University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Athletics Reveals 2026 Hall Of Fame Class
July 15, 2026 | Baseball, Football, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Basketball, Women's Lacrosse, Athletics Department
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Athletics has announced Greg Cannella (Men's Lacrosse 1986-87, 1992-2025), Thomas Carmean (Men's Lacrosse, 1985-87), Katie Ferris (Women's Lacrosse, 2011-14) and Bill Knight (Baseball, 1992-95) will be inducted into the George "Trigger" Burke Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026.
During the enshrinement ceremony, Massachusetts Athletics will also bestow three special recognition awards: the Martin Jacobson '68 Distinguished Alumni Award, the John Francis Kennedy '76G Maroon Leadership Award and the Elaine Sortino Alumna Award for Achievement. Frank '81 and Peter '82 DiTommaso will receive the 2026 Jacobson Award, Jim Reid will receive the Kennedy Award and Dr. Kathy Coyner '01, '23G will receive the Sortino Award.
The UMass Athletics George "Trigger" Burke Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, September 18 at 6 p.m. in the Campus Center Auditorium. Please register online at www.umassalumni.com/hof2026.
Questions regarding the event can be addressed to Director of UMass Athletic Events & Fan Engagement Jason Germain at jag@umass.edu.
Greg Cannella • Men's Lacrosse • 1985-87, 1992-2025
A fixture on the UMass men's lacrosse sidelines for more than three decades, Greg Cannella totaled 256 career wins in 31 seasons at the helm and led the Minutemen to nine NCAA tournament berths, a 2006 NCAA championship game appearance and captured eight conference championships.
Following the team's run to the 2006 NCAA Division I championship game, the first such appearance by a team from New England, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association named Cannella the USILA National Coach of the Year. He also guided UMass to the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking and finished his distinguished career with a 256-181 overall record (.586).
Cannella earned CAA Coach of the Year honors in 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019, was recognized as New England Coach of the Year five times and collected four ECAC Coach of the Year awards. Before his retirement, he held the distinction as the longest-tenured head coach across all NCAA Division I men's and women's lacrosse.
Cannella's teams produced three Tewaaraton Award finalists, 52 USILA All-America selections, 123 All-New England picks, 118 all-conference honorees and 11 positional league Players of the Year award winners. Under Cannella, the program also totaled 15 Academic All-Americans, 78 New England Scholar-Athletes and 40 academic all-conference selections.
Cannella took the reins of the UMass lacrosse program in November 1994 with a deep appreciation for its storied tradition. A two-time letterwinner at UMass, Cannella also served two seasons as an assistant coach for Ted Garber before being promoted to lead the program. Cannella earned a bachelor's degree in physical education while playing at UMass from 1986–87. A two-year starter and member of two NCAA Tournament teams, he finished his career with 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists).
Before arriving in Amherst, Cannella starred at Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he earned first team All-America honors and helped lead Nassau to the 1985 Junior College National Championship. A native of Lynbrook, New York, Cannella was one of the most prolific scorers in Lynbrook High School history. He was a high school All-America selection and remains among the program's all-time leading scorers.
Cannella's leadership extended beyond the field. He served as president of the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association from 1998–2000. He also launched and chaired the NEILA Scholar-Athlete Team, established in 1999. In addition, Cannella served on the NCAA Championships Regional Advisory Committee from 1997–2004, was a USILA regional poll voter from 1997–2001 and was a regional voter for USILA All-America selections. He was a longtime member of the prestigious Tewaaraton Award selection committee, serving from the award's inception through 2017.
Thomas Carmean • Men's Lacrosse • 1985-87
A three-time All-American, Thomas Carmean is among the top all-time scorers in UMass men's lacrosse history as he still ranks ninth in the program's record book in career points (186), fifth in assists (98) and 20th in goals (88). The three-year letterwinner under head coach Dick Garber helped the Minutemen reach the NCAA Tournament in 1987 as a team co-captain while his assists total from that season, 40, currently ranks 10th all-time. He put up 63 points in both 1985 and 1986 and 60 in 1987, earning a spot on the USILA All-America first team in 1987 after being recognized as a second team honoree in 1986 and an honorable mention selection in 1985. Carmean garnered All-New England laurels each year from 1985-87 and played in the USILA North/South game in 1987.
