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Post by longsuffering on Oct 2, 2023 17:47:27 GMT -5
hc80 encapsulated it perfectly.....it was basically a cocktail party/extended tailgate inside the stadium....nothing inherently wrong with this but we basically drove ovah an hour to watch the video-board during the 1st H before moving like hc80 to a bettah spot to watch the game. It's a fun night out I suppose but it will be last PP game unless it's an important game (big league game, playoff game etc) Minor league parks have to be in the entertainment business because winning a pennant is kind of superfluous to their mission of prepping players for the Show.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Oct 2, 2023 22:35:21 GMT -5
Ditto. Except, I am happy about Polar Park and Worcester; it's a boon for the City. But my first HC game there (Colgate) is my last. This tells me everything I need to know. I love that the people of Worcester have a AAA team and great ballpark downtown. Let it be used for baseball. We have one of the best college football venues in New England on our own campus. Come on down!
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Post by efg72 on Oct 3, 2023 8:10:08 GMT -5
My comments about using Polar Park have nothing to do with the field or the game. I would, however, prefer we play the weakest PL opponent if we are going to use one of our home games.
What I object to is the amount of time our players and coaches contribute to promoting the game during game week. They were doing something each day in the community this year; perhaps because it was Harvard. One day early in the week is fine but if you look at social media posts on Twitter and Instagram there were interviews and events planned for each day.
That is both tiring and an enormous distraction for young men who are students and of course athletes preparing for a game. There is not that much energy required of teams and players for a post season event when classes are over.
If the decision makers want the game play it. The game should be against our weakest PL home opponent, and players and coaches should not commit more than one half day for promotion.
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Post by timholycross on Oct 3, 2023 8:52:20 GMT -5
My comments about using Polar Park have nothing to do with the field or the game. I would, however, prefer we play the weakest PL opponent if we are going to use one of our home games. What I object to is the amount of time our players and coaches contribute to promoting the game during game week. They were doing something each day in the community this year; perhaps because it was Harvard. One day early in the week is fine but if you look at social media posts on Twitter and Instagram there were interviews and events planned for each day. That is both tiring and an enormous distraction for young men who are students and of course athletes preparing for a game. There is not that much energy required of teams and players for a post season event when classes are over. If the decision makers want the game play it. The game should be against our weakest PL home opponent, and players and coaches should not commit more than one half day for promotion. I have the perfect solution- play it the Saturday at the end of the why-in-hell-do-they-need-a vacation week. Plenty of free time for the players to promote the event.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Oct 3, 2023 9:09:23 GMT -5
My comments about using Polar Park have nothing to do with the field or the game. I would, however, prefer we play the weakest PL opponent if we are going to use one of our home games. What I object to is the amount of time our players and coaches contribute to promoting the game during game week. They were doing something each day in the community this year; perhaps because it was Harvard. One day early in the week is fine but if you look at social media posts on Twitter and Instagram there were interviews and events planned for each day. That is both tiring and an enormous distraction for young men who are students and of course athletes preparing for a game. There is not that much energy required of teams and players for a post season event when classes are over. If the decision makers want the game play it. The game should be against our weakest PL home opponent, and players and coaches should not commit more than one half day for promotion. A lot of promoting going on to result in a non-sellout of a 9500 seat stadium against a marquee opponent. Time to focus up against bringing night games back to Fitton. If the concessions and craft beer are that great, lets try to imitate that here.
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Post by hcfan85 on Oct 3, 2023 11:24:39 GMT -5
My comments about using Polar Park have nothing to do with the field or the game. I would, however, prefer we play the weakest PL opponent if we are going to use one of our home games. What I object to is the amount of time our players and coaches contribute to promoting the game during game week. They were doing something each day in the community this year; perhaps because it was Harvard. One day early in the week is fine but if you look at social media posts on Twitter and Instagram there were interviews and events planned for each day. That is both tiring and an enormous distraction for young men who are students and of course athletes preparing for a game. There is not that much energy required of teams and players for a post season event when classes are over. If the decision makers want the game play it. The game should be against our weakest PL home opponent, and players and coaches should not commit more than one half day for promotion. This is my first post on this board. You realize that had nothing to do with them getting beat on the field right? Did you know that it is impossible to post content on a different day than it is recorded? Maybe they should just stop posting content all together. Who needs it? it doesn't help with recruiting or help the promotion of the program. Also it's really interesting that the student-athletes and the Woo Sox would come back to the same exact location on multiple days wearing the exact same outfits to record separate promotions that take hours and hours out of their days.
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 3, 2023 11:55:44 GMT -5
Welcome hcfan85. Post often. Be careful using logic on Crossports. That can get you into trouble.
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Post by Tom on Oct 3, 2023 12:07:41 GMT -5
I think I've said this before, but Polar Park reminds me of night football at Fitton
Year 1 vs UMass was awesome. It was an event as much as a football game and there was a great turnout Year 2 vs UNH still pretty good with larger than normal crowd Year 3 vs Monmouth - just another game. Not worth the expense of renting lights for a 4th year
The novelty wears off. I'm not saying Polar won't happen next year, but it is going to be diminishing returns going forward.
