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....

I. Operation Fill Fitton Field 

With an attendance of app. 16k for last year's opening kickoff vs UMass, we remain committed to selling out Fitton Field for this year's opening game under the lights vs the Wildcats of UNH. Please visit Fill Fitton Field (major high five and thanks to Brendan Devlin '01 for launching and managing this site) and sign the Guestbook. 

Share the site and guestbook with your friends, teammates, and classmates so they can do the same. This simple effort will motivate more of our troops to join in on the Thursday evening prior to Labor Day at the hallowed ground at the base of campus, aka Fitton Field.   

Who has already committed to being at Fitton Field on the evening of August 30th and what do they have to say? (Do not respond here. Go to the site and add your name and message.)  

 Brian Cashman '77 said:   June 10th, 2012 9:46 pm

Throwing out a challenge to the Great Class of '77 to set "the record" for returning classmates to Fitton Field! Hoya!

Bobby Riether '01 said:   June 6th, 2012 4:14 pm

I'll be there! GO HOLY CROSS! FILL FITTON FIELD!

LD '83 said:   June 3rd, 2012 7:36 pm

Looking forward to seeing the Crusaders kick off the season under the lights vs the Wildcats with a HUGE win. Let's FILL FITTON FIELD!!

BDD '01 said:   June 3rd, 2012 6:51 pm

I'll be there! Looking forward to a great game! Let's go Saders!!! Who else is coming?   

Tim Walsh '15 said:   June 11th, 2012 12:42 pm

Definitely will be at this game.

Ray Scully ' 78 said:   June 11th, 2012 8:00 am

Absolutely will attend. Looking forward to a great season of HC fball.

Steve "Gerald" Hiorns 1980 said:   June 11th, 2012 7:25 am

Thursday night of Labor Day weekend. What a great way to start Autumn than with a pounding of UNH! Be there!

Craig Cerretani '79 said:   June 11th, 2012 7:10 am

Looking forward to the 2nd Edition of night football at Fitton. Our men fought gallantly last year against U-Mass. Let's see if we can draw even more for the UNH game! See you all soon. Craig Cerretani, '79

Bill '48 and Helene Doyle said:   June 10th, 2012 10:52 pm

Of course we will be there- wouldn't miss it!g

Sean Egan '01 said:   June 19th, 2012 7:18 pm

Can't wait for the big game! Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Chuck Doyle '86 said:   June 16th, 2012 5:41 pm

We are rounding up large crews from NH & CT , looking forward to another great night game at Fitton!

Paul Toulouse P '14 said:   June 12th, 2012 9:30 am

Old guys from DC with local friends and family will be there

Jack Flaherty '74 said:   June 11th, 2012 11:16 pm

Rounding up a very large contingent from class of '74 to make the trip and watch us deliver a solid thrashing to UNH

Joe Dapper said:   June 11th, 2012 4:02 pm

Last year was a great nite! Will be there again this year with a large contingent! As Bart Scott said:"CAN'T WAIT!"

II. Operation Team Impact  

Thanks to the joint efforts of Holy Cross' own Chuck Doyle '86 and Dan Walsh (newly inducted 

member of the HCGLC and a true Crusader despite his being a graduate of Tufts)of Team Impact,

we are thrilled by what we know will be a very special partnership between HC Football and this

organization. What does Team Impact do? From its own site we learn: 

>Throughout the northeast (New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), Team Impact enhances the lives of children facing life-threatening diseases by matching them with college athletic teams.

>Through a structured 'matching methodology' we establish and cultivate these relationships to ensure a successful experience and that meaningful bonds are formed. 

>The result is an extended support network from which the child can derive more laughter, strength and support.

>For each and every member of the participating athletic team, the experience provides inspiration and perspective.

>We actively identify appropriate children through our network of medical ambassadors who are affiliated with pediatric medical facilities throughout the New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. 

>We establish and actively cultivate relationships with college athletic teams through our network of athletic and on-campus ambassadors at universities throughout the northeast.

Team Impact is already connected with other teams at Holy Cross. Thank you Chuck, Dan, and Coach Gilmore for the inspiration and motivation in forming a partnership between this fabulous organization and the Crusader football program. Knowing that an individual, a family, and so many more will be profoundly and positively impacted by this effort is truly awesome. Well done gentlemen!! 

III. Operation Touchdown

Fr. Boroughs recently wrote of the extensive partnership and growing relationship between the college and the city of Worcester. 

Clearly Holy Cross has a major impact on the life of many of its neighbors throughout the city. Ed Augustus, the college's Director of Government and Community Relations has had a profoundly positive influence in driving the initiatives highlighted by Fr. Boroughs. 

Fr. Boroughs, Ed Augustus, and everybody else on campus and in the city involved in furthering these partnering initiatives deserve major credit.  

In an attempt to extend the growing sense of partnership between the college and the city, I am pleased to highlight what the HCGLC designates as Operation Touchdown. In this program we will look to be a catalyst in utilizing HC Football as a vehicle to draw the city and college even closer together. How so? Working in conjunction with city officials and the college, we will look to attract more people from the city to HC Football games. 

We thank Ed Augustus, those within the HC Athletics Office, and others on campus for their leadership in spearheading this program. We thank those in the city in advance for their willingness to engage in making this effort wildly successful.   

On the flip side of the partnership coin, we will also work at having HC Football serve to even more positively influence the youth of Worcester via a number of programs (reading, leadership, and guidance). 

The response from those within the city council and the mayor's office to this operation has been nothing short of outstanding. This operation is the ultimate "win-win". 

I would go so far as to say that this operation is NOT consistent with the mission of the HCGLC BUT rather IS OUR MISSION. 

We will keep you apprised as Operation Touchdown develops. 

In conclusion, please sign the Fill Fitton Field Guestbook highlighted above and share this overall message with neighbors, friends, high school coaches, and others so more people know just how special Holy Cross Football and the Holy Cross Football Family truly are.  

I know we have no interest in losing. . . so do not neglect your roadwork nor your situps and . . . 

LET'S WIN!!!

LD '83

Chair/HCGLC