Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14
Kuzniewski Field
1 College St.
Worcester, MA 01610
Year Opened: 2009
Capacity: 1,000
Holy La-Crosse
Kuzniewski Field opened in 2009 as the new, synthetic turf field to be used by the Holy Cross men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. It is also used by the Crusaders football team as their primary practice facility. The field was officially dedicated in 2016 in honor of Rev. Anthony Kuzniewski, S.J., who has served as the chaplain for the athletics department since the mid-1990s.
The first lacrosse team at Holy Cross competed in 1958. For much of the team’s history they have struggled, posting only 14 winning seasons over their 63 years of competition. Holy Cross has won less than a third of their games all-time. The Crusaders have been a member of the Patriot League since its inception in 1991 and have yet to win a conference title. The Crusaders have yet to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
Food & Beverage 0
There are no concessions available at Kuzniewski Field. Most fans bring their own drinks and snacks to Crusader lacrosse games. Veteran Crusader fans will come to games well-stocked with food and drink to enjoy in the parking lots before or after the game. You’re very likely to see lots of hot beverages at Kuzniewski Field, particularly during the frigid early months of the season.
There are vending machines in the Hart Center should you come unprepared and want to take the long walk to get a drink or snack.
Atmosphere 2
Stadium Journey visited Holy Cross on an absolutely frigid early March afternoon when the wind chill reached a chilly 15 degrees. Perhaps it was the weather, or a 17-4 drubbing by Army, that contributed to the game day atmosphere being less than it could have been, but overall, this is a fairly subdued atmosphere, particularly when compared to some of the other colleges in the area.
There’s a simple scoreboard in the southeast end zone that displays basic game information. The sound system is decent, but hardly overwhelming. The PA announcer doesn’t add a ton of energy to the proceedings. Again, that might be because he didn’t have a lot to cheer for on this particular afternoon, but it’s unlikely the acoustics of the system would allow for an over-the-top delivery anyway.
The fans are supportive and enthusiastic and make themselves heard throughout the game. There is plenty of room all around the facility for younger fans to run around and blow off some steam, and you will see lots of games of catch going on over on the adjacent field. This is a pleasant and comfortable place to take in some quality lacrosse.
Neighborhood 3
Worcester is the second largest city in all of New England but has never enjoyed much of a reputation as a destination location. That all began to change when the city announced that the Pawtucket Red Sox would be moving to the brand-new Polar Park, located just 2.5 miles from the Holy Cross campus.
The Holy Cross campus is located in southwestern Worcester about three miles from downtown. There isn’t much in the immediate area of campus in terms of dining or lodging options, but the city of Worcester contains many excellent options.
Worcester’s acclaimed “Restaurant Row” on Shrewsbury Street is home to over forty different eateries, shops and salons. It’s a favorite destination for locals looking to enjoy a night on the town. Fans will find additional options in the downtown area around the DCU Center. The up-and-coming Canal District, anchored by the new Polar Park, is rapidly growing and worth a look. Likewise, fans looking for lodging options should head downtown, as there is nothing around Holy Cross.
Traditionally overshadowed by its neighbors in Boston and Providence, Worcester is carving out its own niche as an affordable, attractive alternative to those cities. For fans visiting during ski season, Wachusett Mountain is located just ten miles outside of city limits.
Fans 2
Holy Cross doesn’t draw as well as the bigger-name Division One programs across the country. This isn’t really surprising when you consider the lack of success that the Crusaders have had over the years, and the fact that much of the lacrosse season takes place when the weather in Worcester is less than ideal.
Crowds at Kuzniewski Field generally run between 250-500 fans. Crowd size depends on several factors, including the day of the week of the game, the opponent, and the weather. As you would expect, crowd size increases over the course of the season as the weather warms.
Lacrosse fans as a whole are loud and supportive of the home team, and the regulars here at Holy Cross are no different. With the bulk of the Crusaders’ schedule consisting of local teams, you’re likely to see a good turnout by visiting fans as well.
Access 3
The Holy Cross campus is located in southwestern Worcester, at the junction of Interstate 290 and Route 146. Kuzniewski Field is located at the southern edge of campus atop Mount Saint James, behind the Luth Complex (home of the Crusaders basketball and hockey venues) and adjacent to many of the school’s athletic facilities. Complete driving directions to the Holy Cross campus can be found here.
Parking is available in the lots surrounding the Luth Complex and on the access road that circles the facility. Rest rooms are located inside the Hart Center as well. There are no concessions or restroom facilities outside at Kuzniewski Field.
Kuzniewski Field is somewhat isolated from the other athletic facilities at Holy Cross. To get to the field, fans will need to park near the Luth Center and walk through (or around) the Hart Center and the Hart Track and Field Center to get to the lacrosse venue. Once there, there’s a bluff overlooking the northwest end zone that provides excellent views of the field, and a set of bleachers along the southwest side of the field. There is plenty of standing room around the field, and the bleachers are fully accessible for those with mobility concerns.
Return on Investment 5
There is no charge for admission to Holy Cross lacrosse games. Parking is also free in the lots surrounding the Luth Center. With no concessions available, you won’t need to reach for your wallet even once when visiting Worcester.
Extras 0
There’s not much going on at a Crusaders lacrosse game that can be considered extra. The experience here is a pretty bare bones one.
Final Thoughts
Kuzniewski Field is a basic facility where you can catch some quality lacrosse without spending a ton of money.
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