Following his career as a student-athlete, Carmean was an assistant coach on the UMass staff in 1988 and again from 1990-92. His 10-year career in the National Lacrosse League (1990-2000) saw him earn five All-Pro selections and six team MVP awards while serving as a team captain for five seasons.
Carmean taught English and coached high school lacrosse at both Williston Northampton School (Mass.) in 1992-93 and South Hadley from 1994 to 2000. He continued his coaching career at Amherst College, heading the program from 1999 to 2010, and guided the squad to nine NESAC postseason appearances (four conference semifinals) while mentoring three All-Americans and 25 all-conference honorees.
In addition, Carmean served as the offensive coordinator for the Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse from 2013-15, helping the team to a runner-up finish in the 2013 MLL Championship. He also directed the men's lacrosse program at Guilford College from 2010-15 and was inducted into the New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1998.
Katie Ferris • Women's Lacrosse • Attacker • 2011-14
One of the most decorated student-athletes to wear the Maroon and White, Katie Ferris earned three career All-America selections, including IWLCA Second-Team All-America honors in 2014 – becoming the first player in program history to receive All-America recognition three times. Ferris was also a three-time Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, a four-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection, a three-time IWLCA All-Northeast Region First Team honoree, a three-time Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team member and was twice named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
Ferris became the program's all-time leader in points (330), goals (211) and assists (119), a goal total recently eclipsed by Kassidy Morris '25, with Ferris remaining the program leader in points and assists. Ferris' 330 career points ranked among the top-15 totals in NCAA women's lacrosse history at the time of her graduation.
Ferris made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2011, earning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors, First Team All-Conference recognition and All-Rookie Team accolades after setting UMass freshman records with 56 goals and 72 points, respectively. She also earned SynapseSports.com Rookie All-America honors and IWLCA All-Region recognition while establishing herself as one of the nation's premier young attackers.
Ferris elevated her game to historic levels throughout the remainder of her career, rewriting the UMass record book in nearly every offensive category. As a sophomore in 2012, she produced one of the greatest seasons in program history, setting school and Atlantic 10 records with 98 points with 59 goals and 39 assists. That season, Ferris ranked among the national leaders in goals, assists, points and points per game while recording 12 hat tricks. She followed with another dominant campaign in 2013, earning Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year honors, Third Team All-America recognition, and First Team IWLCA All-Northeast Region accolades after totaling 52 goals and 23 assists. Ferris capped her senior season in 2014 with a career high in assists (41) to go with 44 goals and 85 points, while helping lead UMass to an Atlantic 10 Championship. She was named tournament MVP.
Bill Knight • Baseball • Outfield • 1992-95
During a standout career at UMass, Bill Knight established himself as one of the baseball program's all-time greats. He was tabbed the 1995 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year while being named to the Atlantic 10 First Team. Knight also landed on the ABCA All-America Third Team, All-Northeast Region First Team and All-New England First Team in the same year.
The four-year letterman played under former head coach Mike Stone, helping lead the team to two A-10 Championship titles in 1994 and 1995, while reaching the NCAA Tournament in 1995. Throughout his four seasons, Knight and the team combined for a 112-68 overall record and a 58-25 mark in conference play.
Knight still ranks among the program's career leaders in several categories. He sits atop the leaderboard in home runs (43) and total bases (372). He also ranks second in runs batted in (171), slugging percentage (.624), third in hits (203), tied for third in runs (157), seventh in at-bats (596), tied for eighth in games played (168) and ninth in batting average (.341).
Additionally, Knight's 1995 season still stands as one of the most productive in program history. He is first in runs batted in (72), total bases (147), slugging percentage (.754) and home runs (18), while tying for second in runs (61) and tying for seventh in hits (73).
Following his collegiate success, Knight was drafted by Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics franchise in the 21st round of the 1995 MLB Draft. He played two professional seasons before retiring from competition.
2026 MARTIN JACOBSON '68,19H DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS – Frank '81 & Peter '82 DiTomasso
The Jacobson Award is presented annually to an alumni/ae who has made truly exceptional contributions of leadership and service to the athletic department and has demonstrated an appreciation for and worked to enhance UMass' rich athletic heritage as an important component of the undergraduate educational experience. Frank and Peter DiTommaso have been mainstays with the UMass football program and have remained loyal to their alma mater ever since leaving campus in the early 80's. Under head coach Bob Pickett, both Frank and Peter were outstanding student-athletes. Frank, a defensive end, and Peter, a linebacker, helped lead their alma mater to multiple successful seasons.
