similar to what was done previously for other games; i.e., the players who will dress and participate in the game will go down on Thursday. The players who will not dress will travel down on Friday. In any event, the matter has now been elevated to Vince, the Interim AD, and Chesney, so answers will be forthcoming shortly.
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 1, 2021 9:08:27 GMT -5
OK, while I try to keep some stuff anonymous, here's what I wrote and guess this therefore become "an open letter" (not sure as I'm not positive I've ever written an "open letter" before ):
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Dec 1, 2021 9:16:03 GMT -5
Based on the bus allowance of $6,000 per diem, that pays for four buses. Silver Fox buses seat 56. So four buses are more than sufficient. Before trying to get anything corrected, we need confirmation from HC2020 that this was said by Chesney, or one of the coaches, and not speculation, rumor, bantering among the players. If the NCAA travel handbook explicitly states that the NCAA will reimburse for a travel party of 130, who are the individuals taking the places of the 30 or so players supposedly not going? To my eye, if true, this reflects poorly on Chesney, not the college, given the NCAA reimbursement of 130 individuals. One thing to consider: There's no way that the football players are going to sit two-by-two on buses to Philly, so the calculus isn't as simple as 56x4. More importantly, between the Gridiron Club and posters to this forum, raising $5-6,000 should take about ten minutes. If someone wants to put something together I'll seed the pot with $100. Every player should be on the trip. 56 x 4 = 224 seats. I think the NCAA took the size of some football players into account in the bus allowance. For most sports, the allowance is one bus, as the official party is often less than 40. And there is less allowance for open seats when it comes to plane charters, or traveling commercial (unless you charter the Kraft Air Force at a discount). You are not allowed to sell tickets on the plane to boosters if the charter aircraft has more seats than the official party allowance.
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Post by longsuffering on Dec 1, 2021 9:28:00 GMT -5
There are so many variables that have been raised. For example, perhaps Coach is considering protecting the circadian rhythms of the top 64 with extra school money spent on a second hotel night over housing the non playing squad members overnight and a bus back and forth on Friday will be provided for them.
Everyone flew to Brookings, SD and the team got trounced last year. Maybe the emphasis this year is on it's a business trip. Maybe Coach chose to prioritize extra school financial contributions on making an ostentatious bid to ensure a home game in the first round. Who knows?
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 1, 2021 9:32:43 GMT -5
OK, I got a call just now from Silver Fox (my good friend/classmate) in response to my email. Here's what I can tell you:
1. 3 buses are heading down to Philly tomorrow. The 3 buses is the standard for the football team away games (i.e. what was used for the Bucknell game). There are 165 seats on those 3 buses.
2. He does not know who will be on those buses but his best guess (that's all it is), nothing official, is that would include the entire team.
3. He does not believe those 3 buses would include the band or cheerleaders only because they would not be going down that early for a game.
Edit: he did tell me what hotel they are staying at but that's confidential. I also neglected to ask him when the return trip is.
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Post by longsuffering on Dec 1, 2021 9:42:10 GMT -5
OK, while I try to keep some stuff anonymous, here's what I wrote and guess this therefore become "an open letter" (not sure as I'm not positive I've ever written an "open letter" before ): You smoothly turned a letter about getting the inside scoop on an unsubstantiated rumor into philanthropic altruism. Well done.
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Post by WCHC Sports on Dec 1, 2021 9:45:10 GMT -5
Is it possible the COACH doesn't want the extra noise, headaches, and logistics to worry about for players who will be on the sidelines in sweatpants, and wants immediate focus on those who are going to play in the contest? As such, he uses "budget" (believable, with this school's focus on athletics, funding, and AD-- seemingly never stepping up to the rescue) as the scapegoat? Why are we getting on his case then? The board has anointed the coach as the savior of HC athletics, so let him do what he wants with his team.
If it truly is the budget and organization, a bunch of clowns (said with self-deprecating humor, and much adulation for my fellow posters) on the internet were able to draft some rather-simple logistics with bus costs, seating arrangements, and NCAA reimbursement policies. We should not expect the AD is paying attention, or has anyone at the wheel. Mr. President Rougeau can step in and lead from the top, and I can delete my first paragraph.
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Villanova
Dec 1, 2021 9:45:30 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by hc2020 on Dec 1, 2021 9:45:30 GMT -5
OK, I got a call just now from Silver Fox (my good friend/classmate) in response to my email. Here's what I can tell you: 1. 3 buses are heading down to Philly tomorrow. The 3 buses is the standard for the football team away games (i.e. what was used for the Bucknell game). There are 165 seats on those 3 buses. 2. He does not know who will be on those buses but his best guess (that's all it is), nothing official, is that would include the entire team. 3. He does not believe those 3 buses would include the band or cheerleaders only because they would not be going down that early for a game. Edit: he did tell me what hotel they are staying at but that's confidential. I also neglected to ask him when the return trip is. Thanks for sharing this info. For what it’s worth, the entire team did NOT travel to Bucknell, so if the same number of buses has been reserved I don’t know if that gives us any particular insight as to how many are actually traveling.
