We are sad to report the passing of Sue Hodges, the wife of former UMass football coach and longtime athletic department staff member Mike Hodges.
Information on arrangements will be provided once they are available.
Read about the game in the following recaps.
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: Gurley hits critical 3 as shot clock expires to key UMass win over URI
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: UMass notes: Bailey bobbles big moment (but scores anyway)
• Springfield Republican: Hashim "Big City'' Bailey delivers a big play at a big time
• Masslive: UMass beats Rhode Island 64-54: Highlights and Postgame
• Boston Globe: UMass numbers start to take shape
• Worcester Telegram: Big City's rumble sparks Minutemen
• CBS 3 Springfield: Minutemen Take Down URI, Now 5-2 in A-10
• Daily Collegian: Gurley, Bailey make big plays over URI
• Daily Collegian: Minutemen defeat Rams
• Providence Journal: UMass 64, URI 54: Not much goes right for Rams
• Providence Journal: URI journal: Knee injury knocks out Outerbridge
• ESPN: UMass continues to roll by topping Rhode Island
Five mid-year transfers have joined the University of Massachusetts football team and will be eligible for the 2011 season whether the program moves up in status or not.
The new players could address needs at quarterback, wide receiver and running back, where key players from last year's 6-5 team will be lost through graduation.
UMass coach Kevin Morris announced that three of the five newcomers arrive from programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) - tailback Chris Burns from Pittsburgh, defensive back Ryan Campbell from Mississippi and quarterback Kellen Pagel from Bowling Green.
The University of Massachusetts football program has added five midyear additions, including a highly-recruited running back and a new entrant into the starting quarterback competition. The group includes three transfers from Bowl Subdivision schools, one junior college transfer and one prep school player enrolling early.
In many respects, it was their best game of the year. First, the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team put aside the unsettling nature of an emergency landing on the way to Olean, N.Y.
The Minutemen then turned in a complete effort, winning 78-69 at St. Bonaventure Wednesday night in a game they controlled for most of the 40 minutes.
"I wouldn't say it was the best we could play, but maybe almost,'' UMass coach Derek Kellogg said.
The Massachusetts women's basketball team took on Temple on Wednesday at the Mullins Center in an Atlantic 10 conference battle.
While tip off was moved up to 5:00 p.m. due to inclement weather, the University of Massachusetts was unable to advance in the A-10 standings. The Owls remained undefeated in A-10 play with a 76-48 victory."Your brain becomes a collage, thinking of good times and bad times,'' the University of Massachusetts men's basketball player said. "Looking down ... that's a hard fall.''
Carter and the rest of the UMass entourage made an emergency landing Tuesday in Albany, N.Y. Thus ended a harrowing 15 minutes that, according to UMass personnel, saw flight attendants running through the aisles and thumbing through procedural manuels, after smoke was detected in the cockpit.
Read the detailed and graphic stories in the Springfield Republican and Daily Hampshire Gazette.
A record 25 players have been unveiled as the nominees for the 2011 BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award.
The list includes returning nominees Sam Kuzyk of Adrian, Mario Mjelleli of Augsburg and Brigid O'Gorman of Connecticut College.
Finalists will be announced in mid-February, with the award scheduled to be presented on Friday, April 8 at the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn.
The full list of nominees follows:
Jenni Bauer, sr., Niagara
Jackie Berglass, sr., Williams
Stephane Boileau, sr., Union
Joseph Calvi, sr., Bentley
Isaiah Carlson, so., Salve Regina
Ryan Corry, sr., Plattsburgh State
Paul Dainton, sr., Massachusetts
Brooks Dyroff, so., Boston College
Kristin Faber, jr., Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Alyssa Grogan, jr., Minnesota
Alex Higgins, sr., St. Michael's
Tanner House, sr., Maine
Aleca Hughes, jr., Yale
Sam Kuzyk, sr., Adrian
Ciara Lee, sr., Wayne State
Mario Mjelleli, sr., Augsburg
Ron Meyers, jr., Alaska
Scott Moser, jr., Canisius
Tucker Mullin, so., St. Anselm
Trevor Nill, jr., Michigan State
Whitney Pappas, sr., Robert Morris
Brigid O'Gorman, sr., Connecticut College
Cody Reichard, jr., Miami
Ben Ryan, sr., Notre Dame
Paul Zanette, sr., Niagara
They're almost certainly not going to earn home ice in the playoffs, but you've still got to like the way the Massachusetts Minutemen have performed this year. After an offseason which saw them lose a staggering amount of talent, they've dealt with the ups and downs well enough to be in seventh place, just two games under .500 in league play.
Of late, they've been playing particularly well, winning three of their last four. They swept sister school Massachusetts-Lowell two weekends ago before splitting a two-game set this past weekend at Vermont. Even better is the way they played in the split. After a 2-1 loss on Friday night, they took no prisoners on Saturday, thumping their hosts, 6-0.
