University of Massachusets Athletics

Reece Adkins And Timmy Hinspeter Named UMass Football’s 2026 Boland Award Winners
April 25, 2026 | Football
Annual award given to those who embody Boland’s integrity, toughness and character traits.
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts football program named tight end Reece Adkins and Timmy Hinspeter as the 2025-26 Michael Boland Inspirational Award recipients.
The award is presented annually to one defensive and one offensive player who reflects Boland's characteristics, including his hard-working attitude, determination, integrity and commitment to UMass football.
Boland was a four-year letterwinner for Massachusetts on the offensive line (2013, 2015-17). He appeared in 43 career games and made 36 starts, with 32 of those as the team's right guard. He passed away suddenly at home in Maryland on February 4, 2017, while preparing for the NFL Draft.
Adkins returns for his second season with the Minutemen in 2026. After transferring in for the 2025 season, he battled through injury to play in eight games while totaling nine receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown. He recorded a career-high 54 reception yards at Kent State (10/11) and recorded his first collegiate touchdown against Bowling Green (11/25).
Hinspeter appeared in seven games for the Minutemen last season before a season-ending injury. He totaled 69 tackles, registering 20 solo and 49 assisted, and had four tackles for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. A Rutgers transfer, Hinspeter posted a career-high 17 total tackles at Missouri (9/27) and had his first career interception.
Michael Boland Inspirational Award Winners
- 2016-17: Adam Breneman, Steve Casali
- 2017-18: Andy Isabella, Joe Previte
- 2018-19: Bryton Barr, Ross Comis
- 2019-20: Billy Wooden
- 2020-21: Cletus Mathurin, Max Longman
- 2022-23: Marcus Bradley, Cole Garcia
- 2023-24: Josh Atwood, Te'Rai Powell
- 2024-25: Tyler Martin, Ryan Mosesso
- 2025-26: Reece Adkins, Timmy Hinspeter
-- UMassAthletics.com --



















