Holy Cross Football : Playing to Win Off the Field

To: 277 Loyal Crusaders collectively defined as the 2013 '90-Wide' Mentoring Program 
Regarding: Rollout of the next iteration of the '90-Wide' Mentoring

I believe I speak for many on this distribution in stating that there are few personal passions and pursuits that bring greater satisfaction than witnessing the love that many Crusaders have for each other and the college. We see strong evidence of this in the avid participation and support of the Holy Cross Gridiron Leadership Council's '90-Wide' Mentoring Program. 

Chris Matthews Is a Disgrace

Although CNBC commentator Chris Matthews apologized today for the insensitivity of his remarks made regarding Hurricane Sandy during last night's Presidential coverage, he should be aware of how deeply painful those remarks sting to those directly impacted by the storm. To that end, I welcome utilizing this blog to highlight a statement put forth by a fellow HC Alum.

A letter sent to Chris Matthews today: 

Mr Matthews,

I am a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross just like you are. I just wanted to remind you what being an alumni of this prestigious institution means. 

Holy Cross Football Signs Big Time Local Recruit Sean Thompson

I am thrilled to inform the entire Holy Cross Football family of the recent signing of a "big time" local recruit. 

Sean Thompson is a truly special kid from North Grafton, MA. To read more about his "signing" up with the Crusaders, please read, save and share the following release put forth by our friends at Team Impact. . . . with a little poetic license for added effect taken by yours truly.    

Subject: Team IMPACT: Sean Thompson & Holy Cross Football!

17 October 2012

Good Morning! 

A Message from HC Hall of Fame Football Coach Mark Duffner

Dear Crusader Football Family,  

It just came to my attention that the 1987 Undefeated Crusader Football Team  is going to be honored at this weekends’  Homecoming game with Dartmouth. Fantastic! 

The coaching staff and myself were extremely fortunate and priviledged to have the opportunity to work with and be associated with such an outstanding group of young men who distinguished themselves and the College, the way they conducted themselves on and off the field. 

Their records, energy, efforts and attitudes were remarkable. What a story of accomplishment- I'm  very proud of these men-I love them and wish that I could be there in person to hug and salute them on this day of appropriate recognition. Congratulations to the  "Beasts of the East ! “  

I am also very pleased that Jeff Wiley’ name was added to the Ring of Honor-Jeff was a confident,competitive and smart playmaker-just what you wanted on your team as a quarterback and leader. Jeff also had some” magic” in his play. 

Thanks so much for all this attention to some very-very special men! 

Go CRUSADERS!   

Sincerely, 

Mark Duffner

 

Mark Duffner | Linebackers Coach Jacksonville Jaguars, LLC One EverBank Field Drive | Jacksonville, FL 32202duffnerm@nfl.jaguars.com

THANK YOU!!

Fellow Crusaders, 

You do not need me to tell you that the two most powerful words in the English language are "Thank You". On that note, I want to express my sincere  gratitude to a number of people, including: 

Radio Promo for August 30th Night Game

In an attempt to create a real home field advantage for the Crusaders when they take on UNH "under the lights" on August 30th, the following radio promo will be running extensively throughout central MA...Go Cross GO...LET'S WIN!! Like the HCGLC on Facebook. Props to HC Marketing for producing and sharing this ad. Props to the Tech unit within the HCGLC for their assistance as well.

Catching Up with Jeff Wiley '89

On August 30th, Jeff Wiley will be inducted as a member of the 3rd class of the Holy Cross Ring of Honor. Prior to kickoff that evening Jeff's name along with Pat McCarthy '63 and Ron Cahill '40 will be publicly and permanently displayed next to the other members of the Ring of Honor. 

Jeff very graciously recently responded to questions about his time atop Mt. St. James both on and off the field and the impact his college career had on his professional life.

Gameday Details, Promotional Video, and More

Fellow Crusaders, 

We are a little more than 3 weeks away from the kickoff to the 2012 Crusader Football season. I have heard from many who will be coming from near and far to enjoy the company of Purple brethren and the excitement of Holy Cross Crusader Football. Get your tickets and recruit friends and neighbors for what will be a spectacular evening.