In the last 10 years, Massachusetts' hockey player Eric Filiou has lived in Canada, Europe and the United States, but the one place he hasn't lived during that decade is the only place he can truly call home.
When he was 11-years-old, Filiou left his home in Montreal and everything he knew behind to learn English and develop his hockey skills in a setting completely different from what he was accustomed to.
He found himself at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame for high school in Saskatchewan, Canada where everything was new to him. The language, the people and in particular, the lifestyle were all foreign. All Filiou had known was the hustle-and-bustle of Montreal and the immense cityscape. When he arrived in Wilcox, a small village in Saskatchewan, he was greeted with vast farmlands and a population just over 300 people.
Morgan became eligible in late December, when the second semester began. He was preceded by his reputation as one of the best high school players in Philadelpia, a scoring talent good enough to be signed to a letter of intent by Seton Hall, a Big East program.
Here are game previews of UMass' pivotal game at St. Bonaventure on Wednesday night.
Check out Telegram.com's article on UMass track and field alum Kristin Bakanowski getting hired at Algonquin Regional High School as an assistant track and field coach.
"Danielson's departure gives former Algonquin and UMass star Kristen Bakanowski an opportunity to fulfill a dream by coaching at her alma mater.
A T&G Super Team pick in indoor and outdoor track, the 25-year-old Bakanowski set the Algonquin record in the pole vault (12 feet) and competed on the national stage more than once before continuing her storied career for the Minutewomen, where she set their school record at 12 feet, 11-3/4 inches."
Stop by any pond hockey tournament, and you'll witness a frosty tableau of giddy, puck-loving weekend warriors reliving glory days, enjoying the great outdoors and knocking back a few carbonated beverages. Draw composite pictures of those players, and the images would break into two distinct camps. First is the grizzled 35-year-old or 40-plus hockey veteran, who grew up on the ponds, with a quaint beer belly stretching his jersey but still with good wheels and a good idea of how to use them. The second is the under-30 player raised on indoor ice, drawn more by the sheer novelty of the event.
That's what roughly 500 participants and another 1,500 or so spectators found on the seven "rinks" that dotted New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee during the inaugural New England Pond Hockey Championships on a sun-splattered weekend last winter. At the center of this perfect pond hockey storm, corralling these two disparate groups, was a 24-year-old University of Massachusetts graduate, Scott Crowder.
Members of the Nobles boys and girls hockey teams unveiled special camouflage jerseys on Saturday for their respective games in a fundraiser to benefit the Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund.
The fund helps children of fallen members of the Armed Forces.
Boys co-captain Matthew Harlow said he went to his coach, Brian Day, with the idea of a charity game and game across the MSL.
"This is truly a great cause to raise money for soldiers and their families. This is the least we can do for the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us," Harlow said.
The fund was started by Peter Trovato in 2004.
Proceeds from donations at the games, a 50-50 raffle, the snack bar and other fund-raisers all benefited the MSL.
"He's a regular guy who has done an extraordinary thing," coach Day said. "Our government is asking a lot from our soldiers, but not much from our citizens. There are two things that we can give our kids and that is unconditional love and the best education possible."
Kellogg likes to compare the styles of current players with familiar players of years past. He was asked if Putney's style reminds him of any previous Minutemen.
"Not yet. But I think he's a good example of the value of redshirting,'' said Kellogg, whose player used the inactive 2009-10 season to add strength to his still-willowy, 180-pound frame.
UMass takes an 11-7 record (3-2 Atlantic 10) to St. Bonaventure (10-8, 2-3).
"The thing that people don't understand is that he loves the job. It's a dream job for him," said Calipari. "He wants to build it. He wants to raise his family there. It's what he wants."
Despite having several good looks for game-tying and game-winning goals, UMass wasn't able to crack the Vermont defense settling for a tough 2-1 loss at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Friday night.
Springfield Republican: Vermont downs Massachusetts in Hockey East
Daily Hampshire Gazette: Vermont hockey holds on to edge Minutemen
Burlington Free Press: Special teams spark Vermont's win
Postgame Interview:
Here are the game previews on stories leading up to the UMass-Richmond game on Saturday at 12 Noon
Ihedigbo is only in his fourth NFL season and on Sunday he'll play in his second AFC Championship game as he and the New York Jets will face the Pittsburgh Steelers at 6:30 p.m.
But the 27-year-old defensive back needs only to look across the locker room to realize that opportunities like this aren't necessarily abundant.
As the Minutemen prepare for their pregame skate this morning, here's a look at some of the headlines featuring the series at Vermont this weekend.
