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Post by Crucis#1 on Sept 26, 2023 18:00:34 GMT -5
The game should be at Fitton.
Don’t get me started regarding football games at a baseball park. The site lines and seating leave a lot to be desired for a serious football fan. For those who are there for the party, it obviously does not matter. The Yankee Stadium game against Fordham has soured me to seeing a game in person at such a venue.
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Post by hc80 on Sept 26, 2023 18:08:57 GMT -5
Just looked at my tickets for Polar Park… it appears I am
In the fifth row down the first base line. Great for baseball but this is the friggin’ end zone. Fifth row!!!
My classmates and I have always sat at the 40 yard line at Fitton in row AA. Best seats in any stadium in New England. Next year I opt out of Polar Park game unless it is BC or UMass….
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Sept 26, 2023 18:11:10 GMT -5
This Polar Park game better turn into playing a PL opponent not named Fordham or else it is lunacy to continue playing this game at a bandbox.
This game against Harvard had all the makings for a very special day at Fitton.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 26, 2023 18:33:41 GMT -5
This Polar Park game better turn into playing a PL opponent not named Fordham or else it is lunacy to continue playing this game at a bandbox. This game against Harvard had all the makings for a very special day at Fitton. i agree that an opponent like Bucknell likely would not draw more than 10 to 12k so it makes sense to have a PL bottomfeeder at Polar. Nevertheless, Polar seats less than 10k, so even last year's Lehigh game would have sold out Polar. I wouldn't mind convincing Merrimack, SHU, or someone like that to play their home game vs us at Polar. They get a larger venue and we keep at least 5 home games at Fitton. Save the bigger, on campus venue for Fordham, Yale, Harvard, UNH, etc. Wonder how much one of the Dakotas or Montanas would draw at Fitton. |
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 26, 2023 19:41:20 GMT -5
Just looked at my tickets for Polar Park… it appears I am In the fifth row down the first base line. Great for baseball but this is the friggin’ end zone. Fifth row!!! My classmates and I have always sat at the 40 yard line at Fitton in row AA. Best seats in any stadium in New England. Next year I opt out of Polar Park game unless it is BC or UMass…. Got bad news for you, 80, as I have been on both the WooSox and Holy Cross. I've begged them to take the EBW game off the season ticket schedule. They refuse to do so. Both parties want to solidify the town/gown relationship. First EBW, not on season ticket schedule and bought the PC overpriced tickets because it was, I thought, a one-time event. Seats were in the mezzanine literally right in front of the press box. Got sandbagged on what I thought was included food/drinkwise. Second EBW, included in season tickets and had seats on perhaps the 20 yard line. Didn't know that until a couple of weeks before the game. Unhappy, I called and HC said WooSox determined where my seats would be. Asked if I could "upgrade" and told "well, you could buy PC tickets" but no discount for what I already paid via the season ticket package. Told them, why should I have to pay for seats via season tickets and then pay again full price for PC tickets? Basically got a shrug. In off season, annoyed the hell out of WooSox and HC ticketing to either not include EBW in season ticketing or allow season ticket members to 1. get better seats of 2. pay a bit extra to upgrade but give credit for the price of the season tickets to the game. You know the former request/suggestion went no where. Third EBW (this one), the seats are even worse - end zone!!! But, "I know a guy" (hcfc45) who tipped me off that he called WooSox and for an additional $10 per ticket, would upgrade to roughly the 50 yard line. Took that option. Now let's see really where I'll be sitting. |
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Post by gks on Sept 26, 2023 19:51:25 GMT -5
For an event that is very important to the city of Worcester and the Holy Cross football program there certainly is a lot of complaining about this event.
For years people clamored and complained for HC to think outside the box and with the PP game they did. Yes, the views aren't perfect. Yes, it only holds 9K. Yes, parking is a pain.
The annual event is not going anywhere. Enjoy it.