Not suggesting everyone does this, but I never looked at my ticket and just picked a nice seat on the 3rd base grandstand about the 47 yard line
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 3, 2023 12:50:17 GMT -5
Another night game at Fitton could be a carrot to lure UMass back to Worcester, the heart of their Commonwealth.
Perhaps offer them all the ticket sales above the average attendance for the past two years for Fitton regular season games. That would be a great incentive for them to promote the game to their students and alumni, which has to be a couple of hundred thousand people within a reasonable drive of Worcester, a shorter drive for most than Amherst.
In effect it would be a buy game by an FCS team to an FBS team. HC would keep the increased food and beverage sales over a regular crowd. Unique circumstances of UMass being FBS with an asterisk and Fitton being closer to most of their alumni than McGuirk.
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Post by gks on Oct 3, 2023 13:33:47 GMT -5
Another night game at Fitton could be a carrot to lure UMass back to Worcester, the heart of their Commonwealth. Perhaps offer them all the ticket sales above the average attendance for the past two years for Fitton regular season games. That would be a great incentive for them to promote the game to their students and alumni, which has to be a couple of hundred thousand people within a reasonable drive of Worcester, a shorter drive for most than Amherst. In effect it would be a buy game by an FCS team to an FBS team. HC would keep the increased food and beverage sales over a regular crowd. Unique circumstances of UMass being FBS with an asterisk and Fitton being closer to most of their alumni than McGuirk. This ranks right up there with Villanova and W&M to PL. Aint happening.
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Post by efg72 on Oct 3, 2023 13:37:01 GMT -5
My comments about using Polar Park have nothing to do with the field or the game. I would, however, prefer we play the weakest PL opponent if we are going to use one of our home games. What I object to is the amount of time our players and coaches contribute to promoting the game during game week. They were doing something each day in the community this year; perhaps because it was Harvard. One day early in the week is fine but if you look at social media posts on Twitter and Instagram there were interviews and events planned for each day. That is both tiring and an enormous distraction for young men who are students and of course athletes preparing for a game. There is not that much energy required of teams and players for a post season event when classes are over. If the decision makers want the game play it. The game should be against our weakest PL home opponent, and players and coaches should not commit more than one half day for promotion. This is my first post on this board. You realize that had nothing to do with them getting beat on the field right? Did you know that it is impossible to post content on a different day than it is recorded? Maybe they should just stop posting content all together. Who needs it? it doesn't help with recruiting or help the promotion of the program. Also it's really interesting that the student-athletes and the Woo Sox would come back to the same exact location on multiple days wearing the exact same outfits to record separate promotions that take hours and hours out of their days. HC Fan 85 welcome aboard-and thanks for the response Much of what I post is to create conversation and hear the different opinions. My comments on this topic, this year and in the past, have supported and opposed the Polar Park event. It is also in response to the poll. Assume you are correct, and it was all done on one day and the effort was not a distraction or burden on the players. Assume for the purpose of the post the information presented was accurate or the events were held on multiple days, and it was in fact a distraction. Under either assumption there was no comment made about the game or if it impacted the result. The team did not execute and lost the game-- stuff happens in life, and while disappointing we are still on track to win the PL and make the playoffs. Full speed ahead And again, welcome to the board, and please post frequently.
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Post by bowling alone on Oct 3, 2023 14:04:49 GMT -5
As an 80s alum, married to another, and the parent of a current student, I read this Board frequently but comment only occasionally.
My own take on the Polar Park game:
First, it's consistent with Holy Cross' Aspire Strategic plan, particularly the "In and Of Worcester" tenet. Holy Cross is positioning itself as an active participant in Worcester's continuing revitalization. Playing a single game in Worcester's showplace is an easy way to further that end.
Second, it's a good opportunity to have students engage with Worcester. Students going to the Polar Park game might wander the Canal District, check out the Worcester Public Market or have coffee at Birchtree Bread Company. The College can point to these kinds of activities to attract students looking for an urban college experience. In any event, it's certainly a different experience than drinking on Freshman Field, wandering into Fitton at kickoff, and heading back to the dorm for a nap at halftime.
Third, it advances Holy Cross' relationship with city government. There's a puncher's chance that, after this fall's election, the progressive bloc will have a majority in the Worcester City Council. The pressure for the College to make PILOT payments will likely ratchet up. The Polar Park game provides another "soft dollar" example that the College can point to in demonstrating how it's a good Worcester citizen.
There will be wins and losses to come at Fitton. The Polar Park game advances Holy Cross' long-term objectives, regardless of the outcome on the field.
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Post by Chu Chu on Oct 3, 2023 14:24:54 GMT -5
So, "....it was basically a cocktail party". And that is supposed to be a bad thing?
