Post by Sons of Vaval on Jul 1, 2022 5:24:31 GMT -5
Crusaders,
I was able to attend my first Holy Cross Commencement ceremony in May — and our recent celebration at the Hart Center — recognizing the Class of 2020 — and I was excited to see so many of our student-athletes honored for their fantastic accomplishments in the classroom over their four (or five) years on The Hill. Seeing our Class of 2022 football seniors wearing their three championship rings wasn’t too bad either! And in recent weeks, as we welcomed alumni at our reunion weekends, it was an honor to meet so many of the individuals who are the foundation of this athletic department’s storied history.
As we close the 2022 academic year, I wanted to reach out to share with you some of my early thoughts on Crusader Athletics and recognize some of the tremendous accomplishments of the last few months on campus. There is so much potential for us to move this program forward together, but also so much for us to celebrate and be proud of right now. Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff are committed, hard-working, and determined to achieve and win for Holy Cross. Seeing these common traits has me grateful and motivated to do the work necessary to put our people in the best position for success moving forward. There is much work to be done, but I have no doubt that we are up to the task!
Spring of Success...
• In February, head football coach Bob Chesney signed a five-year contract extension. In four seasons at the helm, Chesney has led the program to three Patriot League championships and three trips to the NCAA football championship subdivision playoffs.
• Our women’s basketball team, led by Patriot League Player of the Year Avery LaBarbera and Patriot League Coach of the Year Maureen Magarity, secured the program's first regular-season Patriot League title since 2004-05 season, and clinched just the second WNIT appearance in program history.
• Men’s rowing was ranked in the top 20 nationally throughout the spring and completed their season at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship Regatta. The women’s rowing team won the Varsity Eight Petite Final at the Patriot League Championships in Camden, N.J.
• This spring, we announced two new head coach hirings. Kristy Jones joined us in May as head coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving programs, while Ben Graham, formerly the associate head coach for the men’s soccer team, became the head coach of our women's soccer team.
• Following the retirement of Richard L. Ahern ’51 Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Jim Kavanagh — after 52 seasons on The Hill — we announced that Jett Alfonso ‘92 P24 has been promoted to serve as our new Director of Cross Country and Track and Field.
• In May, we announced major enhancements to the Hart Center Turf Field and Track. With a $3.1 million investment from the College, the renovation will entail the resurfacing of both the track and field, as well as the installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation system.
• May 20 marked a record-setting Giving Day, in which more than 2,300 donors contributed $666,984, directly impacting every one of our athletics programs.
• In June, we joined the City of Worcester in celebrating its 300th birthday. Holy Cross has been a key part of the Worcester community since the school was founded in 1843. We also had the extreme fortune of sitting down with one of the most legendary names in Worcester’s history, Bob Cousy ‘50, for a recent episode of 'Sader Stories to discuss what the city and College have meant to him.
What's Next...
• Team clinics have returned to Holy Cross starting this summer! So far, it has been great to see so many members of the Worcester community learn from our student-athletes and staff. You can visit goholycrossclinics.com for more information.
• June 23 marked the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX. Throughout the year, Holy Cross will join institutions across the country in commemorating the anniversary with a series of virtual and in-person celebrations. You can follow podcasts, video features, historical facts and reflections, and more all year long at goholycross.com/titleix.
• In addition to our recent head coaching hires, we are also undergoing active searches to name the next head coaches of our women’s golf and women’s tennis programs.
• On Sept. 17, as part of our annual Homecoming Weekend festivities, we look forward to honoring Jim Kavanagh — and all of his accomplishments throughout his 52 years on Mount St. James. More details on the celebration will follow soon.
• And of course, we are eager for our fall teams to return to campus as we prepare to kick off a successful fall slate!
Thank you for your continued support of our department throughout another impressive year for our Crusaders. We closed out the fiscal year yesterday, but as we continue to process mailed-in gifts, we are pleased to share that online giving is still open – through 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 6. Your commitment to our department is sincerely appreciated by all of us on Mount St. James.
Throughout my first six months on The Hill, as I have had the opportunity to meet with past, present and future generations of Crusaders, I have been blown away by the consistent devotion, energy and passion when it comes to Holy Cross. As we take time to reflect on all we have done so far, and look forward to the possibilities that Holy Cross holds, there is plenty of reason to smile and celebrate — and motivation to keep aiming for bigger and better. Let’s get to work TOGETHER!
Go Cross Go!