I hope the following Gameday details will help make the entire experience that much more pleasurable:

1. Ring of Honor reception in Hogan by invitation: 4:30-6pm

Given the noise level experienced last year, the remarks for the RoH will be held inside at Hogan. There are space constraints but if anybody would like to be invited to hear the remarks from honorees Jeff Wiley '89, Pat McCarthy '63, and a representative for Ron Cahill '40, please write to me directly at this e-mail address (lwdoyle128@aol.com). 

2. Pre-game Tailgate and Post-Game Victory Celebration: 

2012 Holy Cross Crusader Football Video Promo

The 2012 Holy Cross Crusader Football season kicks off in less than 4 weeks. Please make plans NOW to join us "under the lights" on August 30th as our Crusaders kick off the season against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. Recruit friends, family, neighbors, classmates, and teammates to attend as well. 


In a fabulous initiative to partner with the City of Worcester, Holy Cross has launched a Worcester Children's Ticket Fund. Please buy a ticket --- or as many tickets as you prefer --- and help us Fill Fitton Field while also providing real inspiration to Worcester's youth. 

"You Can Do Anything You Want"

Yesterday was a very exciting day for those who care about our Alma Mater, Holy Cross Football, and our fellow man. 

The press conference held at the South Worcester Neighborhood Center to publicly announce the launch of the special HC Football ticket programs targeted at Worcester residents and especially Worcester's youth was simply spectacular. This outreach is truly an extension of other measures and efforts the college has made both recently and over the years. 

    

Less Than 6 Weeks...Coach Gilmore-National Championship

Fellow Crusaders, 

Now that I have your attention . . . there is NO doubt that Coach Gilmore, staff, and team have worked VERY hard from the day Tom arrived in Worcester back in January 2004 to this very day to bring a national championship to Mount Saint James. With the 2012 season set to kick off 6 weeks (that's it...a mere 6 weeks) from yesterday, it is time to FOCUS.  

Boston College vs Holy Cross at Fenway Park 1916

A friend of mine attended a recent Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The picture below of the BC-HC game from 1916 was highlighted on the Jumbo-tron. The following description was provided:   

On a Saturday that Bostonians celebrated Thanksgiving, the fans of Boston College were justified in feeling Christmas may have come early.

Of the memorable game, Boston Globe sportswriter Lawrence J. Sweeney wrote:

"For 17 long years, Boston College had awaited the day when her football team should triumph over its time-honored rival from Worcester and yesterday at Fenway Park, as the shadows of eventide crept over the gridiron, her fondest hopes were realized" (Boston Sunday Globe, December 3, 1916) 

A crowd of 8,000 that included Mayor James M. Curley and Cardinal William O'Connell attended the historic game.

62 Days/Operation Touchdown

Fellow 'Saders, 

I hope this message finds everybody doing well and getting ready to enjoy the upcoming 4th of July celebration. While that great day is on the immediate horizon, there is plenty going on behind the scenes to make the upcoming Crusader Football season and the opening kickoff under the lights against UNH a rousing success. What is going on? 

1. In the message sent out ten days ago I touched upon an initiative to reach out to the local Worcester community and create a real sense of partnership. Purely for marketing purposes among the faithful on this distribution I designated this partnership program Operation Touchdown. Well, MAJOR KUDOS to the college administration and Dick Regan for taking the kickoff to this operation and putting some major points on the board. How so? Check this out. 

As part of the overall 2012 Ticket Sales for Holy Cross Football, the college has taken the definition of partnership to an entirely new level,

71 Days/HCGLC Operations

Fellow 'saders, 

I hope and trust this message finds all the members of The Grand and Loyal Purple Brotherhood doing just fine. With the kickoff to the 2012 HC Football season a mere 71 days away I can only assume that all the brothers and sisters on this distribution are actively engaged in the requisite training for the 2012 edition of Crusader Football. 

On that note, what is going on with the HCGLC? I am glad you asked. 

We are actively involved in a number of operations to fulfill the mission of the HCGLC: "committed to excellence in helping Holy Cross Football win on and off the field."

I.   Operation Fill Fitton Field ...self-explanatory...

II.  Operation Team Impact ...a fabulous partnership with an organization doing special things... 

III. Operation Touchdown ...a further extension of the partnering initiatives ongoing between the City of Worcester and Holy Cross...  

