What Is 2015 Holy Cross Crusaders football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross in the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 6–6 record under head coach Tom Gilmore. They competed in the Patriot League and played home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Key Facts

The 2015 Holy Cross Crusaders finished the season with a 6–6 overall record
Head coach Tom Gilmore led the team during his 11th season at Holy Cross
The Crusaders played their home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, MA
They were members of the Patriot League in the 2015 season
Holy Cross went 4–2 in conference play, placing second in the Patriot League

Overview

The 2015 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross during the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as a member of the Patriot League, the team was led by head coach Tom Gilmore in his 11th year at the helm.

The Crusaders played their home games at Fitton Field, a historic on-campus stadium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Despite a .500 overall record, the team showed strong conference performance and remained competitive throughout the season.

Overall record: The team finished the season with a 6–6 win-loss tally, marking a balanced campaign across all matchups.
Conference affiliation: Holy Cross competed in the Patriot League, one of the NCAA’s competitive FCS conferences with strict academic standards.
Head coach: Tom Gilmore served as head coach, bringing over a decade of leadership experience to the Crusaders' program.
Home stadium: Fitton Field, with a capacity of approximately 23,000, has been the team’s home since 1908 and is one of the oldest college football venues.
Season outcome: The Crusaders posted a 4–2 record in Patriot League play, finishing second in the conference standings.

How It Works

The structure of college football programs like Holy Cross involves recruiting, scheduling, conference play, and potential postseason eligibility. The 2015 season followed this standard NCAA FCS model.

Division: The Crusaders compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA, which includes a 24-team playoff.
Conference Play: Patriot League games are central to the schedule, with league standings determining postseason eligibility and championship contenders.
Schedule Length: The 2015 team played 12 regular-season games, meeting both conference and non-conference opponents across the East Coast.
Recruiting: Holy Cross emphasizes academic and athletic balance, recruiting student-athletes who meet rigorous academic standards.
Coaching Structure: Tom Gilmore oversaw a staff of assistant coaches responsible for offense, defense, and special teams coordination.
Postseason Eligibility: With a 6–6 record, the Crusaders were not bowl-eligible, as FCS teams require a winning record for playoff consideration.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2015 Holy Cross Crusaders to other Patriot League teams in key performance metrics:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Postseason Result
Lehigh	6–5	5–1	Andy Coen	Lost FCS Playoffs First Round
Colgate	6–5	5–1	Dan Hunt	Lost FCS Playoffs First Round
Holy Cross	6–6	4–2	Tom Gilmore	No Postseason
Lafayette	4–7	2–4	Frank Tavani	No Postseason
Bucknell	3–8	2–4	Joe Susan	No Postseason

The 2015 season highlighted Holy Cross’s competitiveness within the Patriot League, though they narrowly missed the conference title and playoff berth. Lehigh and Colgate secured playoff spots with stronger conference records, while Holy Cross’s 4–2 mark was one of the better performances among non-playoff teams. The program remained a consistent mid-tier contender in the league, reflecting steady development under long-term coaching leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was significant for maintaining Holy Cross’s reputation as a competitive FCS program with strong academic-athletic balance. Though not a championship year, it demonstrated resilience and depth.

Academic Excellence: Holy Cross athletes consistently rank among the highest in GPA within the Patriot League, emphasizing student-athlete development.
Conference Stability: The team’s 4–2 conference record reinforced its role as a consistent contender in the Patriot League.
Player Development: Several 2015 players went on to receive All-Patriot League honors in subsequent seasons.
Recruiting Impact: Competitive seasons like 2015 help attract high-caliber recruits interested in both athletics and academics.
Historical Context: The Crusaders have a long football tradition, and each season contributes to the program’s legacy since 1891.
Community Engagement: Home games at Fitton Field continue to draw strong local support, strengthening town-gown relations.

In summary, the 2015 Holy Cross Crusaders season was a solid chapter in the program’s ongoing story. While it did not culminate in a playoff appearance, it showcased the team’s ability to compete at a high level within a rigorous conference, setting the stage for future success.