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University of Massachusets Athletics
Ask Ian Answers
 |  Athletic Director Ian McCaw |
Jan. 6, 2003
Dear Ian,
I recently took a trip to UMass and had the opportunity to see the new softball/soccer complex. It was great. However, I went to see the baseball field and I was disappointed with the condition it was in. You can't expect Coach Stone to bring in top recruits if the field is in bad condition, especially in the fall. The fall season is very important in the recruiting process.
Why isn't the baseball field being taken care of with the same standards as the softball/soccer complex?
As a former player and coach for the baseball program at UMass I am willing to help in anyway possible. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Shaun Skeffington
Willington, Conn.
Shaun:
We are very proud of both Rudd Field and the new softball complex. Both fields have been wonderful additions to the athletics facilities here at UMass. As you correctly point out, having high quality facilities is a critical part of the recruiting process. In my view, facilities represent a program's "point of difference." More than anything else, it communicates to a prospective student-athlete the level of commitment an institution places upon its athletics programs.
I had the opportunity to watch part of one baseball game this Fall and quite frankly, I didn't pay a great deal of attention to the condition of the outfield. However, it is imperative that we both develop and maintain very high quality athletics facilities if we are to reach the level of success that we desire.
Thanks for your question and comments!
Ian
Hi Ian:
Usually when a team changes the look of their uniforms, it coincides with an extra marketing boost intended to lift sales. There was a time several years ago when UMass had all kinds of Nike made merchandise for sale throughout the region at many different stores. Now that the look of our uniforms has again changed, there are fans who would like to get the newer shorts, jerseys, etc.
It is somewhat upsetting/disappointing to enter a place like Nike Town, or the Holyoke Mall only to see an abundance of UConn, North Carolina and Duke gear filling the shelves. Less than three years ago, UMass was still on the rack. Why has that changed, and will any merchandise become available in the near future? Even as a school like Michigan struggles to 10 win seasons, it is still easier to find their jerseys than it is ours.
Thanks.
Daniel Finer
Boston, Mass.
Dan:
As you may know, we are in the process of hiring a brand development firm to work with our department in order to review and enhance our identity system including logos, marks and colors. We intend to introduce a high quality, modern set of identifiers for UMass Athletics during the Summer of 2003 that will enhance our merchandising, licensing and marketing efforts.
At the same time, as you correctly point out, we need to improve the distribution of UMass merchandise. I share your concern about UMass merchandise not being available in several key retail outlets. We are working with the University's Licensing Director to address this situation, and we plan on embarking on a marketing effort to reach out to retailers in designated markets and encourage them to carry UMass merchandise.
You have made an excellent observation!
Ian
Mr. McCaw:
I would first like to say good luck for a great start to hopefully a long tenure in Amherst.
My question deals with two different things, the first is have you considered cutting football?? The former athletic director once said that football is an area that has great drawing power, but on the other hand it seems to be a major finical burden on the athletic program.
My other question is since the hockey team is having a great season, are there any plans to put a greater marketing and promotional effort into hockey instead of basketball or football?? Thank youvery much for your time!!
Barry Kessler
Riverwoods, Ill.
Barry:
Thanks for the warm wishes, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the University of Massachusetts as its Director of Athletics.
The football program at UMass has enjoyed considerable success in recent years culminating in winning the I-AA National Championship in 1998. The program has a very strong base of support from alumni, friends, students and the community. Moreover, it makes important contributions in the areas of alumni relations, institutional marketing, development, school spirit and student life at UMass. Bottom line: we look forward to this program building on its tradition of success in the years to come.
We are in the process of developing a strategic plan for the athletics department. One area of focus will be the creation of well targeted marketing initiatives for our revenue sport programs. Clearly, we believe that there is considerable opportunity to enhance our marketing efforts in ice hockey. I was very excited about the attendance and enthusiasm at the last home game (5-4 OT win versus Boston University on Dec. 6). My sense is that there is a very strong constituency for college hockey in Western Massachusetts, and by way of the strong start by the team there is a wonderful opportunity to build upon the existing fan base.
Thanks for your strong support!
Ian
Mr McCaw:
As someone who has been attending hockey games regularly since the program was restarted in 1993, I'm thrilled with the success the team has had this season. As this success continues and the team's profile grows, can we look forward to seeing traditionally strong hockey teams for out of conference games at the Mullins?
The team has travelled recently to play games at Michigan State and Colorado College. It would be great to see such teams and others like Michigan, North Dakota, and Minnesota in Amherst. Do you see this as being a reality in the near future?
A couple of other hockey questions; do you see Hockey East expanding in the near future? Perhaps if Rhode Island adds hockey to take advantage of their new facilities?
