To rapturous applause from a sold-out Hart Center, four all-time Crusader basketball greats were honored at the halftime ceremony of the Nov. 16 men’s basketball game, where Holy Cross overtook St. Joseph’s 73-69 in overtime victory.
George Kaftan ’49, Bob Cousy ’50, Togo Palazzi ’54, and Tom Heinsohn ’56 witnessed their jerseys being lifted to the Hart Center rafters — the first time Holy Cross has held such a ceremony for any former student-athlete.
The former Crusader standouts are the only four basketball players in school history to twice earn first team All-America honors. In addition, each of the four played on a Holy Cross national championship team — Kaftan and Cousy were part of the 1947 NCAA Championship, while Palazzi and Heinsohn were members of the 1954 NIT Champions.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The Boston Globe (Nov. 16, 2008)
Holy Cross honors some of its classiest
Telegram & Gazette (Nov. 16, 2008)
Holy Cross honors four basketball greats
Telegram & Gazette (Nov. 17, 2008)
Crusaders soar on banner day
Pictured: Bob Cousy ’50, George Kaftan ’49 and Holy Cross athletic director Richard M. Regan, Jr.
Related Information: