College of the Holy Cross Athletics

Holy Cross competes in NCAA Division I, meaning big-time college sports with athletic scholarships and serious competition. With 697 total athletes out of 3,015 students, about 23% of the campus participates in varsity sports. The Crusaders play in the Patriot League, a respected conference known for combining academic excellence with competitive athletics. Holy Cross has a historic rivalry with Colgate University that dates back decades. The school is particularly famous for basketball, having produced NBA legends like Bob Cousy and reaching the NCAA Tournament's top Eight as recently as the 1980s. The basketball program remains a source of campus pride and alumni engagement. With $13.8 million in athletic scholarships distributed across 23 varsity sports, Holy Cross demonstrates serious commitment to Division I competition while maintaining its academic standards.