MassLive.com: Minutemen hope to give 'em one in The Gut
Daily Hampshire Gazette: UMass Hockey Looks To Continue Success At Vermont
Daily Collegian: UMass hockey looks for a winning streak
Daily Collegian: Special teams responsible for highs and lows
Burlington Free Press: UMass matchups key to Vermont's playoff hopes
The Daily Collegian's Jackson Alexander has a preview of the swimming & diving teams' Senior Day meet against Boston College. In the story, Jackson points out how the Minutemen and Minutewomen are carrying a lot of momentum after sweeping the Rhode Island Invitational against Atlantic 10 opponents last week as they prepare for next month's Conference Championships.
The Senior Day meet begins at 4 p.m. at the Joseph Rogers Pool with Senior Day festivities taking place approximately 15 minutes prior. The meet will be televised on CBS 3 Now and online on UMass All-Access. At 2 p.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held as the new Nowak Dryland Facility will be dedicated at Boyden Gym.
It would have been a big game under any circumstance for Freddie Riley. The University of Massachusetts sophomore guard has had a difficult time finding an offensive rhythm all year so 18 points in any game would certainly have been welcomed.
But it meant more Wednesday. Late Tuesday night, Riley's brother told him that their friend Antonio "T.J." Gordon had been shot and killed in an incident outside of a bowling alley in Riley's hometown of Ocala, Fla. Before Wednesday's game with Charlotte, Riley quietly dedicated his performance to the memory of his friend.
"I decided to dedicate the game to him after one of my younger friends called me (Wednesday afternoon) and was crying," he said. "It hurt him really bad because they were really close."
Massachusetts head coach Derek Kellogg shouts to his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011. Kellogg was barefoot to support the charity Samaritan's Feet during the game. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Camby hurt his knee in Portland's victory Monday night over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team says an MRI exam was initially clear, but closer examination revealed a partial meniscus tear.
There is no timetable for Camby's return. His surgery has not yet been scheduled. The news came as the Blazers prepared to play in Sacramento Wednesday night.
Sowry was replaced on Jan. 7 when UMass announced the hiring of Northwestern Associate Head Coach and former US National Team member Carla Tagliente as field hockey head coach.
He writes about seniors dominating the game this year as well as the winless and perfect teams in the nation.
University of Massachusetts football coach Kevin Morris said the players the Minuteman coaching staff is recruiting have heard all the rumors. They know that UMass is exploring the possibility of an upgrade to Bowl Subdivision football.
But Morris said until a decision is officially announced, the coaching staff is being careful not to oversell that potential to players they're recruiting.
Here is a complete release of the entire roster on Inside Lacrosse.
"I knew it was between myself and Paul Pasqualoni,'' Whipple said by phone Monday night. "I knew I had a good interview at UConn. But they told me they would not announce anything until (last) Thursday at the earliest, and that's what they did. I'm doing well. I just have to move forward.''
"Charlotte is like us. They have been very good at times, and struggled at other times,'' UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. "But they're dangerous. They can fill it up (offensively).''
Read the full story in the Springfield Republican.
"We got a great performance tonight from Sean Carter," UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. "He looked like a man in the paint finishing balls around the rim... I've been waiting for Sean to break out because he's practiced very hard as of late. "
Carter had a season-high 15 points to go with nine rebounds and two blocked shots while limiting Murray to 12 points and eight rebounds, both below his averages.
Here are stories mentioning Ihedigbo.
• USA Today: Rex Ryan's Jets shock Tom Brady, Patriots with 28-21 win
• FanHouse: Dennis Byrd's Inspirational Message Reached Jets in New England Upset
• Canadian Press: Former Jet Dennis Byrd, whose career ended with broken neck, inspires team.
• ESPN: Jets' D stomps 'unstoppable' Brady
• ESPN: Boy, were we wrong about the Jets
• New York Times: For a Second Week, the Jets Make an Elite Quarterback Look Ordinary
• Asbury Park Press: Borden Column: Rex Ryan deserves credit for victory
Here are stories from the win in Springfield.
• Springfield Republican: Gurley's 20 points lead UMass basketball to win in Springfield
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: Minutemen survive last-minute mistakes to defeat La Salle at MassMutual Center
• Boston Globe: Minutemen locate their comfort zone
• Boston Herald: BC beats buzzer, not the U
• Worcester Telegram: Minutemen craft a total team effort
• Philadelphia Inquirer: La Salle falls at Massachusetts
• ESPN.com: Massachusetts 74, La Salle 71
• WWLP NBC22: UMass bounces back, beats LaSalle
• Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia: NCAAB Wrap: Penn State falls just shy vs. No. 2 OSU
The binder that explains Mike Tannenbaum is filled with dozens of pages, with spreadsheets and data analysis and a "comprehensive report" of every free agent signed during the 1994 off-season.
He compiled it after law school at Tulane, in his spare time, while interning for the New Orleans Saints. He mailed one to every N.F.L. team. The binder is classic Tannenbaum -- dry, smart, focused, filled with numbers.