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Post by WCHC Sports on Oct 3, 2023 14:29:37 GMT -5
I take the selfish route: do what is best for the team and HC. If Worcester benefits, so be it. If HC wins every damn game, and provides a tremendous experience on the home field, then the locals will come and there will be ancillary benefits. But the football team and its performance (and home field advantages) needs to be the first, second, and third priorities. Just like putting the HCMBB team at the DCU Center... I'm not here to be the traveling road show. Like the Jaguars whose home field is in Florida having a second adopted home town in London. I wouldn't give up a Fitton Field home game for nearly anywhere else if I'm trying to build my own marquee program.
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Post by cmo on Oct 3, 2023 16:30:58 GMT -5
What does chesney want? What do the players want?
Find out, then do that.
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Post by efg72 on Oct 3, 2023 16:34:15 GMT -5
I believe CMO is right-- and I believe they should be about 80% of the decision on Polar Park- The other 20% goes to Kit and Vince
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 3, 2023 16:59:25 GMT -5
JMO but based on his public comments and his 10+ years as a Worcester resident, I don't think he's as opposed to the annual EBW game at Polar Park as many here, myself included, are.
As for the players, I got a couple of emails from some players which I share with their names redacted:
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Post by hc87 on Oct 3, 2023 18:11:03 GMT -5
goholycross.com/sports/football/schedule/2024Curious what game they would choose next year for the PP game. Only one home game in October. Most years I'd say Yale (Sept 21) would be HC and Fordham (October 12) would be PW. Would they have a PP game in November?
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 3, 2023 18:13:29 GMT -5
Another night game at Fitton could be a carrot to lure UMass back to Worcester, the heart of their Commonwealth. Perhaps offer them all the ticket sales above the average attendance for the past two years for Fitton regular season games. That would be a great incentive for them to promote the game to their students and alumni, which has to be a couple of hundred thousand people within a reasonable drive of Worcester, a shorter drive for most than Amherst. In effect it would be a buy game by an FCS team to an FBS team. HC would keep the increased food and beverage sales over a regular crowd. Unique circumstances of UMass being FBS with an asterisk and Fitton being closer to most of their alumni than McGuirk. This ranks right up there with Villanova and W&M to PL. Aint happening. "Ain't happening" is a great Crossports phrase. The three home games at McGuirk this season have yielded attendance of 9207, 8298 and 9494. When UMass Basketball was a bigger fish than UMass FB is now, they played at the DCU and UMass Med School had a student and staff section with a big "UMass Worcester" banner. When the Minutemen made the ill advised move to FBS they played in Foxborough. UMass is very receptive to playing East of Amherst. Their current attendance figures would fit into Polar Park, so it w might be more attractive to play us in an event game in downtown Worcester.
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Post by cruskater31 on Oct 3, 2023 18:17:24 GMT -5
goholycross.com/sports/football/schedule/2024Curious what game they would choose next year for the PP game. Only one home game in October. Most years I'd say Yale (Sept 21) would be HC and Fordham (October 12) would be PW. Would they have a PP game in November? with Montes only a sophomore, I would think Fordham would be still competitive next year (although they will have targets graduating). Considering we nearly drew 20k for Fordham, I find it very hard to think the Fordham game would be PP, but...Fordham the last two Yeats has been last week of October and next year it is the end of HC Fall Break which could make sense. The Yale game is flirting with the end of the WooSox season. Excited to watch next year's game from my living room. Watching year 1 ans 2 on tv was fine. Camera angles were ok and better than my seats this year (even though I purposely went with the 2nd to last row on the 50 hoping for a good angle.) I like UMass at PP, but I think we get 15-20k at Fitton like our last UMass game.
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 3, 2023 18:24:46 GMT -5
goholycross.com/sports/football/schedule/2024Curious what game they would choose next year for the PP game. Only one home game in October. Most years I'd say Yale (Sept 21) would be HC and Fordham (October 12) would be PW. Would they have a PP game in November? Gee we might have to have the EBW Classic to salute Edward Bennett Williams at Fitton next year.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Oct 3, 2023 18:31:25 GMT -5
UMASS ain't playing us in Worcester. Heck, they probably wouldn't even play us in Amherst anytime soon.
If we do get a game against the Minutemen, it'll definitely be at McGuirk. They might agree to play us at Fenway, definitely not at PP.
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Post by Tom on Oct 3, 2023 19:35:44 GMT -5
goholycross.com/sports/football/schedule/2024Curious what game they would choose next year for the PP game. Only one home game in October. Most years I'd say Yale (Sept 21) would be HC and Fordham (October 12) would be PW. Would they have a PP game in November? In year #1, the Polar game was on family weekend
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Post by Crucis#1 on Oct 3, 2023 21:04:06 GMT -5
Reviewing the 2024 schedule, the Alums in Rhode Island and Central NY should be very happy with two games each locally.
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Post by cruskater31 on Oct 3, 2023 21:06:18 GMT -5
Just realized, with Bryant joining the CAA next season, we are opening with 3 straight CAA games. I should probably be posting this in the conference realignment thread! I hope the UNH and URI games are a future home and home.
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