FHCBC's thoughts about HC?

He probably made a similar statement about Salve Regina and Assumption too...

But it’s a 100% factual statement. Go click on the opening scene of College Game day at JMU this year on YouTube. If you genuinely think the student, alumni and Worcester fan base at HC is remotely close to that of JMU…Wow!

And he will say the same thing if he ever ends up at Penn St or Notre Dame.

Bob rightfully thought the 31% football alumni participation rate for CAF/GC was a joke. It’s good to step out of the Crossports bubble at times and touch some grass fellas.

You may have missed my initial comment that "I know that sort of statement is a bit of a standard wording for a new coach, but was it really necessary?"
I stated my disappointment at the comment and I stand by my opinion in that regard. I had a higher opinion of FHCHCBC, hence my disappointment.

If, as you state, it was made up by the SID and had Bob's name slapped onto it...that would make it a lie, wouldn't it? I do not believe the fact that it is often done that way makes it acceptable. Do you?

Serious question:  What is the ballpark average alumni participation rate for FCS schools?

If the Villanovas of the world are getting 10%, then 31% is pretty good.   If South Dakotas of the world are getting 60%, then 31% is pretty bad

Just looking for some context.   Not even sure if this is a published number

I would not speak about my previous job at all, but focus on the one I now held. What would you do differently? Was your comment meant to be taken seriously? Come on....

The "unmatched" term is more a demonstration of Chesney's great human relations skills than anything else. It is so much more collegial and smooth to say unmatched as opposed to best ever or better than anything I've ever seen or something like that.

FBS generates more notice than FCS and JMU is in a bigger sports desert than Worcester which has always been in the Boston TV market and locals have generations of tradition following the Boston pro teams.

So it would be surprising if quantitatively the support for JMU FB isn't larger than for our Crusaders but I would say the positivity of spirit is unmatched at both schools.

I’ll bet that as long as any of us live we will never hear Bob Chesney make a negative comment about Holy Cross.

Why does anyone care? He's the coach at JMU, not HC. Of course he's going to say the right things about his new school. What did some of you expect him to say: "The passion at JMU is unmatched, except at Holy Cross"? Absurd. I don't know how many times I've said this but it's too many: he's gone. Get over it.

Reminds me of college. Some guy would get dumped. Every so often he would get blasted and around two in the morning he would call his ex and say, "I just wanted to tell you that I hate you and you're you're a total bitch and you ruined my life, but I still think there's a chance for us." Some guys just can't let go . . .

Why? It's hot stove league season with a storm blowing in. Bowling leagues are canceled tonight.🙂

Former FB head coach Neil Wheelright (still alive at 91) was critical of HC FB facilities and resources when he left. I recall an article where he traced HC's average wins over a certain period of past years at 4 per year indicating how tough a place it was to win. He had frank responses in the interview, nothing rising to defamation or anything, but it's interesting that Holy Cross was his last coaching stop in 1980.

Could we categorize Coach Wheelright as being the last coach of the old era of Crusader football and Rick Carter being the first coach of the modern era?

While I don't know what the actual number is now, 15 or so years ago I was told by Advancement staff that alums who had gotten athletic scholarships (i.e. football and basketball) gave at a much lower rate than non-athletes or athletes who had not received scholarships. I won't get into specifics but that was an area that I focused on with my Class and the numbers improved and can confidently say higher than 31% for our group. 

As for Bob Chesney's comment, I think the term "unmatched" was purposely well chosen. I don't think I can recall at his press conference or anytime thereafter that he said anything like "I hope we can get Holy Cross' passion for the football team to be as strong as we had at Assumption and Salve Regina." 

Do I wish he stayed at least another year at HC? Sure. But he's moved on and I am confident that he enjoyed his time on Mt. St. James. We should salute him; wish him good luck (along with Jake and any other Crusader grad transfers that join him); and now, we need to focus on our future with Dan Curran.