University of Massachusets Athletics

Ask Ian Answers

Ask Ian Answers Athletic Director Ian McCaw responds to your questions
Athletic Director Ian McCaw

Athletic Director Ian McCaw

April 1, 2003

Dear Ian:

What are your goals to getting UMass Basketball back to its elite status?

Luke Schaffer
Trenton, N.J.

Luke:

Thanks for your e-mail.

In my view, the area where our program most struggled in the late 1990's was recruiting. With that, the most critical task at hand for our basketball program is to recruit and develop student-athletes capable of performing at a level that places the UMass basketball program among the top couple of programs in the Atlantic-10.

Coach Lappas and his staff are working diligently to this end and there are some encouraging signs. Artie Bowers, a nationally-regarded Top 100 recruit and McDonald's All-America finalist, has signed for next Fall. We anticipate another couple of high quality signings this spring. In addition, Rashaun Freeman and Stephen Briggs, two highly-regarded players sat out this season and will be eligible next fall.

We are working on a variety of other initiatives including developing an appropriate schedule, enhancing facilities and marketing that will also play an important role in the development of the program.

Thanks for your support!

Ian

Mr. McCaw

I have one question. I would like to apply for a job in the fall time working at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Where do I go about doing this? Also hope we move to 1-A someday.

Thanks,
Jason Kristek
Northampton, Mass.

Jason,

Thanks for your e-mail. UMass is a tremendous place to work. We enjoy a wonderful environment and seek individuals who possess a strong work ethic, loyalty, integrity, and are team oriented. You should contact Jim Patulak, Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and express your interest in working at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.

Thanks for your interest in UMass!

Ian

When do you recruit potential athletes for your program? I'm an athlete but don know how the process works.

Anna Osicho
Topeka, Kan.

Anna,

Recruiting has become a year around endeavor for coaches where they recruit during the traditional playing seasons as well as during non-traditional seasons in order to identify and attract the best and brightest student- athletes to UMass. You should feel free to e-mail or call the head coach of the sport that you participate in and learn more about our program at UMass. You can also look on our athletic website at www.umassathletics.com.

Thanks for your e-mail.

Ian

Dear Ian,

As a UMass alum from the class of 1977, I am very disappointed to see how our men's basketball program has gone down since John Calipari left. His teams in the mid-1990s were a great source of pride for all alumni in the Boston area and beyond.

I know it can be done, but frankly I don't see any real reason to be optimistic in the near term, unless the school makes a commitment to return to the glory days. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Michael Ostrowsky
Briantree, Mass.

Michael:

Thanks for your letter.

I can assure you that the commitment is in place to ensure that the basketball program returns to conference and national prominence. We have very competitive salaries, budgets and scholarship allocations. In addition, the Mullins Center is an outstanding facility and will be enhanced by a $2 million renovation to the locker room, sports medicine center and strength and conditioning center this summer. As you know, UMass is an outstanding institution and we are located in one of America's top college towns.

The issue of the decline of the program in the late 1990's is not in any way a result of lack of institutional or athletic department commitment. As the aforementioned response to Luke suggests, for some reason the recruiting began to suffer in the late 1990's and we are diligently working to attract more talented student-athletes to UMass.

Thanks for your support!

Ian