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Post by efg72 on Sept 26, 2023 19:55:19 GMT -5
It is a great gesture year one and two. It must end
The only rationale to keep it there we get a big check like a buy game
otherwise HC ought to create financial incentives for one game/all games for the local supporters
all unreserved seats at Fitton go for four dollars if they buy season seats or $12 for a single game
have the Worcester Restaurants provide food on the baseball field for tailgating or inside the stadium for game time concessions
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Post by hcmawfawo on Sept 26, 2023 20:18:17 GMT -5
Understood that not all fans like — but football is played under the lights all over the country at all levels. Restricting all HC home games to a facility (beloved as it is) lacking lights (and basic ADA accommodations) is a problem easily solved at least once a year by playing at Polar. Been good for the team, HC and the City. I can live with it as a fan.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 26, 2023 20:21:25 GMT -5
For an event that is very important to the city of Worcester and the Holy Cross football program there certainly is a lot of complaining about this event. For years people clamored and complained for HC to think outside the box and with the PP game they did. Yes, the views aren't perfect. Yes, it only holds 9K. Yes, parking is a pain. The annual event is not going anywhere. Enjoy it. parking is better than Alumni Stadium! As to lights, we drew more for the UMass and UNH games under the lights in 2011 and 2012. I would like to see that more often with an opponent who potentially would travel well (bring a band, etc). Who knows after this year's scare we gave BC we might have to give them a buy game to convince them to play us again haha! |
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Post by efg72 on Sept 26, 2023 20:23:19 GMT -5
Again unless Woosox gives us a check for $300 k+ it isn’t worth it any longer
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Sept 26, 2023 20:42:30 GMT -5
Ok, while Fitton Field has a lot of sentimental value for me, it’s not that great of a venue. The seats are uncomfortable, concessions are marginal at best, it always seems to take 1/2 hour to get in to the game due to slow ticket taking, if you have to leave the game early you get redirected to some exit half way around the stadium instead of leaving directly to McKeon Rd, and parking if you are not tailgating is terrible. Yes, sight lines are very good. Polar Park is not a great venue for football, but is usual the only game many of my Worcester local friends will go to. And the idea that Worcester should pay Holy Cross to play at Polar Park is very funny.
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Post by hcmawfawo on Sept 26, 2023 20:47:53 GMT -5
Fitton definitely needs a major facelift. Long overdue. With continued success the possibility becomes much more viable. GoCrossGo
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Post by efg72 on Sept 26, 2023 20:48:25 GMT -5
Create a great environment for the Worcester Community to come to Fitton
We have the football product, just improve the food and atmosphere at a reasonable price with post game entertainment
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 26, 2023 21:04:19 GMT -5
Someone suggested earlier that they should raise the price at Polar for the Harvard game.
Didn’t pay attention to the ticket price but will tell you that we paid $20 to pay in the Green Island parking garage the first 2 years and this year it is $30+ which was what I paid for the Newton campus lot for the BC game. 😩
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Post by hcmawfawo on Sept 26, 2023 21:06:48 GMT -5
Love Fitton. But let’s be honest: is is bordered in part by a highway and a canal. Since the RumKeg in HoJos is no longer an option the only available nearby off site food is a Wendy’s and whatever the gas station is serving. Similar to McCoy in the lack of neighborhood ambiance. Polar is surrounded by many options that are ideal for pre or post game gatherings. People that can’t fit in can watch on their phones from anywhere. If HCBC supports the game there as aligned with the mission of the program than I am fully in line. Let’s work on the fundamental redevelopment needed for Fitton — is more than just rented lights.
To be clear — Fitton is fine for day games but one night game at Polar also works well IMO
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 26, 2023 21:18:03 GMT -5
Anyone else get the survey from HC Athletics about their Fitton experience?
I told them that the food and drink choices were excellent and the rest rooms were immaculate. . . . . . but then had to put the disclaimer that I happened to be sitting in the VIP Box (AKA President’s Box). 😂
More generically, I have no problem with the garage parking but told them that I am NOT a big fan of food trucks, though recognizing that they are probably trying to accommodate local small businesses, but the restrooms need a total overhaul, especially I am told, the ladies facilities. The field itself is outstanding thanks to the best ground crew in the Northeast nd maybe nationally.
They had a multiple choice for game starts. From memory, choices were hourly starting at 11:00 am through to 2:00 pm. No evening or late afternoon choice. Guess that’s for Polar Park!
