Adam Peloquin , who in 2019 succeeded the legendary Brien Cullen as just the second head coach in Worcester State football history, stepped down from the position Thursday to pursue an opportunity outside of the university. Zach Besaw , an assistant under Peloquin the last four years, will serve as the Lancers’ interim coach for the 2024 season.
Besaw, a Central Mass. native and Worcester State alumnus like Peloquin, grew up in Shrewsbury and played for one season at Worcester State under Cullen. He later served as a student video coordinator and student assistant and eventually cornerbacks and defensive backs coach.
Besaw was on the WPI staff from 2016-19 before returning to Worcester State.
Peloquin, who grew up in Spencer and starred at David Prouty, will remain with the Lancers until Aug. 16, when the team reports for training camp. Worcester State opens the season Sept. 6 against WPI.
“We are prepared,” Besaw said. “Our guys have been preparing the right way for the season. When we get into camp, we’ll make sure we have everything ready to go the way we want it to.”
After Cullen, who coached the Lancers for 37 years, retired in November 2019, Worcester State immediately named Peloquin, who was a star WSU offensive lineman and spent five seasons as one of Cullen’s assistants and interim head coach.
COVID canceled the 2020 season, and Worcester State removed the interim tag from Peloquin’s title after the 2021 season.
“There have only been two head coaches previously in the program,” Besaw said. “I have so much respect for both of those men.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Besaw said, “and I’m looking forward to working with our players and coaches to make this season a success.”
The Lancers went 5-25 in Peloquin’s tenure.
“I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches as we worked to rebuild the Worcester State football program,” Peloquin said. “I’d like to thank (athletic director) Michael Mudd for the opportunity to lead this team. I wish them nothing but the best going forward.”
Worcester State will conduct a national search for its next coach this fall.
“I’d like to thank Adam for his hard work as the head football coach and as an administrator within our athletic department,” Mudd said. “I am very appreciative of Zach Besaw stepping up to take over the reins as head coach this season. Zach has been a loyal and hard-working member of our coaching staff for quite some time and I am confident that he will provide a strong continuity within our football program and provide the best experience for our student-athletes.”
Holy Cross rewards Riga with extension
In Bill Riga’s three seasons as Holy Cross men’s hockey coach, he has guided the Crusaders to an increased win total each year, an Atlantic Hockey Tournament final berth and, last season, an AHA semifinal appearance.
Holy Cross rewarded Riga, who grew up in Westborough, for his efforts and the program’s continued improvements with a restructured contract that will keep Riga at HC until 2029.
“Crusader men’s ice hockey has experienced unprecedented growth under Bill’s leadership,” Holy Cross vice president for intercollegiate athletics Kit Hughes said, “and I am thrilled to announce this new deal to keep the Riga family home here at Holy Cross. Bill’s sense of urgency and attention to detail are just two of the many qualities that have greatly benefited our program these last three years, and I am excited to support him as we continue to pursue our highest, championship tradition here at the college.”
Last season’s 21 wins were HC’s most since 2005-06.
In 2022-23, the Crusaders made it to the AHA tourney championship game for the first time in 17 years.
“Our work here does not change,” Riga said. “We continue to push forward for comprehensive excellence in all areas each day, every day, and I am excited to do it here with our talented student-athletes and my incredible staff.”
This summer, Holy Cross promoted Castan Sommer , the former Shrewsbury High and HC star, to associate head coach. Sommer enters his fourth year on the HC staff.
Prior to Holy Cross, Riga spent 13 seasons on the staff at Quinnipiac.
The Crusaders will face Riga’s old team this season at the DCU Center. HC and Quinnipiac, the 2023 national champion, will face off at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
“This game will be an incredible opportunity for the Greater Worcester community to come out and see some of the best that collegiate ice hockey has to offer,” Hughes said.
Holy Cross men’s hockey is 3-3 all time at the DCU Center. The Crusaders last played there Oct. 9, 2021, against Boston College.
General public ticket sales for the Quinnipiac-Holy Cross game go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 15 and are available at the DCU Center Box Office and online at ticketmaster.com.
HC men's hoop opens at home vs. Mitchell
The Holy Cross men’s basketball team will open the 2024-25 season Nov. 4 at Wisconsin. The game against the Badgers is one of 13 nonconference matchups for the Crusaders this season.
Holy Cross, under second-year coach Dave Paulsen , will play four straight games in Rhode Island, with a Nov. 11 game at URI and a multi-team event Nov. 15-17 at Brown University in Providence. HC will face Sacred Heart, Brown and New Hampshire.
The Crusaders play their home opener against Mitchell College Nov. 20 at the Hart Center. Other home nonleague games include Harvard (Dec. 4), Central Connecticut (Dec. 7) and Regis (Dec. 29).
HC travels to Maine (Nov. 24), Virginia (Nov. 29), Quinnipiac (Dec. 17) and Siena (Dec. 20).
The nonconference schedule for the Holy Cross women’s basketball team, as well as the Patriot League slates for both teams, will be announced in the coming weeks.
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: College notes: Worcester State names Zach Besaw interim football coach; Holy Cross extends Riga
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