Fifteen years later, Tannenbaum, now the Jets' general manager, sometimes thinks of his neighbor, a brain surgeon. The neighbor, Tannenbaum is certain, has always been the smartest man in the room. Yet in some ways, Tannenbaum is still the child immersed in the sports section, who parlayed that obsession into N.F.L. binders and a lucrative career in sports.
UMass sophomore center Jasmine Watson was expecting quite the challenge.
"They're the biggest team we have in our conference," said Watson, who leads UMass with 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. "They're two of the greatest players in the country right now. It's definitely a challenge for us. We're willing to step up and take it."
"We hope they take us lightly. There's nothing wrong with being an underdog," Watson said. "Underdogs win games too."
Continue reading Minutewoman hoop team awaits No. 8 Xavier
Like the United States Postal Service, the UMass indoor track and field team delivers on time, no matter what the weather is.
Wednesday's mammoth nor'easter hardly was a hurdle for the Minutemen as they prepared for this weekend's season-opening Sorlien Memorial Invitational in Kingston, R.I.
Continue reading UMass track set for run at glory
"He said, 'If you can't get length, get girth,' " Flint said with a laugh as he thought about the wisdom Jack Leaman imparted.
Forbes is making a name for himself after arriving at training camp as a relative unknown. The former Atlantic 10 Player of the Year started four times early in the season while filling in for injured big men Carmelo Anthony and Nene, and he entered the weekend averaging 5.4 points despite playing just 12.2 minutes per game. Using Nuggets.com as his forum, Forbes will periodically share his thoughts on life as an NBA rookie.
Earlier this week, I caught up with an old friend, James Ihedigbo. You may know James as the hard hitting safety and special teams ace from the Jets; I know him best from our battles on the intramural courts at UMass. He didn't seem overly interested in reliving the time my squad beat him and his football teammates. Apparently he has more important things on his mind...whatever.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and assistant general manager Scott Cohen are both graduates of UMass. In recent years, the addition of guard Vladimir Ducasse and safety James Ihedigbo, also Minutemen, further advanced a pipeline that seems to grow by the year.
The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team has traditionally played well in Springfield. This would be a good time to draw upon that karma now.
"We play again Saturday. It's not a football season We have to regroup and get ready for La Salle,'' coach Derek Kellogg said in response to Wednesday's 79-50 loss at Xavier.
Recap stories:
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: Xavier overpowers UMass in Cincinnati
• Boston Globe: Minutemen are rattled by Xavier
• Springfield Republican: Xavier runs away from UMass with 79-50 basketball victory
• WWLP NBC22: Xavier drops UMass, 79-50
• Cincinnati Enqurier: Xavier rolls to 79-50 win over Massachusetts
• Fox Sports Ohio: Xavier rolls to 79-50 win over UMass
(3 games played): An undrafted rookie out of UMass, Horne made the Chiefs Opening Day roster following an impressive training camp. He played in three games this season, mainly on special teams, and was inactive for two games. 
Read the previews of UMass game at Xavier.
• NESN.com: Atlantic 10 Clash Between UMass, Xavier Airing Live on NESN at 7 pm
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: Kellogg not committed to slowing offense as Minutemen prepare for Xavier
• Springfield Republican: UMass basketball team hopes a slow and steady pace delivers more results
• Cincinnati Enqurier: Xavier Musketeers freshman Jordan Latham trying his best to learn ropes
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: Carter eyes quick return after injury
Gary Correia knows time is running out. "I haven't beaten Xavier yet. This is personal for me,'' the University of Masschusetts senior point guard said as his team headed to Cincinnati for a difficult Atlantic 10 Conference game.
A little momentum follows the Minutemen (9-5, 1-0 A-10), who outlasted Dayton 55-50 Sunday. Doing it with defense and ball control, UMass neutralized its flaws, most of which can be traced to the offense.
"We ran down the shot clock a few times. Sometimes we went a little overboard on that, but at least we weren't firing up shots in the first four seconds,'' UMass coach Derek Kellogg said.
Neither of those seemed like a definite for anyone who saw the University of Massachusetts junior center writhing in pain on the floor late in the second half of Sunday's 55-50 win over Dayton.
Carter, who was poked in the eye during a scrum for a loose ball, immediately brought both hands to his injured eye and spent several moments squirming in pain. But he was back at practice Monday and other than a couple of stitches around the eye and a blood spot on the white of it, he proclaimed himself no worse for wear and ready to play at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Xavier.
As John Calipari prepared to speak to reporters in the Craft Center on Monday, Auburn Coach Tony Barbee walked by on his way to Kentucky's practice. Huh?
Isn't Kentucky playing Auburn on Tuesday night?
"I told him he's welcome to stay," Calipari said. "It seems like we're running about the same thing. It's not like we're going to confuse him."
Barbee stayed for less than an hour. Then he had to leave to get to Auburn's practice later in the afternoon.
"I don't think it'd make a difference whether I was at (Kentucky's) practice or not," Barbee said.
