|
|
Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Oct 9, 2022 8:45:46 GMT -5
Weak opponent and the student body away. I don’t think Fitton Field would have seen better numbers. I saw many Worcester locals that went to the game only because it was at Polar Park.
|
|
|
|
Post by thecrossisback on Oct 9, 2022 8:50:44 GMT -5
Just 7,658 at Polar Park? Reports that some 13,000 tickets possibly sold thus far for upcoming Fordham game at Fitton? How many more fans would have seen the Crusaders crush the Bison yesterday had the game been on campus? Would seem to me the novelty of a Holy Cross football game at Polar Park may already be over. Garbage statement. How was the view from your couch? Bucknell brings maybe 5 fans to that game. Maybe I don't think one person there said yesterday wow this atmosphere is awful! Keep crying nobody cares about Pawtucket. |
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Oct 9, 2022 8:58:28 GMT -5
The shared sideline is why only PL opponents will likely be suckered into a game at Polar Park. Bucknell had to stash substitutes on the non-used sideline (opposite the HC share of the sideline) to allow for red-zone substitutions without the players having to run 50 yards. Totally ridiculous.
|
|
|
|
Post by cruskater31 on Oct 9, 2022 9:02:29 GMT -5
I love the atmosphere although I hear sightlines are not great. Since this is the start of fall break, I would think some would stick around for the game. Offer buses or something like that. I was disappointed at the lack of buses and students at the Harvard, but they seem to show for Fitton games (at least more than they did 15 years ago). I would like to see some more student engagement to go hand in hand with the Worcester engagement.
|
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Oct 9, 2022 9:10:29 GMT -5
Certainly not ideal
Another option would be to select 1 game where we sell 10k seats at Fitton for $5-10-15/family and
Invite the local restaurants and businesses to set up in the outfield for a different version of tail gating
You would lose parking
It could be in addition to PP or an option to the downtown game
Perhaps it doesn't meet the purpose of using PP but an option
|
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Oct 9, 2022 9:14:32 GMT -5
As a few of us predicted, the obvious blowout matchup - along with the diminished novelty and zero Bucknell interest in Worcester and the HC student fall break campus exit - forestalled a Polar Park sellout. No surprise there.
Beyond watching some nice HC players make some nice plays the only interest for me watching on the TV was to see if we’d break the 50-O barrier against the hapless opponent. And hoping we’d stay healthy. The game was semi-unwatchable IMHO.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Oct 9, 2022 9:14:51 GMT -5
I love the atmosphere although I hear sightlines are not great. Since this is the start of fall break, I would think some would stick around for the game. Offer buses or something like that. I was disappointed at the lack of buses and students at the Harvard, but they seem to show for Fitton games (at least more than they did 15 years ago). I would like to see some more student engagement to go hand in hand with the Worcester engagement. IIRC, when HC played @ Harvard late in the day / evening, HC ran buses. That was because of the partying before / during / after the game. I do not recall whether HC ran student buses for last year's inaugural EBW game. The college may have. Students are not sticking around for a late afternoon game against Bucknell. Maybe more might have done so if it was a noon or 1 PM start. |
|
|
|
Post by timholycross on Oct 9, 2022 9:16:47 GMT -5
Why not just go all Black with the helmet? Purple numbers w/white outline would be infinitely better w/the all black tops & pants. Those numbers looked like they were ironed on by someone's mom. |
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Oct 9, 2022 9:21:13 GMT -5
When HC has its new residence hall next to Polar Park, the students will be at Polar Park in droves, -- less for the football and more for the post-game partying in the new residence hall, and the surrounding area. How many College Hill students can you squeeze into a 200 bed residence hall, with big common areas?
|
|
|
|
Post by HC92 on Oct 9, 2022 9:21:41 GMT -5
I thought the black unis looked great. Numbers not my favorite but a cool look that I’m guessing the players liked.
|
|
|
|
Post by HC92 on Oct 9, 2022 9:23:56 GMT -5
I was pleasantly surprised by the viewing experience. I had heard so much about bad sight lines, too far from the field, etc that I was expecting it to be bad but I thought it was fine where I was on the 40 yard line on the third base side. Also went to the end zone late and liked it from there too. Worcester Wall seats seemed to have a good view when we stopped there pre-game.