Frank and Peter are no strangers to hard work, as they are the co-founders of the successful Interstate Industrial Corporation in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Founded in 1986, it has become one of the largest specialty union contractors in the Northeast serving New York and New Jersey. In 2015, the duo made a major gift towards the 55,000 square-foot Football Performance Center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, which was a giant step for the program. Frank and Peter have been heavily involved with the Gridiron Club helping build a career mentoring network and raising funds for the football program in support of the student-athlete experience. Current and future gifts support access to mental health professionals, career development and networking, as well as nutritional & facility enhancements. Frank has also served as Gridiron Club President.
"The DiTomasso family legacy is deeply entrenched at the University of Massachusetts and especially in our proud football program," said director of athletics Ryan Bamford. "Frank and Peter have been positive alumni leaders and great ambassadors for Massachusetts football for almost 50 years. They have not only been philanthropic leaders supporting important program growth, but have developed strong mentoring relationships with our student-athletes, resulting in personal development and growth and successful post-graduate work opportunities."
2026 JOHN FRANCIS KENNEDY '76G MAROON LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT - Jim Reid
The Kennedy Award is presented annually to a non-alumnus who has made significant and lasting contributions of service and loyalty to promote and generate competitive excellence and student-athlete impact within the athletic department. A revered coaching figure in UMass football history, Jim Reid was at the helm of the Minutemen from 1986-91, leading the program to three Yankee Conference titles (1986, '88, '90), and he was named Yankee Conference Coach of the Year in '88 and '90.
Reid spent the previous 13 seasons at UMass as an assistant under head coaches Dick MacPherson (1973-77), Bob Pickett (1978-83) and Bob Stull (1984-85) and won six Yankee Conference titles in that span. After joining MacPherson's staff as a graduate assistant in 1973, Reid went on to coach outside linebackers (1975), defensive backs (1976-77) and from 1978-85, served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Reid returned to UMass in June 2021 as interim defensive tackles coach and finished his coaching career serving as an analyst under current UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak. A constant connection for Minutemen across generations, Reid was an unofficial alumni ambassador for all who wore the Maroon & White.
The Medford, Massachusetts native played safety at Maine from 1970-72 and earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1973. He added a master's degree in sport management from UMass (1975).
"Coach Reid has been an integral part of our program across different decades and has had a remarkable impact on so many Minutemen," Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said. "We really enjoyed having him back with us over the last six years to both mentor our young men and connect them with alumni leading to truly impactful relationships. He has our gratitude and admiration for his service and commitment to Massachusetts football over the years."
2026 ELAINE SORTINO ALUMNA AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT - Dr. Kathy Coyner '01
The Elaine Sortino Award is presented annually to a UMass alumna who in their life after UMass has made significant contributions of leadership and has achieved excellence in their respective fields. The award is named for the University's legendary softball coach Elaine Sortino. Dr. Kathy Coyner embarked on her academic journey at UMass in 2001 earning a Bachelor of Science degree. During her time in Amherst, she had the honor of serving as a two-time team captain of the women's basketball team while becoming only the second player in UMass history to achieve 1,000 points and 500 assists in a career. In recognition of her athletic contributions, she was named to the Atlantic 10 Legends Class of 2017.
Dr. Coyner is currently a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at UConn Health, specializing in orthopedic sports medicine. She is also an Orthopedic Team Physician within the University of Connecticut Athletics Department. She obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2023. This significant milestone further strengthened her commitment to advancing patient care, research, and education. She is deeply passionate about paving the way for women in the world of medicine as fewer than 7% of orthopedic surgeons in the United States are women.
In Connecticut, Dr. Coyner is one of only a few female sports medicine physicians. To address this gender gap, she hosts numerous workshops for young women in high school and medical school, introducing them to the primarily male-dominated fields of orthopedic surgery and engineering. Through these initiatives, she aims to instill the necessary skills and offer mentorship, ensuring that aspiring women recognize their potential to succeed in these fields.
"A standout on the hardwood at UMass, Kathy has added to her legacy with her highly-successful career in medicine after leaving the flagship," added Bamford. "Kathy is a leading orthopedic surgeon and recognized figure in the sports medicine field. Her connections to our campus and department remain strong because of the experience she had on/off the court and the ways UMass helped shape and advance her life. Kathy is a wonderful example for our current student-athletes and truly deserving of this honor as she epitomizes the strength, grit and determination that Coach Sortino embodied."
