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'I think it’s a really special event,' Excitement high as Holy Cross prepares to host Harvard at Polar Park

jennifer toland, worcester telegram & gazette
·4 min read
Polar Park grounds crew member Josh Fleming does his part to hold down a large stencil as field superintendent Elliot Linstrum paints the Holy Cross logo on center field as the stadium gets ready Wednesday as Holy Cross hosts Harvard on Saturday, in the third EBW Classic.
Polar Park grounds crew member Josh Fleming does his part to hold down a large stencil as field superintendent Elliot Linstrum paints the Holy Cross logo on center field as the stadium gets ready Wednesday as Holy Cross hosts Harvard on Saturday, in the third EBW Classic.

WORCESTER — On Monday, Holy Cross players and coaches joined Worcester Red Sox players and front office staff to spread joy in the city with visits to Veterans Inc., and the UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center.

It was a great way for the Crusaders to kickoff “Polar Park Week,” and to continue their partnership with the WooSox.

“I think it’s great,” Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney said. “I think those are two important initiatives to be involved with, and I like that the WooSox partnered with us. That’s important. Any time you can partner with a professional team, it’s great.”

The WooSox welcome Holy Cross back to their home park at 5 p.m. Saturday for the third annual EBW Football Classic. The No. 5/6 Crusaders take on No. 24 Harvard. Gates open at 3.

“I think it’s a really special event to allow the city of Worcester to come out and celebrate with us,” HC junior safety Curtis Harris-Lopez said, “and to be able to play the game we love on a baseball field, that’s not something you see all the time. I think it’s very special.”

Rain forced HC’s usual Friday afternoon walkthrough at Polar Park indoors ― defense and special teams in the DCU Club and offense on the concourse — but the Crusaders enjoyed being back nonetheless.

More: 'It will be a giant test': Holy Cross braces to face Harvard Saturday at Polar Park

“It’s still a good chance for the kids to be over here and get a little more acclimated before we got out there and play,” Chesney said.

Holy Cross (3-1) had great success the last two seasons at Polar Park, defeating Patriot League foes Colgate and Bucknell by a combined 99-10 margin. Harvard (2-0) should present a much tougher challenge.

“It’s exciting,” HC fifth-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs said. “It’s a fun tradition we’ve had the last couple years. We all come to (WooSox) games in the summer, and to be able to play a football game here in this environment is really fun.”

Harvard football’s last experience playing on a baseball diamond was a 45-27 victory over Yale at Fenway Park in 2018.

The transformation of the baseball diamond to football gridiron at Polar Park began right after the WooSox played their final home game of 2023. By Friday, the field, as usual, looked great, with goal posts up, yard markers painted and “Holy Cross” and “Crusaders” stenciled in the end zones, and the HC shield at midfield.

Tarp covered the “infield” as a steady rain fell Friday afternoon.

“This is definitely the coolest stadium I’ve ever played in,” HC freshman safety Stu Smith said. “The whole team is excited. The atmosphere is going to be a lot different, so with that energy around us, it’s going to be playing a big factor for us (Saturday).”

Like in past years, the teams will be on the same sideline during the game.

More: 'He’s an NFL receiver': Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker continues to thrive with big catches

“That makes it a little bit interesting,” Chesney said, “but I like the way we worked with the referees two years ago and found a way to make it a little bit easier for substitutions and things of that nature. Substitutions and vantage point are the two big things. We do have the ability to set up a temporary team area on the far sideline directly across from the play, so when they sub, we can sub from there. For some of the vantage points, you trust you have good eyes up in the box.”

The game is a “home” game for the Crusaders even though they board buses on campus and make the 2-mile trip downtown.

“We’re used to the process,” HC senior running back Jordan Forrest said. “Coming here on Friday is always helpful to getting accustomed to (Polar Park). I think all of us are in a routine now.”

HC beat the Crimson, 30-21, last season for its first victory at Harvard Stadium since 2000. The Crusaders last beat Harvard in back-to-back years in 1991-92, to cap a seven-season winning streak over the Crimson.

The EBW Classic is named for the late Edward Bennett Williams, a prominent Holy Cross alumnus and mentor to Worcester Red Sox chairman and principal owner Larry Lucchino.

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTolandTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Holy Cross puts finishing touches on preparation to host Harvard at Polar Park