The Spire

Viveca Stucke ‘26

Chief Features Editor

1. What are some of the primary goals that Athletics is focusing on this semester and academic year?

This should be an action-packed semester for Crusader Athletics. We are excited for our nationally broadcast (CBS Sports) basketball doubleheader against BU on Feb. 2, as well as our 125th anniversary of men’s basketball and court dedication on Feb. 7 for the legendary Bob Cousy ‘50. As always, we are focused on enhancing our culture of comprehensive excellence and supporting our student-athletes to achieve in the classroom, competition and the external community. I am hopeful that there will be many big wins along the way as our winter and spring sports compete for championships, but enhancing the overall culture of togetherness, achievement and wellness within the department is a key goal of ours moving forward. 

2. What steps is your department taking to promote student athlete well-being both on and off the field? 

The safety and well-being of our student-athletes is paramount to the work we do within athletics, and we are fortunate to be supported by many critical resources both on campus and beyond. Continuing to enhance our partnership with CAPS and the office of Health & Wellness are important to this work, as is the continued support from the Class Deans and Academic Services & Learning Resources (ASLR). Supporting students as more than just athletes is a priority for our head coaches, and I am proud of the work they do behind the scenes to ensure that their athletes are seen and cared for at a high level regardless of outcomes or their role on their team. We will continue to explore resources that can positively impact our students’ well being, as this is an evolving area requiring constant support and attention. 

3. What upcoming games, initiatives, or events should students be on the lookout for this upcoming semester?

Certainly the two events listed above (nationally televised basketball doubleheader, Feb. 2, and Cousy Court dedication, Feb. 7), but we will have many opportunities for students to support their classmates throughout the spring semester, whether it be at the pool, rink, gym, lake, track,  or fields. I ask all students to follow us on social media and online, as well as to stay engaged through IGNITE for any upcoming events and special promotions or celebrations. We want to make our athletic events attractive and meaningful for our entire campus community, and my team and I are hard at work to create special moments around our contests that serve to bring our community closer together. Additionally, ice hockey’s Naemi Herzig will represent Switzerland at the XXV Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from Feb. 6-22. She will be the Crusaders’ first-ever female Olympian and first-ever Winter Olympian. In addition, she will be the first Crusader since 1924 to compete in the Olympics while still enrolled at Holy Cross. I hope our community will tune in and support Naemi and all Olympians on the world stage!

4. In what ways has the Athletics Department evolved in recent years, and what progress are you most proud of?

The world of college athletics is constantly changing, so the word “evolution” is the right one with regard to the work we do. We have been able to enhance the support we provide student-athletes in the form of nutrition education, leadership development, NIL opportunities and health & wellness, and those are the areas that impact the daily experience of our students of which I am most proud. We have also enhanced our broadcasting program to further showcase Holy Cross on a national or even international level, and that is something that has an impact on all of us at the College. Sharing our stories and increasing brand awareness of Holy Cross across a diverse population is something that can help the College attract talented students whether they are athletes or not. The quality of our broadcasts, or web and social media content, are areas we have focused on improving and seen much success over the past several years. Lastly, our ability to create special experiences for students such as our football game at Fenway Park, hosting playoff or sold-out championship games, or even just through our 90-Wide mentoring program are all opportunities that we work hard to maximize and have seen much growth and success in recent history. 

5. What are some accomplishments from last semester that your department is most proud of?

Where do I start!?! The cumulative GPA for the fall 2025 semester was 3.39 for all student-athletes, and every one of our teams achieved an overall GPA of at least 3.0 for the third consecutive semester. That is something we are incredibly proud of! Additionally, Women’s Soccer hosted a home Patriot League tournament game for the first time ever, Men’s Rowing won the Collegiate 8+ at the Head of the Charles, Volleyball had their most wins since 2016, Women’s Tennis had a student-athlete win a main-draw match at the 2025 ITA New England Regional for the first time ever, Men’s Soccer had the Patriot League “Rookie of the Year,” we hosted 14,000 Fenway Park (highest FCS football attendance ever at Fenway!) including over 2,000 students, Women’s Hockey reached their highest win total in the Hockey East era (with 5 weeks to go!), our “Field Trip” game for women’s basketball welcomed over 3,000 Worcester City Schools students, and we had student-athletes participate in international competitions in field hockey and men’s and women’s ice hockey over the month of December. We also saw strong growth in our overall win percentage as a department as compared to fall 2024, and that is something we hope to continue through the end of the academic year. Lastly, our work in the community continues to be a key priority for all of our teams, and the level of engagement supporting the city of Worcester and beyond is something we are all incredibly proud of! Even with all of these highlights, there remains much work to be done. My team and I are excited to attack spring 2026, and truly believe that the best is yet to come for Holy Cross and Crusader Athletics. Go Cross Go!

Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics