Crusader Nation

4 Crusader Nation • Fall 2014 top tier of Division I football — has contributed to a feeling of eager anticipation among the Fitton faithful. So too have the reintroduc- tion of football scholarships, a new TV package that will double the number of Crusader games aired in Worcester, and the arrival of a talented young quarter- back, Peter Pujals '17, Patriot League Rookie of the Year as a true freshman last fall. "This is an exciting time for athletics at Holy Cross and for football in particu- lar," says Tom Patton '86, a second-team All-American defensive end for the Cru- saders who has been a gen- erous supporter of the team as an alumnus. "Holy Cross is not that far away from a winning season — and then winning a championship," he predicts. Coming off a tough 2013 season (1-4 Patriot League, 3-9 overall), Holy Cross has a young team that is rebuilding and optimistic about its future. Gilmore, entering his 11th season as head coach of the Crusaders, likes their chances. "I like the attitude, I like the work ethic, and I really believe we're rebuilding the program in the right way," Gilmore said. "We're going to see really good results in the long run." The reintroduction of football scholarships by the Patriot League — in which Holy Cross competes against Bucknell, Fordham, Lehigh, Lafayette, Colgate and Georgetown — is a significant factor in the Crusaders' grid renaissance. "Holy Cross' trajectory has changed with the addition of scholarships," says Chuck Burton, who covers Patriot League football for the on- line College Sports Journal. "I can see how Holy Cross fans are excited about the recruiting class coming in. They got some big names. Holy Cross is in the mix for players they weren't before." Recruits to watch in the incoming freshman class, according to Rivals.com, include linebacker Nick McBeath (Columbus High/ Miami, Fla.), quarterback James McHale (Fordham Prep/Bronx, N.Y.) and corner- back Alim Muhammad (Mary Institute/St. Louis, Mo.). Holy Cross, with other Patriot League members, is entering year two of a four-year rollout that will bring the school to 60 football scholarships. "We'll be at 30 scholarships, next year we'll be up to 45, and the year after, up to 60," said Nathan Pine, Holy Cross' athletics director. Ramping up to 60 full scholarships over the four years enables Patriot League schools like Holy Cross, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Football Championship Subdivision (once known as Div. 1-AA), to schedule games against teams in the NCAA's top-lev- el Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Div. 1), like Boston College and the University of Connecticut. When an FBS team like BC or UConn is being consid- ered for bowl games, the level of competition comes into consideration. At 60 scholarships, Holy Cross be- comes an opponent an FBS team will schedule, because a game against the Crusad- ers will count toward bowl eligibility. For HC, this opportunity to play top-flight teams is a spur to get better fast — to compete against the best while building spirit on campus and in the com- munity, and gaining national exposure for the Holy Cross name. "If you're going to field a football team, you should play to compete and to win," said Patton. "If you're building a program to compete at a high level, you're setting a schedule to compete against and beat teams like UConn and Bos- ton College." Scholarships at the same time enable Holy Cross to attract outstanding student-athletes who might not otherwise have chosen — or been able "Holy Cross' trajectory has changed with the addition of scholarships," Chuck Burton,College Sports Journal. "I really believe we're rebuilding the program in the right way."

• Cover