|
|
|
|
Post by timholycross on Oct 9, 2022 9:24:51 GMT -5
Just 7,658 at Polar Park? Reports that some 13,000 tickets possibly sold thus far for upcoming Fordham game at Fitton? How many more fans would have seen the Crusaders crush the Bison yesterday had the game been on campus? Would seem to me the novelty of a Holy Cross football game at Polar Park may already be over. Garbage statement. How was the view from your couch? Bucknell brings maybe 5 fans to that game. Maybe I don't think one person there said yesterday wow this atmosphere is awful! Keep crying nobody cares about Pawtucket. The profitability of playing at Polar is one thing- but in terms of actual numbers, Fitton would have been lucky to see 4,000 souls inside it yesterday. The opponent and the fall break are the main culprits. In a perfect world, HC plays only road games or has byes during that break. |
|
|
|
Post by newfieguy74 on Oct 9, 2022 9:38:13 GMT -5
Weak opponent and the student body away. I don’t think Fitton Field would have seen better numbers. I saw many Worcester locals that went to the game only because it was at Polar Park. The atmosphere was great, although the lack of excitement on the field kept things a little subdued. Kudos to the band, missing a lot of its members, for giving it their all. I talked to an usher and a Worcester policeman on detail, and they both thought the atmosphere was great. Polar Park is great, but it's hard to get around the fact that the sight lines for football are not good. |
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Oct 9, 2022 9:44:43 GMT -5
When HC has its new residence hall next to Polar Park, the students will be at Polar Park in droves, -- less for the football and more for the post-game partying in the new residence hall, and the surrounding area. How many College Hill students can you squeeze into a 200 bed residence hall, with big common areas? Dorm near PP ?? did you omit the smiley face ? |
|
|
|
Post by purple1 on Oct 9, 2022 10:04:12 GMT -5
I agree 100% with TimHC. The atmosphere itself was awesome, the kids had a blast with many options for food. The view from our suite was outstanding and met many people. This would be a sellout every year if HC played more interesting opponents and people would pay the higher ticket prices. Great to see so many local Worcester community faces that you do not see at Fitton, but Chesney's troops may be bringing back the faithful - everyone likes a winner !
This football team is a juggernaut and will keep getting better ...... disappointed to see 2/3's of the Bucknell team just walk off the field with no hand shakes to the Holy Cross players. This starts at the head coach and on down.......Bucknell has their hands full with what to do.
Good upcoming break and get ready for the second half of the season.
Great day to be a Crusader !!
|
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Oct 9, 2022 10:10:36 GMT -5
ImThis football team is a juggernaut and will keep getting better ...... disappointed to see 2/3's of the Bucknell team just walk off the field with no hand shakes to the Holy Cross players. This starts at the head coach… Bucknell is continuing their Covid fan scam by social distancing from our players after the game. Makes as much sense as their original Covid fan scam. I was impressed the TV announcers mentioned the scam. |
|
|
|
Post by cruskater31 on Oct 9, 2022 10:39:06 GMT -5
ImThis football team is a juggernaut and will keep getting better ...... disappointed to see 2/3's of the Bucknell team just walk off the field with no hand shakes to the Holy Cross players. This starts at the head coach… Bucknell is continuing their Covid fan scam by social distancing from our players after the game. Makes as much sense as their original Covid fan scam. I was impressed the TV announcers mentioned the scam. I was impressed also! I think I wanted to kick the fg late to make it an even 60 more for that reason than my need for the scoreboard to be more even looking. |
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Oct 9, 2022 10:51:22 GMT -5
I have to point out that the number of points scored by Bucknell was equal to the number of HC fans they admitted to their home PL championship game...ZERO. Ironic "justice."  |
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Oct 9, 2022 11:08:40 GMT -5
When HC has its new residence hall next to Polar Park, the students will be at Polar Park in droves, -- less for the football and more for the post-game partying in the new residence hall, and the surrounding area. How many College Hill students can you squeeze into a 200 bed residence hall, with big common areas? Dorm near PP ?? did you omit the smiley face ?   Don't need to be a rocket scientist when the "co-owner" of the new Jesuit residence is also developing the property across the street from the main entrance to Polar Park. This development is called Madison Properties. Construction in underway on the first building, 228 units, with completion set for 2023. Four other buildings are slotted for the larger site, not all of which are to be residential. IIRC, the site was originally owned by Wyman Gordon. Now, certainly it is always possible that the owner-developer of the Madison Properties site made a visit to Montserrat, and while there, became so infused with Ignatian spiritually that he is gifting the Society of Jesus with a new residence on College Hill. The college needs swing space while it rebuilds the older dorms, and given the recent burst in enrollment, has apparently decided to provide a residence hall for 200+ students in the heart of Worcester, within an easy walk of the annual EBW Classic. Not unreasonable to speculate that one of the other Madison Properties proposed buildings will be a student residence, open in the fall of 2024. |
|
|
|
Post by hc87 on Oct 9, 2022 11:17:35 GMT -5
I think a lot of the media take their cue on much of HC football from this very board...references to the 1991 comparison, the Bucknell fan snub etc etc
Glad I stayed in Dartmouth yesterday, I really don't have anything against games at PP (aside from taking one game away from Fitton every year) but that was about as big a mismatch as you'll see at the FCS-level....if could be said that we are FBS G5 level team this year, while Bucknell is a glorified FCS team, more of a D2 team really.
