Dear Crusaders,
This past weekend was a powerful reminder of what it truly means to be a Crusader.
The momentum kicked off Friday evening as our football program hosted its annual Spring Showcase, welcoming the community for the first look at the 2026 Crusaders along with a high-energy Skills Fest. That electricity carried straight into Saturday, fueling an action-packed slate of events across Worcester.
We had the chance to make history and honor a Crusader legend, Genoa Grosch Dickson '99, who became the first softball player in school history to have her jersey retired. The sight of returning Crusaders was a powerful tribute to a legendary career, and proof that the connections made at Holy Cross deepen long after our students cross the Commencement stage.
We celebrated senior days, records fell at our only home track meet of the year, and our baseball, softball, rowing and lacrosse teams all displayed incredible grit. One particular highlight: I had a spot on the sidelines to witness our women's lacrosse team upset No. 17 Loyola — the first time the program has beaten a ranked opponent, and only the second-ever Patriot League loss by the Greyhounds.
All the while, several of our teams participated in Working For Worcester's annual Build Day, spending time in the community and cleaning up local schools and parks. And many also spent time perfecting their presentations for the College's Academic Conference taking place on Wednesday, April 22, with 70 student-athletes displaying their knowledge of chemistry, political science, biology, history, psychology and more.
This weekend was the perfect blend of community, history, celebration and achievement — yet it is only a small snapshot of our accomplishments since I last wrote in January. You can read more about those achievements in the notes below.
As we head into the final weeks of the regular season, postseason play, and the approach of Commencement, there is so much more to celebrate. I hope to see you at an upcoming event — either on campus or in your hometown at one of our upcoming Coaches Road Shows.
Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to connecting with you all soon as we continue this work together!
Go Cross Go!
Kit Hughes
Feel free to reach out — any time — with your thoughts, questions or concerns on our "Be Heard" page!
Three Things To Know
- We're hitting the road again for our fourth annual Coaches Roadshow, with stops in Chicago (May 13), New York City (May 20) and Boston (May 28)! Each Roadshow stop will feature a panel of Holy Cross head coaches sharing program updates and insights. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with our coaches, fellow alumni, and Crusader fans — all while showing off your Purple pride!
- Looking to attend a Holy Cross football game with your team, friends or organization this fall? Place your deposit today to guarantee a group experience at Fitton Field this fall! Group experiences include opportunities such as the Pre-Game Fan Tunnel and a Halftime Scrimmage or Performance — learn more now!
- You can continue to support our student-athletes through our Mount St. James Collective, which empowers Holy Cross student-athletes to maximize their brand value and visibility.
COUSY COURT DEDICATION
Bob Cousy '50 returned to The Hill on Feb. 7 for the dedication of the Bob Cousy '50 Court at the Hart Center Arena. A generous gift made in Cousy's honor cements the legacy of one of the most influential figures in basketball history — not only for his on-court contributions, but also for his civil rights advocacy and his charity work in Central Massachusetts and beyond. The 2,917 fans on hand saw the men's basketball program upend eventual Patriot League Tournament Champion Lehigh, 76-67.
POWER OF PURPLE GIVING DAY
This year, more than 3,456 donors came together during the 2026 Power of Purple Giving Day to raise $1.12 million for Holy Cross Athletics through the Crusader Athletics Fund. Men's ice hockey had the highest percentage of alumni participation at 26 percent, and women's lacrosse came in second, with alumnae participation at 25 percent. Men's rowing totaled the highest number of unique, individual donors, and men's and women's tennis both had 100 percent parent participation. Holy Cross also achieved 100% participation from senior student-athletes by the end of the Power of Purple Giving Day, marking the fourth consecutive year reaching this important milestone.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WINS THIRD PATRIOT LEAGUE TITLE IN FOUR SEASONS
Women's basketball won its third Patriot League Championship in the last four seasons after defeating Lehigh, 77-70, in the Patriot League Championship Game. With the win, Holy Cross improved to 23-9 overall — its fourth 20-win season in the last five years — and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, with a nationally televised first-round matchup at Michigan.