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 1, 2021 9:46:05 GMT -5
Yeah, I was accused earlier as having "the gift of gab." Not sure if that was inherited from my Irish-immigrant grandfather who could and would talk to anyone . . . . . or my having literally kissed the Blarney Stone (not recommended after hearing what the locals do to it, only after I kissed it! )
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Post by rgs318 on Dec 1, 2021 9:54:04 GMT -5
I knew of that practice...kissed it anyway!
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Post by dharry13 on Dec 1, 2021 10:01:15 GMT -5
I think every kid should be allowed to go to Villanova. It's a Round 16 game. They should experience the atmosphere.
Regarding the kids not going to Bucknell - it's a league rule I believe that only a certain amount of kids can dress. Not every kid can go to every game. There are many former players on this board and most if not all spent time on the bench - most particularly their Freshman and Sophomore years.
I didn't make any away trips other than Army for my Freshman or Sophomore years. Not once did I feel as though I wasn't part of the team or the coaches didn't care about me. I got the fact that only so many kids could dress and go for each game. Just was part of the process for me. It's a part of the process for every kid in the country.
Honestly I was pretty proud to say I was part of a team that was ranked in the Top 10 in the country in both years. I was in awe of the Juniors and Seniors who were dominant - I was there on the 1990-1993 football teams.
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Post by lou on Dec 1, 2021 10:02:21 GMT -5
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Post by hchoops on Dec 1, 2021 10:04:21 GMT -5
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Post by rgs318 on Dec 1, 2021 10:10:43 GMT -5
Our game is now picked by Massey to be the biggest difference in scores - V by 13 (30-17) and he gives Villanova an 82% probability of a win...so with 18% HC still has a chance.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Dec 1, 2021 10:16:05 GMT -5
Is it possible the COACH doesn't want the extra noise, headaches, and logistics to worry about for players who will be on the sidelines in sweatpants, and wants immediate focus on those who are going to play in the contest? As such, he uses "budget" (believable, with this school's focus on athletics, funding, and AD-- seemingly never stepping up to the rescue) as the scapegoat? Why are we getting on his case then? The board has anointed the coach as the savior of HC athletics, so let him do what he wants with his team. This is my guess, too, WCHC.
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Post by thecrossisback on Dec 1, 2021 10:20:03 GMT -5
Holy Cross legend, Heisman finalist Gordie Lockbaum cheers on Crusaders in FCS playoffs Holy Cross quarterback Gordie Lockbaum was a standout two-way football player for Holy Cross from 1984-88. WORCESTER — Holy Cross great Gordie Lockbaum was visiting his family in New Jersey for Thanksgiving last weekend so he wasn’t at frosty Fitton Field to see his Crusaders take down Sacred Heart in the first round of the FCS playoffs, but he watched every snap of the exhilarating victory on the ESPN+ broadcast on his phone.
HC sophomore quarterback Matthew Sluka and sophomore wide receiver Jalen Coker hooked up for the winning touchdown with 14 seconds left, and the 13-10 triumph was the program’s first in the postseason.
“Great perseverance is the way I look at it,” Lockbaum said Monday. “They just kept after it and kept competing. The defense played great and the offense did just enough. We missed some opportunities, but you put yourself in position at the end and made big plays. It’s pretty exciting.”
Holy Cross (10-2) advanced to the second round and plays at Villanova (9-2) at 7 p.m. Friday. The fifth-seeded Wildcats, who won the Colonial Athletic Association title, earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Lockbaum, HC’s two-way sensation and a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, played the final game of his illustrious Holy Cross career at Villanova Stadium.
“I definitely have some good memories of that place,” Lockbaum said. “Hopefully they can re-create and get us another win.”
On Nov. 19, 1987, Lockbaum caught 15 passes for 196 yards and scored three touchdowns to lift Holy Cross to a 39-6 win over Villanova before a national ESPN audience. HC capped an 11-0 season atop the NCAA Division 1-AA poll, and Lockbaum set or tied seven school records in his final game.
Lockbaum, who was born in Media, Pennsylvania, not far from Villanova, and grew up in Glassboro, New Jersey, said he probably won’t make the trip this week, “but that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about it heavily,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind going down there for old time’s sake.”