Let's go....

2012 Ring of Honor Inductees

A fabulous day was had by one and all yesterday at Blackstone National Golf Club. THE MAN upstairs graced us with a perfect day and the Purple Brotherhood made the most of it. 

The young guns of Dominic Randolph, Brett McDermott, Tommy Fleming, and Taylor Glor finished in first place in a match of cards with a stellar score of 62. 

Particular thanks go to all those who played and/or sponsored the outing. Special thanks to Mark Cannon '77, Craig Cerretani '79, and Dan Walsh (an honorary Crusader) of Team Impact for their elevated level of support. 

We had John Provost, Gordie Lockbaum, and Joe Wilson, three current members of the Ring of Honor amidst our troops. 

We also announced the 2012 Class to be inducted to the Ring of Honor on the evening of August 30th when the Cross plays UNH. I am pleased to inform the faithful here of the following inductees (a formal press release will go out early next week): 

UPDATE: Look Who's Playing Golf on June 1st

Major props to Dominic Randolph and John Provost for putting out the call and rounding up some of their boys (some young guns and some not so young guns) to come out and join The  Purple Brotherhood on June 1st. 

Also high five to Kevin Connolly and John Carr for getting involved. We have 70 golfers on board currently and we are looking to close strong over the next ten days so we have a fabulous outing on June 1st. 

For those who can not be with us in person (or you don't golf) please show your Purple blood by sponsoring a hole. (Details below) We have ten holes looking for sponsors!! HELP here is deeply appreciated.  (Call LuAnn Hennessy at 508-793-2584) 

Look Who's Playing Golf on June 1st

Fellow Crusaders, 

On June 1st at 9am would you rather be sitting at your desk wondering why you did not sign up to play in the HC Football Golf Outing. . . OR....

Hanging with a whole bunch of your favorite Purple brethren at BlackStone National. 

I mean...come on...do I even need to ask that question? 

We have 60 players already signed up but looking for another 40 so we have a quorum so get INVOLVED!! 

If you cannot be with us in person, join us in spirit by sponsoring a hole or another item (details below)!!

Revised price points for younger grads...see details below...

Contact LuAnn Hennessy to get IN THE GAME!!....

LHENNESSY@holycross.edu

Look who's already signed up to be playing golf on June 1st ...

Winning Off the Field

Holy Cross Gridiron Leadership Council Mission: committed to excellence in helping Holy Cross Football win on and off the field.  

How do we define "winning off the field"? Well, let's look at a few Crusaders who were recently profiled in some widely distributed periodicals. We relish in their success but more so in the manner in which they carry themselves.    

1. To know this Crusader is to love him. . . he was recently interviewed in the Boston Business Journal. When asked whether he had a motto, this most loyal Crusader said, 

"The more you do for others, the better you do for yourself. I pretty much stole that from St. Ignatius of Loyola." 

Lessons Learned from the Playing Field

To know him is to love him. . .
All you need to know about this most loyal Crusader can be summed up in his answer to this question:
Do you have a motto?
"The more you do for others, the better you do for yourself. I pretty much stole that from St. Ignatius of Loyola. The crazy thing is if you get up in the morning and do well for others, abundance shows up somehow."
Playing Field

Crusader Football Family

Fellow 'saders,

1. Recap of Spring Game/Alumni Game/Barbecue

Springtime is not only a time of rebirth but a time for reunions. Our fabulous extended Crusader Football Family kicked off a busy 6 week period this past weekend with a great gathering at the annual spring game/alumni game/barbecue. To all who attended I know you share my sentiments as to how exciting it was to see our 2012 contingent flying around Fitton Field. It was a great day to reconnect with old friends, including Scottie Persechino '84, make new friends, such as Bill Cambria, and see true Crusader diehards, Rick Cohn and Mike Guilfoile. . .amongst a very large crowd of loyal and faithful fans and family. Welcome to all the incoming Crusader freshman and families who came from far and wide.

Springtime in Worcester

Fellow Crusaders,

I hope and trust that this message finds you all doing well. There are a number of items to address so let's dispense with the formalities.

