Analyzing Bucknell’s EBW Classic Selection
The Bison may not be an ideal opponent for Holy Cross’ ballpark showcase, but they have intrigue nonetheless
On Friday, Holy Cross announced their opponent and date for its second annual EBW Classic at sparkling Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox. The Bucknell Bison will stampede into the ballpark on October 8.
Before the announcement, I speculated who the opponent would be. I thought Yale or Fordham were the most likely Polar Park opponents. In fact, Bucknell and Bryant were who I least expected to play in the classic.
Bucknell's lack of series history and low attendance last year were the main factors in that prediction as Bucknell and Holy Cross have only 38 meetings all-time with all but two coming before 1986. Although travel is a small aspect in fan turnout for this game, Bucknell does not even draw well at home.
Last season, only 864 hardy souls watched the 1-9 Bison host the two-time defending Patriot League champions. None of this really has marquee game written on it like the Holy Cross-Colgate matchup in last year's EBW Classic.
The Crusaders' athletic department could spin this game as a marquee game given it was the matchup for the 2021 Spring Patriot League Football Championship Game.
However, this still pales in comparison to the luster and tradition a Yale-Holy Cross game at the ballpark may have brought. Had they scheduled Yale for the Classic, there may have been an outside chance that CBS Sports Network would pick up the game as it did with the 2021 conference title game.
However, this game marks a return to the ballpark after scores away, as it did for Colgate. The EBW Classic was Colgate's first ballpark game since a 1964 matchup against the Merchant Marine Academy at Shea Stadium. Bucknell's last ballpark game was a 1957 matchup against Carnegie Tech at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field.
All in all, the Patriot League may have its non-Lafayette/Lehigh showcase game as the EBW Classic looks like it is here to stay. While Bucknell may not be the ideal opponent for the second rendition of this game, it is still a watermark historical moment for the Bison and a huge moment for the Crusaders.
As usual with these type of articles, Mark Pollak’s splendid book, “The Playing Grounds of College Football: A Comprehensive Directory 1869 to Today” was integral in my research of Bucknell ballpark games. You can buy it here.