Lockbaum, a Worcester resident, has been to a handful of HC games, including the sellout at Polar Park when the Crusaders whipped Colgate, 42-10, this fall.
“It’s an exciting team,” Lockbaum said. “The beauty of the program right now and the team they’ve assembled is these guys love the game of football. You can tell. It comes through the excitement on the sideline, the support for one another, the way they compete and they’ve got some talent through and through. Every position group seems to have some good talent and the guys perform.”
Lockbaum has attended practices, been around the team and has gotten to know the players, as well as coach Bob Chesney and his staff well.
Chesney has guided the Crusaders to three straight Patriot League championships in his four years at Holy Cross.
“I just love the fact that his approach to the game is energy,” Lockbaum said. “He brings a ton of energy to the table and the guys respond. I think one of the things you love most about any football team is they look like they’re having fun. That’s kind of a nebulous term because you say that and you’re not just out there floating around and enjoying the game; you’re executing, you’re working hard in practice and in the weight room, and you’re getting your rest. You’re fully committed, and these guys appear to be fully committed.”
Lockbaum, who was inducted to the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1993, has had some great interactions with HC’s players throughout the season.
“For him,” Chesney said, “he was doing this on the biggest stage. He lived it; he had the experience of it. In the end, when he comes back and talks to these guys it often is about their time together, cherishing those moments together, bus rides or practices or whatever it might be. That’s what a lot of his talk centers on and it’s something our guys take to heart.”
Holy Cross students were on Thanksgiving break last weekend, but Chesney was impressed with the crowd of more than 4,000, that included family, friends, a solid Sacred Heart contingent, and members of the Worcester community.
“Our guys were so excited to represent their city,” Chesney said, “and be proud of where they go to school and the place they call home. I was excited to see that and to see the community come together.”
During HC’s glory days in the Lockbaum era, locals regularly packed Fitton Field on Saturday afternoons. That has not been the trend in recent decades, but the Crusaders’ game at Polar Park certainly drew Central Mass. interest.
“There was a ton of alumni support at that game and it was really nice to see all the alums there,” Lockbaum said, “and there were a lot of city people, too. The energy was tremendous. People really enjoyed it and hopefully that’s something that can trigger the city becoming more involved. Hopefully the new (Holy Cross) president (Vincent Rougeau) and the next athletic director can tap into the city connection and make some connections that are going to get the people back involved.
“It’s going to take a little bit to get them back,” Lockbaum said, “but the way you do it is you show commitment to the city, which I think Chesney and these guys are, and I think winning always helps and an exciting brand of football with some legit players. They have some guys on this team who can really get after it. They have a lot of talent.”
The nervous excitement for Lockbaum, and all Holy Cross fans, when the Crusaders got the ball back with three minutes left and trailing by four last Saturday quickly turned to elation.
“They did what they had to do at the end and stuck with it,” Lockbaum said, “and hopefully they can just keep doing the right things.”
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Villanova
Dec 1, 2021 10:25:42 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by bfoley82 on Dec 1, 2021 10:25:42 GMT -5
Any chance of this game being televised? I believe the game is on ESPN2 on Friday night I am seeing NFL Live at 9pm on ESPN2 and the HC game on ESPN+
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 1, 2021 11:34:17 GMT -5
Does this sound like someone who might have an interest in the AD position?
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Post by hchoops on Dec 1, 2021 11:38:32 GMT -5
If Gordie applied last time, as was mentioned here, perhaps his rejection would not have encouraged a second (more ?) try ?
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 1, 2021 11:43:45 GMT -5
Silver Fox if we need to charter another bus for the non-playing football players:
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 1, 2021 11:50:58 GMT -5
Maybe. But different decision maker(s) this time. Does this sound like someone who'd give up after one rejection?
Yes, I know Chesney doesn't factor in the decision making but shows Gordie is informally involved in HC athletics and has done a couple of other things on athletic leadership at HC.
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Post by hc89 on Dec 1, 2021 12:30:29 GMT -5
Any word on an HC Tailgate or Reception at this game? Thanks.
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Villanova
Dec 1, 2021 12:45:51 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by hc2020 on Dec 1, 2021 12:45:51 GMT -5
Any word on an HC Tailgate or Reception at this game? Thanks. As far as tailgating goes, I was told it is only permitted in their S-1 lot and that lot only accommodates about 90 vehicles. Not sure if those spots are already spoken for by season ticket holders or if they are first come, first serve. Parking is available elsewhere at a cost of $20. villanova website says tailgating is permitted 4 hrs. before kickoff.
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Post by hchoops on Dec 1, 2021 12:58:35 GMT -5
Silver Fox if we need to charter another bus for the non-playing football players: I presume he means after the game on Friday and return at 5am on Saturday
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