1. Spring Football Game/Post Game Barbecue : two weeks from this Saturday on April 14th. Always a great take and a chance to see the up and coming stars wearing purple. Please RSVP to LuAnn Hennessy in the Football office if you plan on attending the reception and if you want to get involved in sponsorship opportunities. Thanks in advance and see you there!! For those serving as mentors, come see your scholar-athlete both on and off the field.

LHENNESSY@holycross.edu

2. Alumni Game: who's still got it? who still thinks they got it but never really had it? and who will be the biggest and baddest talker on and off the field? Who has already signed up to play? Profuse thanks to Dan Adams '07 for leading the charge in this effort. Still looking for more warriors. Look at the QB at the bottom of the list who just inked a contract to play for the alums. That's what we're talking about.

1975 Holy Cross - Colgate Football Program

Holy Cross - Colgate 1975 Football Program



A fabulous look back at some young studs who graced Fitton Field back in 1975!! Enjoy!!

Holy Cross Football Annual Golf Outing June 1 Blackstone NGC

Our annual Holy Cross Football Golf Outing is three months away.

Blackstone National Golf Club

Friday June 1st
9am shotgun
8am bloodys

Lunch, Awards, Revelry

Great way to start the reunion weekend for those in classes '87, '92, 97, '02, '07!!

We are looking to form a Golf Committee of 50 people. Those on the committee will commit to supporting the outing and recruiting 1 friend to join the festivities as well. Let's put 100 players on the course this year!!!

Please leave your name on this blog so we can track who is on the committee!!

Let's WIN!!!

LD

Battle of the Ages---2012 Alumni Game!!

Fellow Alums,

I hope everyone is having a great week and I wanted to quickly send out a quick email for the Alumni Game/Spring Weekend coming up on April 14, 2012.

I know we are 6-7 weeks away, however, I wanted to ensure that everyone marks off their calendar so we can properly defend our Alumni Game title.

I would be willing to help in anyway I can, arranging travel or answering questions that may come up. There will be discounted rates on April 14th at the LaQuinta Inn in Auburn for those coming in from out of town! In the meantime, I wanted to send you a link from last year's alumni game and some tools to use if you are planning to get back in shape in 2012.

Getting Back In Shape For 2012 

HCGLC: From Community to Culture

Dear Crusaders, 

I hope this message finds you doing well. In a prior communication I touched upon the fact that two and a half years after the launch of the Holy Cross Gridiron Leadership Council in the fall of 2009, I see our collective efforts transitioning from merely building 'community' to establishing 'culture'. 

A community is a group that has shared interest. A culture is much more than that. A group that has a set of shared values, beliefs, and programs to promote them....that is culture!! That is what I see developing in and around the HCGLC as we work to fulfill our mission, stated as "committed to excellence in helping Holy Cross Football win on and off the field".    

Without readdressing our existing programs (Ring of Honor, Lifetime Achievement Awards, receptions, Career Nights, and more), I welcome sharing with you some new developments and programs that go straight to culture. What are they? 

Book Review: Fraternity, Ultimately a Love Story

From my blog, Sense on Cents,

In the process of navigating our economic landscape, we are perpetually encountering risks. These risks not only present themselves from the standpoint of the market and the economy but also on a much larger scale from a social, political, and personal perspective as well.

How do we learn to manage risks going forward? We are compelled to study and appreciate the lessons from the past.

To do just that, I strongly encourage people to read a recently published book which takes us back to the volatile days of the late 1960s. This literary masterpiece very personally details how a group of young African American students and the Jesuit mentor who recruited them to college took very real risks. What was the result of managing these great risks?

A foundation for long term and very real rewards. This fascinating book is Fraternity by Diane Brady. 

Save the Dates....and MUCH MORE!!

Fellow Crusaders, 

Happy New Year!! I hope you and your families had a beautiful Christmas season and that all good things lie ahead for you in 2012. Included in those good things we certainly expect there to be a healthy dose of Purple Passion and Pride!!  

With 2011 now in the rear view mirror, the HCGLC has a strong 2-plus years of foundation under our belt.  

In 2012 we look forward to further pursuing our mission, ("commitment to excellence in helping Holy Cross Football win on and off the field"). As we do so, we look to build upon the success of the HCGLC to date and transition our efforts "From Community to Culture". More on this later and throughout the year.