"We're about helping each other," Barbee said. "I'm running what he's running. He's running what I'm running. Tomorrow when his team calls a play, our team will know what it is because we run the same thing."
Fresh from a victory over Dayton Sunday, the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team received more good news when Sean Carter appeared to sustain no lingering effects from an eye injury.
The 6-foot-9 center left the game with 1:41 to play, Poked in the right eye during a loose-ball scramble, Carter was in severe pain, twisting and writhing on the Mullins Center floor as trainers attended to him.
He left with an ice pack on his eye, which was swollen after the game. A team spokesman said Monday that Carter had recovered well, however, and was expected to play Wednesday night at Xavier.
You can watch Gaffney on NBA TV on Monday at 2:45 p.m., as part of the D-League Showcase in South Padre Island, Texas.
SNOOZE YOU LOSE?
Another day has found its way to evening which means that the team gets a little bit of time before another early practice tomorrow. For this blogger that means that I have 10.5 hours to watch the playoff game before the most annoying alarm clock goes off at a crisp 6:05 AM. At this morning's recovery practice numerous other attacks occurred, teammates are getting hit like crazy, by now you are wondering what could possibly be wrong, the answer: BEES! the casualty count is up to 5 and the potential for more attacks is always present as it seems we are swimming in their homeland. Aside from the near death experiences that happen each time we jump in the water the practice ended smoothly which means we got to go home to eat bagged cereal and nap by the pool. Of course the sun went dormant right as we decided make our way towards the pool which meant there was more reason to watch the first half of the Ravens game before practice.
We started practice with a good abs set which as usual included doing everything we could not to do what Russ said but then we hit the pool and the pain began. The D-Crew did a non stop IM set that did not look like any fun and the Mid-D crew did a pace 200s set that everyone really got into. The team left the pool in pain but that was nothing a car ride of reggae tone and a trip to subway would not cure. Now I am off to find the best hot tub in this resort to spend a few of my remaining 10.5 hours of rest in.
Side Story: Today something happened that I for one have never seen since I have been a member of this team. Russ always threatens to leave members behind that are not in the vans on time for practice and today... IT HAPPENED. Pete Sacco was sooooo tired from our morning recovery practice that he passed out in a hammock for 5 HOURS! that is 1 hour less than most of the team is getting every night! He went to his room and wondered why everyone was gone and than noticed that the vans left 15 minutes earlier. A punishment is still pending votes have been made for A) Distance Lane for a day B) 100s fly C) Cleaning the bathrooms at the pool or D)Nothing... results to come later.
Random thoughts:
-DO NOT watch the wild card round of the playoffs with any patriot fan while their team has a bye...friends can't be turned on mute like the TV can.
-It is pointless to fill up your water bottle with ice before practice as it will be warm before practice even starts
-Why don't I ever see the Puerto Rico quarter in the United States?
-Tang is an equal or better substitute for Powerade.
A B&O Production
Be Great
By Kyle Jennings
Here are a few stories on the game with mentions of Zywicki:
• Seattle Times: Washington Stealth opens lacrosse season with victory
• Denver Post (with quotes from Zywicki): Mammoth lose home opener as power play lifts Stealth
• Everett Herald: Stealth win on Duch's OT goal
• Bleacher Report: Stealth Begin Championship Defense With 'Mammoth' Win: NLL Week 1 Recap
Zywicki was hurt in the opener and didn't play in Sunday's loss to Calgary. Zywicki took a hard knock during that game and was scratched from Sunday's contest. "We're not quite sure what's happing there yet," Coach Chris Hall said of Zywicki's injury. "... He's so key to our power play at times and our power play was pretty average tonight at best."
With the Boston Blazers, Jack Reid had a groundball and won a face-off in a 10-6 road win at the Philadelphia Wings on Saturday.
Here are stories about the game:
• Boston Globe: UMass thrilled with 'ugly' win
• Boston Herald: Minutemen pretty happy with ugly win
• Worcester Telegram: UMass wins league opener at foul line
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: Minutemen open A-10 play with win over Dayton at Mullins Center
• Daily Hampshire Gazette: Correia's return provides lift for UMass
• Springfield Republican: For the image of UMass basketball, beating Dayton could not have come at a better time
• Springfield Republican: With grit if not grace, UMass shuts down Dayton
• Daily Collegian: UMass defeats Dayton, 55-50, in first conference game
• Dayton Daily News: Poor shooting, lack of energy sinks Dayton
• Dayton Daily News: Flyers say rebounding hurt by lack of urgency
• ESPN: Massachusetts 55, Dayton 50
• WWLP NBC22: Defense dominates, UMass downs Dayton
• FSN Ohio: Ugly A-10 Battle in Amherst; Flyers fall to the Minutemen
PARA(DICE)
As the seventh day of our training trip draws to a close, we find ourselves rapidly approaching our return to Amherst. With the second cycle of of our three-cycle training program complete, the team has maintained the same consistency in our workout intensity. This morning, during our only practice of the day, we completed a long warm-up and played a game much like the the Three Kings Game. This particular game also revolved entirely upon chance so naturally we didn't allow Brian Schmidt within a 10 foot radius of the various factors that decided what our set would be. In addition to rolling dice to determine how much we swam, we also had to pick a number from a stopwatch and select a card from a deck of cards. Despite it being the end of another intense cycle, we once again grinded it out in anticipation of our afternoon off.