During the enshrinement ceremony, Massachusetts Athletics will also bestow three special recognition awards: the Martin Jacobson '68 Distinguished Alumni Award, the John Francis Kennedy '76G Maroon Leadership Award and the Elaine Sortino Alumna Award for Achievement. Frank '81 and Peter '82 DiTommaso will receive the 2026 Jacobson Award, Jim Reid will receive the Kennedy Award and Dr. Kathy Coyner '01, '23G will receive the Sortino Award.
The UMass Athletics George "Trigger" Burke Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, September 18 at 6 p.m. in the Campus Center Auditorium. Please register online at www.umassalumni.com/hof2026.
Questions regarding the event can be addressed to Director of UMass Athletic Events & Fan Engagement Jason Germain at jag@umass.edu.
Greg Cannella • Men's Lacrosse • 1985-87, 1992-2025
A fixture on the UMass men's lacrosse sidelines for more than three decades, Greg Cannella totaled 256 career wins in 31 seasons at the helm and led the Minutemen to nine NCAA tournament berths, a 2006 NCAA championship game appearance and captured eight conference championships.
Following the team's run to the 2006 NCAA Division I championship game, the first such appearance by a team from New England, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association named Cannella the USILA National Coach of the Year. He also guided UMass to the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking and finished his distinguished career with a 256-181 overall record (.586).
Cannella earned CAA Coach of the Year honors in 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019, was recognized as New England Coach of the Year five times and collected four ECAC Coach of the Year awards. Before his retirement, he held the distinction as the longest-tenured head coach across all NCAA Division I men's and women's lacrosse.
Cannella's teams produced three Tewaaraton Award finalists, 52 USILA All-America selections, 123 All-New England picks, 118 all-conference honorees and 11 positional league Players of the Year award winners. Under Cannella, the program also totaled 15 Academic All-Americans, 78 New England Scholar-Athletes and 40 academic all-conference selections.
Cannella took the reins of the UMass lacrosse program in November 1994 with a deep appreciation for its storied tradition. A two-time letterwinner at UMass, Cannella also served two seasons as an assistant coach for Ted Garber before being promoted to lead the program. Cannella earned a bachelor's degree in physical education while playing at UMass from 1986–87. A two-year starter and member of two NCAA Tournament teams, he finished his career with 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists).
Before arriving in Amherst, Cannella starred at Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he earned first team All-America honors and helped lead Nassau to the 1985 Junior College National Championship. A native of Lynbrook, New York, Cannella was one of the most prolific scorers in Lynbrook High School history. He was a high school All-America selection and remains among the program's all-time leading scorers.
Cannella's leadership extended beyond the field. He served as president of the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association from 1998–2000. He also launched and chaired the NEILA Scholar-Athlete Team, established in 1999. In addition, Cannella served on the NCAA Championships Regional Advisory Committee from 1997–2004, was a USILA regional poll voter from 1997–2001 and was a regional voter for USILA All-America selections. He was a longtime member of the prestigious Tewaaraton Award selection committee, serving from the award's inception through 2017.
Thomas Carmean • Men's Lacrosse • 1985-87
A three-time All-American, Thomas Carmean is among the top all-time scorers in UMass men's lacrosse history as he still ranks ninth in the program's record book in career points (186), fifth in assists (98) and 20th in goals (88). The three-year letterwinner under head coach Dick Garber helped the Minutemen reach the NCAA Tournament in 1987 as a team co-captain while his assists total from that season, 40, currently ranks 10th all-time. He put up 63 points in both 1985 and 1986 and 60 in 1987, earning a spot on the USILA All-America first team in 1987 after being recognized as a second team honoree in 1986 and an honorable mention selection in 1985. Carmean garnered All-New England laurels each year from 1985-87 and played in the USILA North/South game in 1987.
Following his career as a student-athlete, Carmean was an assistant coach on the UMass staff in 1988 and again from 1990-92. His 10-year career in the National Lacrosse League (1990-2000) saw him earn five All-Pro selections and six team MVP awards while serving as a team captain for five seasons.