Senior Kaitlyn Flanagan was named the Patriot League Tournament Most Valuable Player as the Crusaders won their 14th overall championship, adding to their Patriot League-leading total. Senior forward Meg Cahalan earned a first team All-Patriot League selection, while Flanagan was named to the second team and junior guard Kendall Eddy rounded out the trio on the all-defensive team. Flanagan and Cahalan both additionally earned Academic All-Patriot League honors.
HERZIG WINS BRONZE MEDAL
Women's ice hockey freshman forward Naemi Herzig won an Olympic bronze medal as a member of Switzerland's women's ice hockey team. Herzig and Switzerland defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime in the bronze medal game on Feb. 19. She becomes just the third Olympic medalist in Holy Cross history, while being the first-ever female medalist and first-ever winter medalist.
WOMEN'S HOCKEY WRAPS UP HISTORIC SEASON WITH SEMIFINAL APPEARANCE
Women's ice hockey wrapped up its most successful season since moving into Hockey East with an overall record of 19-13-3. The Crusaders totaled a program-record 37 points in Hockey East play to claim fourth place in the conference regular season standings. They went on to defeat New Hampshire 5-4 at the Hart Center in the Hockey East quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals for the first time ever.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE UPSETS #17 LOYOLA
Women's lacrosse knocked off No. 17 Loyola 14-9 on April 18, good for the first win over a ranked opponent in program history. The Crusaders defeated the Greyhounds for the first time, in addition to handing Loyola just its second loss in 101 all-time Patriot League regular season games.
LACHAPELLE BRINGS HOME MULTIPLE COACHING HONORS
After leading the Crusaders to their historic season, head women's ice hockey coach Katie Lachapelle received a number of honors. She was selected as the Hockey East Coach of the Year and the New England Hockey Writers Coach of the Year, in addition to being one of seven finalists for the American Hockey Coaches Association National Coach of the Year award.
SWIMMING & DIVING BREAKS 19 RECORDS AT PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
The men's and women's swimming and diving teams combined to break 19 all-time program records during the Patriot League Championship from Feb. 18-21. The Crusaders were led by senior
Jack Greiner, who totaled a team-high 78 individual points and became the first All-Patriot League selection in the history of the men's program. In addition, the seventh place finish by the men's squad was its best since the conference expanded to 10 schools. Greiner also earned Academic All-League honors.
MEN'S GOLF SHINES AT UC SAN DIEGO INVITATIONAL
The men's golf team turned in an outstanding performance in the UC San Diego Invitational at the Torrey Pines North Course from March 22-24, finishing in eighth place against an extremely strong field. On day two of the tournament, the Crusaders posted a team total of 276 (12-under par), the lowest team round on record in program history.
WOMEN'S TENNIS UPSETS LAFAYETTE TO EARN FIRST TOURNAMENT WIN SINCE 2016
The Holy Cross women's tennis program rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Lafayette in the Patriot League Championship First Round on Thursday, April 16. Down 3-1 in the match, senior Maddie Hamm earned a big win at No. 4 singles. Freshman Phoebe Devine rallied at No. 1 singles after falling 6-7 in her first set. She responded with 6-4, 6-2 to knot the score. Senior Ashley Zilora brought home the victory at No. 5 singles 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 for the victory.
BASEBALL'S EGRIE SETS PROGRAM RECORD
Senior CJ Egrie of the Holy Cross baseball team established the program record in stolen bases on March 21 at Lehigh with his 64th stolen base. Egrie currently has 88 career stolen bases and ranks first during the 2026 season in the NCAA in stolen bases per game (1.09) and second in stolen bases (36). On April 21 at Dartmouth, he broke his own single-season stolen base record. Egrie (123 runs scored) is closing in on the program's career runs scored record (135 - Matt Perry, 2007-10 and Alex Maldonado, 2010-13) as the Crusaders (16-24, 10-10 PL) are in fourth place in the Patriot League standings.
CALLERY MAKES MEN'S TENNIS PROGRAM HISTORY
Junior Teddy Callery of the Holy Cross men's tennis team set the program mark for single-season doubles wins (13) during a 6-1 Crusader win at Assumption on March 25, 2026. The Crusaders head to Bethlehem, Pa. this weekend, for the Patriot League Championship from April 23-26.
ROURKE NAMED HOCKEY EAST ACADEMIC CHAMPION
Women's ice hockey junior forward Lulu Rourke was named the 2026 Hockey East Academic Champion. She became the first Crusader to win the award, which was created in 2024 to honor outstanding accomplishments both on the ice and in the classroom.
