Biography

Whalen was one of the most versatile coaches in Holy Cross history and he was also a member of the baseball and basketball teams as a student. He is remembered most notably for his 27 years as the head coach of the Holy Cross baseball program from 1971-1992 and 1994-1998. He accumulated a record of 343-463-8. The most successful season was in 1978 when the Crusaders finished 27-14-2 and competed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 seasons. 

Whalen came to Mount St. James after an oustanding athletic career at South High School in Worcester. In baseball, he anchored the infield for legendary Crusader skipper Jack Barry, and also captained the squad that defeated the Boston Braves. He was also a supporting member of the great Holy Cross basketball teams that featured the names Cousy, Kaftan, Mullaney and Curran. Coached by Doggie Julian, he would eventually lend his experience to Buster Sheary as an assistant.

In addition, Whalen was also an assistant football coach from 1969-1979 working underneath Bill Whitton, Ed Doherty and Neil Wheelwright.