Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/292926
Crusader Nation Spring 2014 » 7 What are Holy Cross' strengths when it comes to balancing excellence in scholarship and athletics? We're uniquely positioned because of the large number of varsity athletes among our student population. Where I came from, the University of Maryland, there are 500 student- athletes on a campus of 26,000, a very small percentage, whereas at Holy Cross, 25 percent of the student population are varsity athletes. You have a connectedness with peers and with other student-athletes that sometimes you miss on a larger campus. That's a unique asset: We really do have a family atmosphere. Football has restored scholarships. What are the benefits? Scholarships level the playing field. Looking at [the NCAA's football Championship Subdivision] our competition, not only in the Patriot League but across the country, is offering scholarships. We've always offered some form of aid — it has been financial aid and need-based — but now transferring it over into scholarships makes what we're offering on the recruiting trail look very similar to what other institutions are offering. Then you're weighing the institutions against each other, and I feel we have an advantage because of the Holy Cross reputation. It's very important that we level the playing field and that, because the Patriot League and our peer institutions have gone to scholarships for student-athletes, we do the same. Offering scholarships lets prospective student- athletes choose the institution rather than just the offer. Do you see any conflict between athletics scholarships and academic excellence? A commitment to academic excellence is part of being a Holy Cross student-athlete. That's the way we're going to run our program. If you are competing as a varsity student-athlete at Holy Cross, you are going to be academically committed. We are going to make sure that, as an institution, we are helping student-athletes be successful. What is Holy Cross' place in the cosmos of college athletics? Where do you see Holy Cross finding its niche? We participate in the Patriot League, and so my focus is ensuring that we are an elite institution within the Patriot League. Where that positions us for future expansion or change, we'll see as it comes because this is an ever-changing landscape. First and foremost, we need to be an elite team in our league. The win over Boston College in men's ice hockey [Nov. 29] showed we can compete and knock off the big boys. We can compete at that level — I have no doubt about it. To your question about national prominence: As we win the Patriot League in women's soccer, in women's basketball, we're competing in the NCAA tournament in these sports, and once you're in one or two games, you can get on a run, and at that time of the year, a hot team [can] triumph. We've got some opportunities to do some damage, win the Patriot League and make a run in the NCAA tournament. Can you tell us about upgrades planned for the Hart Center and other athletics facilities at Holy Cross? I cannot speak to the exact plans but I promise you this is one of my top priorities — to understand exactly where we are in the planning, make sure that it's right-sized for exactly what we need. I have a lot of experience in building athletics facilities at different institutions, so I want to make sure we're on point. What does the reinstatement of the Holy Cross/ Boston College football rivalry mean for the College, our student-athletes, alumni and fans? The renewal of the Holy Cross/Boston College rivalry is very good for the College on many fronts. As a regional game, it will be easy for many of our students, alumni and fans to attend and cheer on our guys. The exposure that comes with playing a BCS opponent of that caliber is also a plus for us in recruiting top tier student-athletes into our football program. The exposure is also an important benefit for the College and for our Athletics department in terms of branding and marketing. Across the board I think these games make a lot of sense for both schools and I commend Dick Regan for working to put this together for Holy Cross. " There's great opportunity here, and a willing alumni and parent base that we need to engage and cultivate. " 25% 98% One quarter of the Holy Cross student body competes in 27 varsity sports. With a 98 percent Graduation Success Rate for student-athletes, Holy Cross is among the most successful programs in NCAA Division I.