After practice the entire team packed up and drove out to the picturesque Luqillo Beach. I think it's safe to say that this place makes me never want to go back to Cape Cod or any beach for that matter ever again (even you, Jersey Shore). We have no sympathy for Tom Hanks in Castaway because yes, he was stuck on a similar type of island by himself but he atleast had a volleyball to play with. We were stuck throwing a coconut around like a football for a half hour. Actually, we threw it around for about 2 hours and it was probably the most fun we had all day. But I digress, besides playing catch we participated in normal, mature activity; throwing sand at eachother, a no-holds-barred battle royal in the water (complete with drop-kicks and powerbombs galore), and of course, splashing the girls team and running away giddily. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are the future leaders of America. Embrace it.
After the obligatory taking (and inevitable ruining) of pictures we finally headed back to San Juan where most of us had a quick dinner and got back just in time to watch the NFL playoff games. Spending all that time in the sun today naturally takes a lot out of us so it looks like another quiet night of recovery to prepare for the next and final training cycle before we head back to Amherst.
That is all.
Random Observations:
-"We ice bro's, not shoulders." -Eric Zeimetz
-There is never an inappropriate time for Men at Work
-Seahawks? Really?
-It's much harder for swimmers to enjoy themselves at the beach than normal people (a lot of awkward and confused standing around is usually involved).
-Seriously...7-9??
By Trevor Ziegler
Follow UMass Field Hockey on Facebook
Follow UMass Field Hockey on Twitter
On Friday, UMass announced the hiring of Carla Tagliente as field hockey head coach. Tagliente takes over a program that has won the Atlantic 10 title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in three out of the last four years. Below is coverage:
2005 grad and All-American Jeff Zywicki is back with the Washington Stealth after winning the NLL title last season. He finished the 2010 regular season with 30 goals and 41 assists for 71 points and grabbed 41 loose balls. He scored nine goals and added four assists and eight loose balls in the playoffs.
Boston plays at the Philadelphia Wings on Saturday while Washington hosts Calgary on Sunday.
It's not every day that a men's basketball team enters conference play with an 8-5 record, trying to convince its fans the sky isn't falling. But that is what the University of Massachusetts will try to prove, starting with Sunday's Atlantic 10 opener against Dayton at the Mullins Center.
"Our backs are against the wall, but guys have been coming to practice with unbelievable intensity,'' UMass senior guard Anthony Gurley said. "The chips are stacked against us, but we have to put the last game behind us. We're a family, we lose together and we win together.''
After the toughest week of the season so far, University of Massachusetts senior guard Anthony Gurley knows little is expected of the Minutemen as they start Atlantic 10 play at the Mullins Center.
"We know we're pretty much all we got. No one's really expecting us to do much in conference play. But we're going to go out there and surprise some people this year," Gurley said. "I think everyone has a chip on their shoulder. We're all kind of embarrassed about what happened the other night. That was uncharacteristic of us. We still think we have a lot to prove."
GRINDTIME/PRIMETIME
Hola muchachos y muchachas. This is the B of the B&O blogging from sunny (ish) San Juan. Thursday night was unusually quiet around the team hotel. From what I saw, the majority of the team made good use of the hotel's hot tubs, beds, and tv's in order to rest up for Thursday morning practice. After finishing this morning's practice, I'm sure none of us regret being lazy for one night. Today looks like the first actual beach day of the trip and we plan on taking full advantage of it (after a quick nap, of course). Two more practices left until our next single-practice day and the team is making plans to visit one of the nicer beaches around the island.
As the trip progresses it seems as though the sanity level of our team is rapidly decreasing. Though it may cause concern to outsiders, this is a normal trend around this time of year. It's the most identifiable on the pool deck where we could easily be mistaken for a team of four year olds jacked up on endless cans of Mountain Dew. I, for one, have come to terms with my temporary immaturity and have recently learned to embrace my gift (curse?).
Throughout the trip, Russ has been giving cryptic hints and ambiguous answers when we ask him about what the next practice will be and today was no different. Therefore, I am off to take a nap in order to maintain at least some level of sanity before tonight's inevitable grind.
Random Observations:
-The George Foreman Grill is the greatest thing to happen to the Earth since oxygen.
-Bagged cereal tastes better.
-The maximum number of laptops in one room during a training trip should be 1 (not four, freshmen).
-All reggaeton sounds exactly the same (seriously).
Live long and prosper, UMass Aquatics.
B&O OUT.