Carmean taught English and coached high school lacrosse at both Williston Northampton School (Mass.) in 1992-93 and South Hadley from 1994 to 2000. He continued his coaching career at Amherst College, heading the program from 1999 to 2010, and guided the squad to nine NESAC postseason appearances (four conference semifinals) while mentoring three All-Americans and 25 all-conference honorees.
In addition, Carmean served as the offensive coordinator for the Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse from 2013-15, helping the team to a runner-up finish in the 2013 MLL Championship. He also directed the men's lacrosse program at Guilford College from 2010-15 and was inducted into the New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1998.
Katie Ferris • Women's Lacrosse • Attacker • 2011-14
One of the most decorated student-athletes to wear the Maroon and White, Katie Ferris earned three career All-America selections, including IWLCA Second-Team All-America honors in 2014 – becoming the first player in program history to receive All-America recognition three times. Ferris was also a three-time Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, a four-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection, a three-time IWLCA All-Northeast Region First Team honoree, a three-time Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team member and was twice named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
Ferris became the program's all-time leader in points (330), goals (211) and assists (119), a goal total recently eclipsed by Kassidy Morris '25, with Ferris remaining the program leader in points and assists. Ferris' 330 career points ranked among the top-15 totals in NCAA women's lacrosse history at the time of her graduation.
Ferris made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2011, earning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors, First Team All-Conference recognition and All-Rookie Team accolades after setting UMass freshman records with 56 goals and 72 points, respectively. She also earned SynapseSports.com Rookie All-America honors and IWLCA All-Region recognition while establishing herself as one of the nation's premier young attackers.
Ferris elevated her game to historic levels throughout the remainder of her career, rewriting the UMass record book in nearly every offensive category. As a sophomore in 2012, she produced one of the greatest seasons in program history, setting school and Atlantic 10 records with 98 points with 59 goals and 39 assists. That season, Ferris ranked among the national leaders in goals, assists, points and points per game while recording 12 hat tricks. She followed with another dominant campaign in 2013, earning Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year honors, Third Team All-America recognition, and First Team IWLCA All-Northeast Region accolades after totaling 52 goals and 23 assists. Ferris capped her senior season in 2014 with a career high in assists (41) to go with 44 goals and 85 points, while helping lead UMass to an Atlantic 10 Championship. She was named tournament MVP.
Bill Knight • Baseball • Outfield • 1992-95
During a standout career at UMass, Bill Knight established himself as one of the baseball program's all-time greats. He was tabbed the 1995 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year while being named to the Atlantic 10 First Team. Knight also landed on the ABCA All-America Third Team, All-Northeast Region First Team and All-New England First Team in the same year.
The four-year letterman played under former head coach Mike Stone, helping lead the team to two A-10 Championship titles in 1994 and 1995, while reaching the NCAA Tournament in 1995. Throughout his four seasons, Knight and the team combined for a 112-68 overall record and a 58-25 mark in conference play.
Knight still ranks among the program's career leaders in several categories. He sits atop the leaderboard in home runs (43) and total bases (372). He also ranks second in runs batted in (171), slugging percentage (.624), third in hits (203), tied for third in runs (157), seventh in at-bats (596), tied for eighth in games played (168) and ninth in batting average (.341).
Additionally, Knight's 1995 season still stands as one of the most productive in program history. He is first in runs batted in (72), total bases (147), slugging percentage (.754) and home runs (18), while tying for second in runs (61) and tying for seventh in hits (73).
Following his collegiate success, Knight was drafted by Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics franchise in the 21st round of the 1995 MLB Draft. He played two professional seasons before retiring from competition.
2026 MARTIN JACOBSON '68,19H DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS – Frank '81 & Peter '82 DiTomasso
The Jacobson Award is presented annually to an alumni/ae who has made truly exceptional contributions of leadership and service to the athletic department and has demonstrated an appreciation for and worked to enhance UMass' rich athletic heritage as an important component of the undergraduate educational experience. Frank and Peter DiTommaso have been mainstays with the UMass football program and have remained loyal to their alma mater ever since leaving campus in the early 80's. Under head coach Bob Pickett, both Frank and Peter were outstanding student-athletes. Frank, a defensive end, and Peter, a linebacker, helped lead their alma mater to multiple successful seasons.
