Former Holy Cross Basketball Player Togo Palazzi Proud Of Team Making NCAA Tournament
BOSTON (CBS) -- Dressed in his lucky purple, Togo Palazzi coached the Holy Cross Crusaders from his living room.
"We really got a tough assignment tonight," he says, referring to the Crusaders' opening-round opponent, Oregon, in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, Oregon defeated Holy Cross 91-52 on Friday night.
He knows more than a play or two.
"They called us the Mt. Rushmore of Holy Cross basketball," he recalled.
Palazzi was part of the last Holy Cross team to make it past the NCAA preliminary round, which happened in 1953.
"It's a great feeling," he told WBZ. "I'd love to have the chance to play tonight."
Togo played for the Celtics, coached the Crusaders' women's basketball team, and served as an assistant coach for the men's team. He remains active with the school and the sport.
He knows all the players, and attends practices and games.
"This is something they'll remember for as long as they live this basketball season," he said, adding how proud of them he was.