You won’t want to miss it when Holy Cross squares off with Patriot League rivals Fordham. The Crusaders and Rams have been battling it out on the gridiron since 1902, and the winner takes home the Ram-Crusader Cup as well as bragging rights making every matchup between these two a must-see event.

Boston College

Rival Team: Boston College Eagles

The rivalry between Holy Cross and Boston College has been dormant since 1986, but the two Massachusetts-based rivals will renew their rivalry in 2018. The two schools have met 82 times over the years, and there is a lot of bad blood and bragging rights between these two, so make sure to be in attendance when the Holy Cross-Boston College rivalry is revived.

Holy Cross Crusaders Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Holy Cross is home to a relaxed tailgating atmosphere that is a pleasant way to kick things off before heading into Fritton Field. Crusaders fans, for the most part, are very friendly and happy to talk about football and the team making newcomers feel welcome here in Worcester. You’ll also find lots of fans willing to share food and drinks as long as you bring something to share.

Those of you who take your tailgating seriously won’t want to miss the opportunity to be named the “Tailgater of the Game.” During the tailgate, the Holy Cross street team goes around judging tailgates giving an excellent opportunity to win some cool prizes like Holy Cross gear or tickets to future games.

Finally, if you have the opportunity get a spot in the Premier Lot. The Premier Lot is located in the baseball stadium, and it’s a unique experience to say you’ve tailgated on a baseball field where Hall of Famer Ted Williams homered.

Tailgating is a fun part of a Crusaders game day, so arrive early and enjoy the festivities outside Fritton Field.

Traditions

Tailgater of the Game

Don’t miss your chance to be named the “Tailgater of the Game.” Iggy and the Holy Cross street team go around looking for the best tailgate before the game, so bring your A game and take home some cool prizes.

Where to tailgate

Premier Lot

If you’ve ever wanted to tailgate on a baseball field where Ted Williams homered, then the Premier Lot is the place for you. The Premier Lot is located on the baseball field at Fritton Field and opens three hours before kickoff.

Purple Lot

Located on Freshman Field, the Purple Lot is an excellent place to tailgate for those of you who don’t have a parking permit. Tailgating here cost only $10 making ith quite the bargain.

Easy Access Lot

The Easy Access Lot opens three hours before kickoff for tailgating. However, you aren’t allowed to grill here. If you want to tailgate without grilling though, the Easy Access Lot is an excellent tailgating option.

Holy Cross Crusaders Stadium Guide

In Game

You won’t mistake a Holy Cross game for a Pats game, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have an excellent time cheering on the Crusaders to victory. Fitton Field is one of the oldest stadiums in the FCS, which gives it a unique charm as you can feel a sense of history here that isn’t present at other stadiums. You can even view several retired numbers hanging above the visitors’ bleachers giving you the chance to learn more about Holy Cross’s past success on the gridiron.

The fans are also a big part of attending a Holy Cross game as they are friendly and knowledgeable about their team. If you want to learn more about the Crusaders, just start up a conversation since most fans will be more than happy to talk about their team.

Finally, make sure to enjoy the performances of the Good Time Marching Band before, during, and after the game. The band has been a part of Crusaders football games for over 100 years, and as a result, their performance has become a staple of the games.

You’ll have a good time attending a Holy Cross game, so come on out and support the Crusaders this season.

Things to check out

Retired Numbers

The retired numbers are located over the visitors’ bleachers and honor some of the greatest players in Holy Cross football history. The Crusaders have a rich football history and even went to the 1946 Orange Bowl, so take a moment to check out the retired numbers before the game.

Goodtime Marching Band

The Goodtime Marching Band has been entertaining crowd at Fritton Field since 1910 and are a big part of the Holy Cross game day experience. The band puts on an excellent pregame, halftime, and postgame show, so don’t leave your seat when you see them take the field.

Crusader Mascot

Don’t miss the Crusader mascot at the game. The mascot performs all kinds of antics and is a fun part of the game, especially for kids, so keep an eye out for him during your trip to Worcester.

Cheerleaders

The Holy Cross cheerleaders pump up the crowd with their cheers and chants throughout the game, making them a can’t-miss part of any game. Join in the cheers and give the Crusaders as much of a home field advantage as possible.

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