Frank and Peter are no strangers to hard work, as they are the co-founders of the successful Interstate Industrial Corporation in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Founded in 1986, it has become one of the largest specialty union contractors in the Northeast serving New York and New Jersey. In 2015, the duo made a major gift towards the 55,000 square-foot Football Performance Center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, which was a giant step for the program. Frank and Peter have been heavily involved with the Gridiron Club helping build a career mentoring network and raising funds for the football program in support of the student-athlete experience. Current and future gifts support access to mental health professionals, career development and networking, as well as nutritional & facility enhancements. Frank has also served as Gridiron Club President.
"The DiTomasso family legacy is deeply entrenched at the University of Massachusetts and especially in our proud football program," said director of athletics Ryan Bamford. "Frank and Peter have been positive alumni leaders and great ambassadors for Massachusetts football for almost 50 years. They have not only been philanthropic leaders supporting important program growth, but have developed strong mentoring relationships with our student-athletes, resulting in personal development and growth and successful post-graduate work opportunities."
2026 JOHN FRANCIS KENNEDY '76G MAROON LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT - Jim Reid
The Kennedy Award is presented annually to a non-alumnus who has made significant and lasting contributions of service and loyalty to promote and generate competitive excellence and student-athlete impact within the athletic department. A revered coaching figure in UMass football history, Jim Reid was at the helm of the Minutemen from 1986-91, leading the program to three Yankee Conference titles (1986, '88, '90), and he was named Yankee Conference Coach of the Year in '88 and '90.
Reid spent the previous 13 seasons at UMass as an assistant under head coaches Dick MacPherson (1973-77), Bob Pickett (1978-83) and Bob Stull (1984-85) and won six Yankee Conference titles in that span. After joining MacPherson's staff as a graduate assistant in 1973, Reid went on to coach outside linebackers (1975), defensive backs (1976-77) and from 1978-85, served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Reid returned to UMass in June 2021 as interim defensive tackles coach and finished his coaching career serving as an analyst under current UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak. A constant connection for Minutemen across generations, Reid was an unofficial alumni ambassador for all who wore the Maroon & White.
The Medford, Massachusetts native played safety at Maine from 1970-72 and earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1973. He added a master's degree in sport management from UMass (1975).
"Coach Reid has been an integral part of our program across different decades and has had a remarkable impact on so many Minutemen," Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said. "We really enjoyed having him back with us over the last six years to both mentor our young men and connect them with alumni leading to truly impactful relationships. He has our gratitude and admiration for his service and commitment to Massachusetts football over the years."
2026 ELAINE SORTINO ALUMNA AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT - Dr. Kathy Coyner '01
The Elaine Sortino Award is presented annually to a UMass alumna who in their life after UMass has made significant contributions of leadership and has achieved excellence in their respective fields. The award is named for the University's legendary softball coach Elaine Sortino. Dr. Kathy Coyner embarked on her academic journey at UMass in 2001 earning a Bachelor of Science degree. During her time in Amherst, she had the honor of serving as a two-time team captain of the women's basketball team while becoming only the second player in UMass history to achieve 1,000 points and 500 assists in a career. In recognition of her athletic contributions, she was named to the Atlantic 10 Legends Class of 2017.
Dr. Coyner is currently a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at UConn Health, specializing in orthopedic sports medicine. She is also an Orthopedic Team Physician within the University of Connecticut Athletics Department. She obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2023. This significant milestone further strengthened her commitment to advancing patient care, research, and education. She is deeply passionate about paving the way for women in the world of medicine as fewer than 7% of orthopedic surgeons in the United States are women.
In Connecticut, Dr. Coyner is one of only a few female sports medicine physicians. To address this gender gap, she hosts numerous workshops for young women in high school and medical school, introducing them to the primarily male-dominated fields of orthopedic surgery and engineering. Through these initiatives, she aims to instill the necessary skills and offer mentorship, ensuring that aspiring women recognize their potential to succeed in these fields.
"A standout on the hardwood at UMass, Kathy has added to her legacy with her highly-successful career in medicine after leaving the flagship," added Bamford. "Kathy is a leading orthopedic surgeon and recognized figure in the sports medicine field. Her connections to our campus and department remain strong because of the experience she had on/off the court and the ways UMass helped shape and advance her life. Kathy is a wonderful example for our current student-athletes and truly deserving of this honor as she epitomizes the strength, grit and determination that Coach Sortino embodied."
Players Mentioned
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