I'll go to the PP game some year.but I think (as of now anyway) it's nearly always going to be an uninteresting PL opponent or someone like Central Connecticut St etc due to the logistics, fan interest etc
|
|
|
|
Post by CHC8485 on Oct 9, 2022 11:50:17 GMT -5
Just 7,658 at Polar Park? Reports that some 13,000 tickets possibly sold thus far for upcoming Fordham game at Fitton? How many more fans would have seen the Crusaders crush the Bison yesterday had the game been on campus? Would seem to me the novelty of a Holy Cross football game at Polar Park may already be over. Apparently you missed this post of mine in the Is polar Park Close to Sold Out Thread ... Don't compare Polar Park this year to Polar Park Last year or Fitton Field in General. Compare Polar Park this year to Fitton Field on any Fitton game during Fall Break. Average attendance of 10 games held on either weekend of the Columbus break = 5,658 If you drop the 2 games against Harvard (which may have been Homecoming games) and that number drops to 4635. | Year | Date | Opponent | Attendance | | 2021 | Oct 16 | Georgetown | 4518 | | 2020 |
| COVID |
| | 2019 | Oct 19 | Harvard | 10381 | | 2018 |
| Away Both Weekends |
| | 2017 | Oct 7 | Monmouth | 4484 | | 2016 | Oct 8 | Bucknell | 6184 | | 2016 | Oct 15 | Harvard | 9115 | | 2015 | Oct 10 | Brown | 4673 | | 2014 |
| Away Both Weekends |
| | 2013 | Oct 12 | Bucknell | 3318 | | 2013 | Oct 19 | Colgate | 6213 | | 2012 | Oct 6 | Bucknell | 3297 | | 2011 | Oct 15 | Dartmouth | 4392 |
I don't know where the break even point comes, but if they get 7,000 at Polar Park, that's in the neighborhood of 2,000 more people in the seats, 5000 people paying a higher price on average than at Fitton and the intangibles of the community outreach. If they continue to hold this game on one of the Fall break weekends, you are looking at a roughly $125,000 increased revenue plus the good will generated with the city and its residents. From that perspective it works out pretty well for HC. So 3,000 more than a typical Columbus Day Weekend Saturday against teams not named Harvard looks pretty good. Add in that last year was also during Family Weekend - when many students are looking for something to do with their visiting family ... I don't think 7,658 says the novelty has worn off with the people of Worcester at all. |
|
|
|
Post by CHC8485 on Oct 9, 2022 11:58:52 GMT -5
Weak opponent and the student body away. I don’t think Fitton Field would have seen better numbers. I saw many Worcester locals that went to the game only because it was at Polar Park. The atmosphere was great, although the lack of excitement on the field kept things a little subdued. Kudos to the band, missing a lot of its members, for giving it their all. I talked to an usher and a Worcester policeman on detail, and they both thought the atmosphere was great. Polar Park is great, but it's hard to get around the fact that the sight lines for football are not good. Kudos to the Band, yes as always. Missing a few members, officially no. Unfortunately 2 years of barely having an opportunity for a band to play anywhere has caused some thinning in the ranks. Expect those numbers to change as the band begins to show that they are indeed a spirited and fun group to be part of ... on and off the field! |
|
|
|
Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Oct 9, 2022 14:12:50 GMT -5
The shared sideline is why only PL opponents will likely be suckered into a game at Polar Park. Bucknell had to stash substitutes on the non-used sideline (opposite the HC share of the sideline) to allow for red-zone substitutions without the players having to run 50 yards. Totally ridiculous. Oh the horror, 20 year old kids have to run 50 yards. Unbelievable, people will find any stupid reason to whine. |
|
|
|
Post by CHC8485 on Oct 9, 2022 15:05:46 GMT -5
The shared sideline is why only PL opponents will likely be suckered into a game at Polar Park. Bucknell had to stash substitutes on the non-used sideline (opposite the HC share of the sideline) to allow for red-zone substitutions without the players having to run 50 yards. Totally ridiculous. Phreek, Love ya man but between Fenway Park and Wrigley Field plenty of schools have played with similar set-ups in the last 10 years including Norte Dame playing a home game at Fenway vs. BC, Northwestern has played Illinois & Purdue and was scheduled to play Wisconsin in the COVID year at Wrigley. The fact that the 2 games at Polar have been against PL teams is more a factor of the calendar than teams agreeing to play under this configuration. A game will not be played there before the end of the Woo Sox season plus a week or 2 to convert the field from baseball to football. By that time PL play is well underway. So you unless a team is willing to switch a league game to earlier in the season, it is far more likely a PL opponent will be played at Polar Park. |
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Oct 9, 2022 15:06:59 GMT -5
Just 7,658 at Polar Park? Reports that some 13,000 tickets possibly sold thus far for upcoming Fordham game at Fitton? How many more fans would have seen the Crusaders crush the Bison yesterday had the game been on campus? Would seem to me the novelty of a Holy Cross football game at Polar Park may already be over. Less. Who would boycott the game because it's a mile away? Unfortunately there was nobody on campus due to OSHA mandated 🙂 fall vacation for the overworked students. I suspect this game would have been more sparsely attended if at Fitton. I think the AD, probably mainly Nick Smith and Coach Chesney and possibly Marcus Blossom handled this perfectly and picked the best possible home game to sacrifice Fitton for. |
|