——
Not one mention made of the premier sport at Holy Cross. Fail.
I was able to attend my first Holy Cross Commencement ceremony in May — and our recent celebration at the Hart Center — recognizing the Class of 2020 — and I was excited to see so many of our student-athletes honored for their fantastic accomplishments in the classroom over their four (or five) years on The Hill. Seeing our Class of 2022 football seniors wearing their three championship rings wasn’t too bad either! And in recent weeks, as we welcomed alumni at our reunion weekends, it was an honor to meet so many of the individuals who are the foundation of this athletic department’s storied history.
As we close the 2022 academic year, I wanted to reach out to share with you some of my early thoughts on Crusader Athletics and recognize some of the tremendous accomplishments of the last few months on campus. There is so much potential for us to move this program forward together, but also so much for us to celebrate and be proud of right now. Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff are committed, hard-working, and determined to achieve and win for Holy Cross. Seeing these common traits has me grateful and motivated to do the work necessary to put our people in the best position for success moving forward. There is much work to be done, but I have no doubt that we are up to the task!
Spring of Success...
• In February, head football coach Bob Chesney signed a five-year contract extension. In four seasons at the helm, Chesney has led the program to three Patriot League championships and three trips to the NCAA football championship subdivision playoffs.
• Our women’s basketball team, led by Patriot League Player of the Year Avery LaBarbera and Patriot League Coach of the Year Maureen Magarity, secured the program's first regular-season Patriot League title since 2004-05 season, and clinched just the second WNIT appearance in program history.
• Men’s rowing was ranked in the top 20 nationally throughout the spring and completed their season at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship Regatta. The women’s rowing team won the Varsity Eight Petite Final at the Patriot League Championships in Camden, N.J.
• This spring, we announced two new head coach hirings. Kristy Jones joined us in May as head coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving programs, while Ben Graham, formerly the associate head coach for the men’s soccer team, became the head coach of our women's soccer team.
• Following the retirement of Richard L. Ahern ’51 Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Jim Kavanagh — after 52 seasons on The Hill — we announced that Jett Alfonso ‘92 P24 has been promoted to serve as our new Director of Cross Country and Track and Field.
• In May, we announced major enhancements to the Hart Center Turf Field and Track. With a $3.1 million investment from the College, the renovation will entail the resurfacing of both the track and field, as well as the installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation system.
• May 20 marked a record-setting Giving Day, in which more than 2,300 donors contributed $666,984, directly impacting every one of our athletics programs.
• In June, we joined the City of Worcester in celebrating its 300th birthday. Holy Cross has been a key part of the Worcester community since the school was founded in 1843. We also had the extreme fortune of sitting down with one of the most legendary names in Worcester’s history, Bob Cousy ‘50, for a recent episode of 'Sader Stories to discuss what the city and College have meant to him.
What's Next...
• Team clinics have returned to Holy Cross starting this summer! So far, it has been great to see so many members of the Worcester community learn from our student-athletes and staff. You can visit goholycrossclinics.com for more information.
• June 23 marked the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX. Throughout the year, Holy Cross will join institutions across the country in commemorating the anniversary with a series of virtual and in-person celebrations. You can follow podcasts, video features, historical facts and reflections, and more all year long at goholycross.com/titleix.
• In addition to our recent head coaching hires, we are also undergoing active searches to name the next head coaches of our women’s golf and women’s tennis programs.
• On Sept. 17, as part of our annual Homecoming Weekend festivities, we look forward to honoring Jim Kavanagh — and all of his accomplishments throughout his 52 years on Mount St. James. More details on the celebration will follow soon.
• And of course, we are eager for our fall teams to return to campus as we prepare to kick off a successful fall slate!
Thank you for your continued support of our department throughout another impressive year for our Crusaders. We closed out the fiscal year yesterday, but as we continue to process mailed-in gifts, we are pleased to share that online giving is still open – through 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 6. Your commitment to our department is sincerely appreciated by all of us on Mount St. James.
Throughout my first six months on The Hill, as I have had the opportunity to meet with past, present and future generations of Crusaders, I have been blown away by the consistent devotion, energy and passion when it comes to Holy Cross. As we take time to reflect on all we have done so far, and look forward to the possibilities that Holy Cross holds, there is plenty of reason to smile and celebrate — and motivation to keep aiming for bigger and better. Let’s get to work TOGETHER!
Go Cross Go!
——
Not one mention made of the premier sport at Holy Cross. Fail.