By Trevor Ziegler
NO PAIN NO GAIN
We woke up today to hopes of terrific weather for the first time since we have been here and it seemed as though our dreams were going to come true. During the first practice of the day the sun was out and spirits were high and with good reason it was a semi recovery practice. The water was still colder than anyone wanted but that will happen when the sun hides for an entire week. Once we got back to the hotel and were ready to catch the rays and relax for the day the sun disappeared behind cloudy skies which just meant more reruns of sportscenter for most of the team.
The second practice was a grind for all the practice groups, we did some IM work in the Mid-D and D groups. Everyone in the Distance lane left the pool in the most pain since we arrived and that will happen when the number in front of the IM is 400.
On the ride back the question was asked to Russ, "What is practice going to be like tomorrow?" and his response was "Get a good nights sleep and find out." With that being said, I'm Out.
Be Great
A B&O Production
By Kyle JenningsTHREE KINGS DAY
Today was our annual Three Kings workout where we all get in teams and risk it all to swim a 50 meter sprint and usually end up losing and get the pleasure of swimming a 200 meter race instead. Brian Schmidt's trip continued to be unlucky as he and his group had to do the most 200s today at 5 which brought him to a total of 20 over his 4 year career (UMass Swimming Record). The other Senior Captain, Dan Backler, had the luckiest practice ever recorded as he and his group got all 50s. The angriest sprinter award goes to Beau Garufi this year as he was none to pleased with his team's continual gambling and losing thus giving him more 200s then a sprinter ever wants to do.
After the workout we had the rest of the afternoon off, some of the guys went to the rain forest as others decided to stay around the poolside and lounge around taking fairly regular trips to the hot tub because the sun is rarely out and the wind is always blowing.
The swim team would like to give a shout out to Richard Huntley and his family, he is an alumni of the program and while we are here we are using the Huntley gym to lift.
When I was given access to this blog Russ had to give me a password, anyone care to guess at what he made it?
A B&O Production
By Kyle Jennings
A year after finishing runner-up in the Buck Buchanan Award voting, Eastern Washington's J.C. Sherritt reeled it in. The voting was tight, but on Thursday night, Sherritt was named the 2010 winner of the defensive player of the year award in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Sports Network presents and Fathead.com sponsors the 16th annual Buchanan Award.
Sherritt, second last year to James Madison defensive end Arthur Moats (now a linebacker with the Buffalo Bills), captured 24 of the 130 first-place votes and 253 points. Wofford junior defensive end Ameet Pall and Western Illinois senior linebacker Kyle Glazier tied for second place with 234 points.
New Hampshire sophomore linebacker Matt Evans (203) and Massachusetts junior linebacker Tyler Holmes (189) rounded out the top five.
Click below for complete voting.
Before the Ravens' Matt Lawrence became an all-around back at the University of Massachusetts, he played at Connecticut from 2003-04 in his home state. His coach was Randy Edsall, who was named Maryland's coach on Monday.
Not that it was any surprise, but Nuggets rookie Gary Forbes wasn't waived Wednesday. That means his contract will be guaranteed with Denver for the rest of the season.
"I'm blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity," Forbes said before the Nuggets played the Clippers at the Staples Center. "A lot of guys got waived today. It's a testament to hard work."
The hardworking, fun- loving Forbes has been a breath of fresh air for the Nuggets at shooting guard, averaging 5.9 points and 12.7 minutes entering Wednesday's game. Coach George Karl has become increasingly confident in calling on Forbes in spot situations. In the Nuggets' game Monday against Houston, Forbes didn't play until the fourth quarter and instantly provided a spark, scoring seven points in five minutes.
On Tuesday, safety James Ihedigbo continued to make strides following a right knee and a high ankle sprain that has limited the player the last couple of games. The Jets held Ihedigbo out of Sunday's regular season finale against the Bills as a precaution.
"If I needed to play, I would have been able to and could have," Ihedigbo said. "But the coaches wanted to hold me out and let me rest up and heal for the playoffs."
The UMass swimming teams are in Puerto Rico for their annual training trip. Periodically throughout the trip, members of the team will be posting blog entries to update fans on how the trip is going. Below is Kyle Jennings' first entry from Tuesday night. You can find more blog entries at UMassAquatics.org.
FUN IN THE RAIN
It all started with a hectic trip to the airport with our Captain, Brian Schmidt, losing his wallet minutes before we were supposed to be on the 4 AM bus to Logan. He apparently wrecked his apartment in minutes searching for it and then came on the bus late with his passport only to find his wallet in his book bag...the bus was quick to show their appreciation. Logan was a mess as usual but we got out eventually and landed in Puerto Rico safe and sound (sadly Russ made it with us as well so we will actually be doing some work while we are here).
