Holy Cross vs. Jesuit Rivalry

Reverend Douglas M. Busch, a 1975 graduate of Holy Cross and 1979 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, served 23 years in the United States Army. He retired in 2002 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Airborne-Ranger-qualified Armored Cavalry officer. He commanded at multiple levels in the United States and Germany and received numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit and the Saint George Medallion (Gold). Father Doug was also a member of the Army Football team. A husband, father of three Army veterans, and grandfather, he entered the priesthood after experiencing profound personal loss and reflecting deeply on God’s presence during more than five years and a million miles of long-haul trucking across North America.

Ordained June 1, 2019 from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, Fr. Doug began his priestly ministry at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mandeville, Louisiana, becoming pastor in 2021. His military leadership, life experiences, and faith have shaped a pastoral ministry centered on strengthening marriages, families, and the parish community. He has championed ACTS retreats, family faith formation, intentional discipleship, strategic planning, and lay leadership, seeking to build a vibrant Catholic culture rooted in personal encounters with Jesus Christ.

For Bobby Wattigny, 1967 was a pinnacle season. After serving as the backup quarterback to Butch Duhe, Wattigny helped to lead the Tigers to a spectacular season. As a three-year senior letterman and Co-Captain, Wattigny led the 5-AAA “Catholic League District” in passing, earned the Outstanding Back Award, and was also selected as an All-State back. Wattigny, along with fellow Co-Captain teammate and All-State lineman, Tom Besselman, helped to lead the Crossmen to the winningest season in Holy Cross football history, achieving 13 victories.

Bobby Wattigny continued his football career with two-year stints at both the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches.

Roman Landry, the son of Brandi and Jerome Landry and a senior defensive lineman, has been named the 2026 Great American Rivalry Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. With an outstanding 4.71 GPA, Roman is an AP Scholar with Honors and a recipient of the Donald Palmer Scholarship Award. Roman is also a member of the National Honor Society, a finalist in the 2026 Literary Rally, a Holy Cross Student Ambassador since 2024, a member of the Concordia Ensemble, and currently serves on the 2026 Holy Cross Student Council.

In addition to his academic and athletic commitments, Roman volunteers with Ferncrest Manor Nursing Home, is a member of the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Youth Organization, and is a Peer Tutor and Varsity Football Mentor. Roman exemplifies academic achievements and has been recognized as the recipient of the Holy Cross Tiger Award and the Holy Cross Matthais Award.

Holy Cross senior Talon Meyers has been named the 2026 Great American Rivalry Series Community Service Award Recipient. He is the son of Jessica and Royce Meyers and is a wide receiver and Captain for the Holy Cross Tigers. With a 4.50 GPA, Talon is an exemplary leader in the classroom and on the field. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a Holy Cross Student Ambassador, and has maintained his high honor roll status throughout his high school career.

Talon also serves as a leader in the St. Christopher Catholic Youth Organization. Through his service and leadership, he helped to raise more than $54,000 for the Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries Program. Among his service to the community, Talon also coaches baseball at Cleary Playground and volunteers with Second Harvest Food Bank and the Salvation Army.