Also, do you ever forsee UMass developing a women's hockey team and taking advantage of the open invitation to the newly formed women's Hockey East?
Thanks,
Mark Coogan
Northampton, Mass.
Mark:
I couldn't agree more. The ice hockey program has had a tremendous start to the season and there is considerable excitement surrounding the team.
I wish I could be more encouraging about the prospects of scheduling teams such as Michigan, North Dakota and Minnesota at the Mullins Center. These programs generate such substantial revenue from home games that draw close to 10,000 fans that they rarely play on the road other than participating in very select tournaments. Coach Cahoon has done an excellent job of building the schedule and we have had attractive home non-conference games against Nebraska-Omaha and Dartmouth earlier this year.
Hockey East has positioned itself as the premiere college hockey league in the nation. With that, there is currently very little sentiment for change or departure from the success that the league has enjoyed in recent years. If in fact the University of Rhode Island moves forward with plans to begin Division I hockey, in my opinion, it would present Hockey East with a very attractive prospective future member that would be worthy of serious consideration.
At this point, we do not have any plans to add a varsity women's hockey program at UMass. We are focused on excelling in the 22 sports that we currently sponsor.
Thanks for your questions.
Ian
Dear Ian:
How do you like you UMass? Do you think the basketball team is headed in the right direction.
Sean Thompson
Amherst, Mass.
Sean:
Our family very much enjoys the Amherst area, and I am delighted to have the privilege of returning to my alma mater. This is an outstanding institution that enjoys many tremendous assets including the strong leadership of Chancellor Lombardi. With that, I am confident that we will enjoy great success throughout our athletic program in the years to come.
I am very encouraged by what I have observed from both the men's and women's basketball programs this year. Moreover, I anticipate both teams competing for their respective Atlantic-10 championships and post-season play this season and in future years.
On the women's side, Coach Dacko and her staff have done a remarkable job in just their first year of bringing a senior-laden team together while implementing a new system. The team is playing together, demonstrating confidence, and performing at a very high level. The community seems very excited about the program and hopefully more fans will turn out to the Mullins Center as we enter the New Year!
Coach Lappas, his staff and the student-athletes have been working extremely hard and the success that they have enjoyed in the last three games is well deserved. Clearly, the team has exhibited dramatic improvement as the season has progressed. The play of the three freshman (Jeff Viggiano, Gabe Lee and Mike Lasme) seems to have provided the spark necessary to get us on track heading into conference play. Once again, we need our fans to turn out in great numbers to support the team and cheer them on to victory!
Go UMass!
Ian
Dear Ian:
I attended the men's basketball game Saturday against Marshall. It happened to be family day, which meant ticket sales were up. Wow, it was pretty sad. My idea is to move men's basketball back to the Cage, the women are already playing at the Cage. Look at the money the athletic department could save and maybe volleyball and/or another sport could return. How soon before volleyball returns to UMass?
Nancy Lashway
Leyeden, Mass.
Nancy:
At this point, we do not have any plans to add additional intercollegiate teams. We have created a volleyball club program and it seems to have been well received by UMass students.
We have addressed the difficulty of the men's basketball team playing in the Cage in previous Ask Ian threads. Unfortunately, we do not have adequate seating to accommodate the fan base. The women's basketball game versus Villanova played in the Cage last Fall was successful and we may consider another women's game in the Cage at a future time.
Thanks for your support!
Ian
Dear Mr. McCaw,
Next year, I think that you should have a holiday tournament. The Holiday Inn should sponsor it. It would be good so the teams can stay there. Each team would get a paid trip to the Basketball Hall of Fame. It should be four days long and there would be eight teams. I think that the small teams should play at the cage, while the bigger teams get to play at Mullins. The final could be held at either the Civic Center or Mullins.
It should be a men's basketball tournament because you would make some money off of it. Lots of people might come out to see the games first you should ask tough mid-majors to come then other teams that are tougher might want to come and help improve their RPI. UMass would be the host team. Do you like my Idea?
Nick Mone
Amherst, Mass.
Nick:
I will give you an A for the idea. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to schedule basketball tournaments especially on campus sites. Most mid-major to major programs will maximize the number of home games for both revenue and competitive reasons, and as a result are not interested in this type of tournament.
I was recently looking at North Carolina State's schedule. The first road game they played was against UMass on January 2. Florida State, also an ACC team, plays just one non-conference road game. Without being able to attract visible, major programs to a tournament, it becomes very difficult for it to succeed in terms of attendance.
Thanks for the questions this week and let's hope that 2003 brings UMass fans plenty of excitement and good times!
Ian