The Trip has opened with 2 days of successful practices. The sprinters did a pretty intense workout this afternoon from what I could see, it involved quite a bit of dry land along with wearing clothes in the pool. As a Distance/Mid-D swimmer I assumed it was just a game of dress up but from the looks on their faces after practice it must have been pretty tough. The D-Lane did a 2000 meter pull for time this morning which could not have been comfortable. The Mid-D group as has had a few very solid practices. Eric "zippy" Zeimetz has put up a strong performance in the 100s sprint we have done Dan Backler has been no slouch in the Breaststroke department.
It has never been harder to get in the water in the morning as the water is colder than Boyden, which I did not think was possible and the sun has yet to be seen while we are at practice. It has rained a decent amount since we arrived and the wind is blowing a strong cold breeze. Some of us have even worn sweatshirts by the pool during our off time.
Everyone seems to be having a good time, the freshman have been running around with their heads cut off as its their first training trip but all is good with the rest of us. Tomorrow we have our annual Three Kings workout so look forward to an update tomorrow.
That is all for now, I am off to go see Arkansas beat Ohio State.
UUUUUUUUUUUUU
A B&O Production
By Kyle Jennings
The team confirmed the move with CBS 3 Springfield Wednesday afternoon. Gaffney told CBS 3 Springfield Sports he decided to leave his team in Turkey in December in order to pursue his dream of returning to the NBA.
He was on the Celtics' roster towards the end of the last season, before being cut in the preseason in 2010.
Camby is fifth in the NBA in rebounds per game 11.6 per game. He has at least 10 rebounds in 23 of his 32 games this season. He also had 20 rebounds vs. Utah last week.
Please join us every Wednesday for the UMass Sports Luncheon. This week's event takes place at the Marriott Center on the 11th floor of the Campus Center. On Wednesday, the guest speakers will be coach Toot Cahoon and Executive Associate Athletic Director Tim Kenney. The luncheon starts at 12:15 p.m., Please call 1-413-545-4930 for more information.
The luncheons run from 12:15 p.m., to 1:15 p.m., and are $11 per person with a salad-to-dessert buffet. Enjoy great food and a friendly atmosphere while learning the latest about UMass Athletics. Come Join Us!
Pick up a two hour Campus Center parking pass for only $2.00 when you pay for your meal.
The Blue Devils will need to be good tonight to beat the Minutemen (8-4), who have won the last two meetings between the teams by an average of nearly 19 points. Central had won the two prior meetings early in the decade, however, by a point each. Central has fallen by two points or less three times this year, but is on a three-game winning streak. This is the fourth of six straight at home for Central, which won the first three.
"We had a couple of close losses that we probably should have won, but you take that as a learning experience," junior forward Ken Horton said. "You try and correct those mistakes."
For the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team, November was busy and encouraging. December was light on games, and sobering on results. But January will be serious and revealing.
"I think the guys are ready to start playing games and stop listening to me talking in practice,'' coach Derek Kellogg said. "But the reality is, it's time to get into a regular schedule, play some games and see where we stand.''
Monday night's game at Central Connecticut State is the last non-conference test for UMass (8-4). The Minutemen have played only four games in the last four weeks.
After getting nine and 11-day breaks before its last two games, the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team will have just two days between Friday's win over Boston University and tonight's 7 p.m. game at Central Connecticut.
"We had so much time off in December," UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. "It's not bad to be playing some games and letting some of these guys mature to see where we're at."
The game is UMass' last nonconference game. Kellogg is hoping for a good effort to use as a launching pad toward Atlantic 10 play, which begins Saturday against Dayton at 2 p.m. at the Mullins Center.
It was your typical post-practice media scrum. Guys and gals from print media, online, TV, radio. Oh, and Gary Forbes, the 6-foot-7 Nuggetsguard.
Forbes had wandered over from the Nuggets locker room, noticed the huddle around coach George Karl and figured he'd join in. So he pretended his water bottle was a microphone and stuck it in Karl's face.
Benjamin Hochman, one of our Nuggets writers, couldn't resist.
"What about Forbes?" he asked Karl. "What are you thoughts on Gary Forbes?"
Karl looked up, saw Forbes, and smiled. "He took two of the crappiest shots I've ever seen him take in the Philadelphia game," Karl said.
"Ever?" Forbes asked.
"Ever," Karl said. He sighed, and let out a wry smile. "I don't know. I thought about waiving him afterward."
"Those are some strong words. 'Ever'?" Forbes asked.
"Ever," Karl reiterated with a straight face.
"Coach, you've won a thousand games," Forbes said. "And I took the two crappiest shots ever?"
"Ever," Karl said, smiling, "and I think (the assistant coaches) would agree."
Tony Gaffney. The Somerset High grad and the last preseason cut of the champion Lakers in 2009, signs with the Celtics in the spring in time to practice with Boston and to sit on the Celtics' bench (in spiffy street clothes) for the NBA Finals against the Lakers. Tony gets released from the C's during the 2010 preseason and plays pro ball in Turkey.