BEBAN NAMED AN ARTHUR ASHE JR. SPORTS SCHOLAR OF THE YEAR FINALIST
Men's soccer senior defender
Julian Beban was named one of 10 finalists for the 2026 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year award. He is third Crusader in the last four years to be among the top 10 candidates for the award, joining Taj Salawu (men's soccer) in 2023 and
Ginger Berry (women's rowing / swimming and diving) in 2025.
TRACK AND FIELD SHINES AT PATRIOT LEAGUE INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Junior Joseph Mahon was named the top point scorer at the Patriot League Indoor Track & Field Championship on Feb. 28 and March 1, totaling 18 points for the weekend. He became the first Crusader in school history to win the gold in the 3,000m at the event, doing so with a time of 8:06.74; he also earned a silver medal in the 5,000m, finishing the event in 14:05.24 to notch his spot on the podium. Senior Liam Lyons earned a silver medal in the mile with a time of 4:05.96, and also helped fellow senior Jack Noble, junior Thomas Speltz, and freshman Willem Martino set a new school record and take the bronze in the DMR, clocking in a time of 9:51.12.
On the women's side, senior Celia Kulis earned a pair of bronze medals in the pentathlon (3,526) and 60m hurdles (8.52), while junior Bridget Sachs picked up a bronze in the pole vault after clearing 3.80m.
Mahon, Lyons and Kulis all earned Academic All-Patriot League accolades.
MEN'S HOCKEY CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY OF 2006 CHAMPIONSHIP
Men's ice hockey celebrated the 20th anniversary of their 2006 Atlantic Hockey Tournament championship during their series against RIT on Saturday, Feb. 28. Nearly the entire roster returned to the Hart Center Rink to watch the current Crusaders defeat the Tigers, 3-2.
MACK OLIPHANT EARNS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Senior defenseman Mack Oliphant earned the Atlantic Hockey Sportsmanship Award following the regular season. Oliphant, who skated in all 38 games for the Crusaders this season, ranked fourth in the nation with an average of 26 minutes of play a game, recording 17 points on a career-high 5 goals and 12 assists. An alternate captain and All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team Selection this season, Oliphant was called for just four penalties for eight minutes in 34 regular season games.
GENOA GROSCH JERSEY RETIREMENT
This weekend saw the Crusaders honor softball icon and Holy Cross Athletics Hall of Famer Genoa Grosch Dickson '99, who became the first player in program history to have her jersey retired. Grosch Dickson was honored prior to the start of game one of Saturday's doubleheader against Lafayette, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and having her No. 11 jersey unveiled in right-center field. Grosch Dickson graduated with numerous program records, including top single-season marks for strikeouts, wins, ERA, starts, complete games, and shutouts. She also set several career program records, for strikeouts, starts, complete games, shutouts, ERA, where she holds the top position by more than a full run, and wins, where she still has 16 more than second place.
COSENZA HIRED AS FIELD HOCKEY HEAD COACH
Kim Cosenza was named the next head coach of the field hockey program on Feb. 2. A Worcester native, Cosenza joins the Crusaders after five seasons at nearby Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she led the team to New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament appearances in every season, including the program's first NEWMAC Championship appearance in 2025.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 25 | Baseball vs. Lehigh - Senior Day, Alumni Day & 150th Anniversary Celebration
Registration
April 25 | Men's Soccer Alumni Day
Registration
April 25 | Women's Soccer Alumnae Day
Registration
April 26 | Women's Lacrosse Quarterfinals at Bucknell | 1 p.m.
May 2 | Softball vs. Army - Senior Day
May 2 | Tennis Alumni Day
Registration
May 4 | 2026 Crusader Awards
Watch Live on YouTube at 8 p.m.!
May 7 | Coffee with the Crusaders
May 13 | Coaches Roadshow - Chicago
Registration
May 20 | Coaches Roadshow - New York City
Registration
May 28 | Coaches Roadshow - Boston
Registration
June 6 | Coaches Home Show
Schedule
June 8 | Football Golf Outing
Registration
Aug. 29 | Football Season Opener vs. Lehigh
Season Ticket Deposits
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