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 26, 2023 21:47:14 GMT -5
Again unless Woosox gives us a check for $300 k+ it isn’t worth it any longer Any payout would be closer to thirty cents imo. I have assumed it's similar to my understanding of the Celtics deal at TD Garden: no rent, HC/Celtics keep the ticket revenue minus taxes and city surcharges and keeps sales of HC merch and the facility keeps all food and liquor sales, other merchandise sales, etc. Actually the HC take might not be that good because if Polar is selling the tickets they probably want a cut of that revenue, too. And the Polar staff has to be paid while the Fitton game day staff doesn't. If the EBW children want the game at Polar because of "Uncle Larry" that would seem to settle matters. If Vince is strongly committed to a downtown game that would seem to settle it also. |
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Post by CHC8485 on Sept 26, 2023 21:58:11 GMT -5
And the Polar staff has to be paid while the Fitton game day staff doesn't.[ The Fitton Game Day staff doesn’t have to be paid??? So the ticket takers, security guards, shuttle bus drivers, beverage sellers, etc are working for free? Doubt it. |
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 26, 2023 22:09:32 GMT -5
And the Polar staff has to be paid while the Fitton game day staff doesn't.[ The Fitton Game Day staff doesn’t have to be paid??? So the ticket takers, security guards, shuttle bus drivers, beverage sellers, etc are working for free? Doubt it. The Fitton game day staff doesn't have to be paid this Saturday while the Polar Staff does have to be paid this Saturday. So I was thinking HC might not keep all the ticket sale receipts for the Harvard Game to help Polar pay their game day staff. The saving grace is the average ticket price for the Polar game should be higher than the average price at Fitton. |
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 26, 2023 22:37:38 GMT -5
I wonder if the Polar Park games have been a good sampling vehicle for HC football?? That is, do some people attend a game at Polar Park only because it is an “event”, but then discover that HC is putting a great product on the field and thereby motivating them to attend a game at Fitton Field? I should hope we are surveying people about this
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 26, 2023 23:07:14 GMT -5
Attendance at Fitton is rising. Success has a thousand fathers, including the Polar Park/City of Worcester/Holy Cross partnership. The long decline in HC football attendance pre-Chesney was an Orphan.
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wstruz71
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 82 
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Post by wstruz71 on Sept 27, 2023 6:02:56 GMT -5
Fitton definitely needs a major facelift. Long overdue. With continued success the possibility becomes much more viable. GoCrossGo Your remark has a lot of merit. However, Fitton Field is only used 4 times a year, 5 if you eliminate the Polar Park game. For this reason, it is not economical. Upgrades could include lighting and improved locker facilities. I have been a season ticket holder for over 45 years, and I love Fitton Field. It is easy to get to (right off 290), and parking is very convenient (I use the garage). I have never been to Polar Park, even though it is part of my season ticket package, and I will never go. Parking, in particular, is a major issue, and a baseball stadium is not designed for football. In summary, even though I am in favor of upgrading Fitton Field, I know it will never happen. |
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Post by newfieguy74 on Sept 27, 2023 7:04:22 GMT -5
Fitton definitely needs a major facelift. Long overdue. With continued success the possibility becomes much more viable. GoCrossGo Your remark has a lot of merit. However, Fitton Field is only used 4 times a year, 5 if you eliminate the Polar Park game. For this reason, it is not economical. Upgrades could include lighting and improved locker facilities. I have been a season ticket holder for over 45 years, and I love Fitton Field. It is easy to get to (right off 290), and parking is very convenient (I use the garage). I have never been to Polar Park, even though it is part of my season ticket package, and I will never go. Parking, in particular, is a major issue, and a baseball stadium is not designed for football. In summary, even though I am in favor of upgrading Fitton Field, I know it will never happen. You make a lot of good points. Going to a football game at Polar Park is kind of fun, but you're right that it wasn't designed for football. As for parking, I've had no problem finding parking. |
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Post by gks on Sept 27, 2023 7:09:37 GMT -5
Fitton Field, at least the big side, is very, very old. Press box is a disgrace. Locker rooms (especially the visiting) are a disgrace. The referees dress in an old maintenance garage.
I find it embarrassing to the college that the reason renovations can't be made is because ADA will kick in. They would never do this to any other campus facility. HC better hope there is never a disabled media member.
But as long as the President's box is taken care of.....
It's the college's front door.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 27, 2023 7:15:51 GMT -5
One thing that is interesting about our beloved Fitton Field is the ADA requirement. I remember suggesting new press and luxury boxes built as a tower behind and above the current home grandstand to avoid "working" on the actual stadium and triggering the ADA. The locker rooms have been renovated and since the bathrooms and concessions are not part of the actual structure of Fitton, I wonder if those could be renovated or heck even replaced since they are glorified trailers underneath the stands. Sightlines are amazing for football at Fitton. It is easy to get to from the highway and parking has never been an issue. We often park up the hill or over by Loyola when we are not tailgating which is our preference these days. We'll walk down and find friends at the tailgate. As such, even at the Fordham game (which we got to early), we got right out on McKeon and 146 quickly. Speaking of the Fordham game, we were sitting with a family from Worcester with no affiliation to the Cross. Last time they went to a game was the PL clincher in the rain in 2009. Winning solves a lot of problems. I asked if they had been to Polar Park and they commented that the whole experience of parking, tickets, food, etc., was more than they wanted to spent on a game.
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