University of Massachusets Athletics
Ask Ian Answers
 |  Athletic Director Ian McCaw |
May 7, 2003
Dear Friends:
Thanks for the questions. Cheer on the UMass spring teams as they compete for various championships and participate in post-season play in the coming weeks!
Ian
Dear Ian,
I'm very happy to see you reach out to alumni/fans to get input on the future of UMass Athletics.
Of late, however, I'm troubled that you would consider changing the UMass nickname/colors/mascot.
If it's to enhance sales of UMass merchandise, remember this...when UMass won the D-1AA football championship and when UMass was winning big in basketball during the 90's, it seemed to me that UMass stuff was everywhere. Even now, with the Lacrosse team winning, I'm asked by co-workers in Connecticut about getting UMass shirts and other merchandise.
It seems to me that winning teams sell merchandise regardless of the nickname, mascot or color scheme. Your focus ought to be on fielding the best UMass teams possible not worrying about colors and nicknames.
As an alum and long-time Basketball season ticket holder, I'm aginst making those kinds of changes. It's not good to mess with tradition.
Why are you considering this?
Larry Smolarz
Springfield, MA
Larry,
The athletic department has recently retained the services of Phoenix Design Works, a leading athletic logo development and branding company based in New York. Phoenix has been charged with updating and improving the UMass logos and marks and assisting the University in increasing its licensing and merchandising revenue. The company has developed a preliminary series of recommendations that it recently passed by eight focus groups that represented various UMass constituencies. We received some very valuable feedback and look forward to a very successful outcome of this project which is scheduled to be completed by late May.
There is no question that competitive success of teams is an important variable in selling merchandise and generating licensing revenues. However, it is equally important that an athletic mascot be attractive and desirable for fans to wear.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ian
Dear Ian:
Both my wife ('83) and I ('81) think the name "Minuteman" is perfect for UMass athletic teams. It means everything Massachusetts and everything that an athlete should be: well drilled, always ready to perform and loyal to his/ her school, state and teammates.
Joseph S. Forte, Jr.
Gardner, Mass.
Joseph,
Thanks for your question.
As you have noticed, the athletic department has not tied its marketing efforts to the Minuteman name or mascot. Although the Minuteman is undeniably a highly valued and respected symbol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, New England and for the University, it does present limitations as an athletic mascot.
Our athletic teams are recognized almost exclusively as UMass. Moreover, the student-athlete focus group who reviewed the Phoenix Design Works materials suggested that many student-athletes do not closely identify with either Minutemen or Minutewomen.
Ian
Ian:
Are there try outs for the football and baseball teams? And when are they held during the year?
John Abraham
Holmdel N.J.
John,
Thanks for your question. You will need to contact the head coach's office (the numbers are available on the Web site at umassathletics.com) to learn about tryout information. Most UMass teams offer some pre-season tryout opportunity.
Good luck!
Ian
Dear Ian:
For a new nickname, how about the UMass Codfish?
-What animal hangs prominently in the Massachusetts statehouse? The codfish.
-What is Massachusetts, the Bay Sate, where you find cod, which has had cultural and economic significance since the state was founded, and before.
-Some say "The Minutemen/woman is unique", I don't think so, the name has always been in the shadow of the Patriots.
-Cod as cool? As cool as the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, no one has been crazy about having a Minuteman on their baseball cap, but a Codfish would be cool. WWII subs were named after fish and the drawings used for the sub emblems are very cool.
-The Minutemen/women always had a gender problem, i.e. the need for two names, there are boy and girl codfish, but no such name problem.
-Codfish don't denote anything militaristic.
-Most Massachusetts residents, and thus UMass students, are from the Coastal/Bay/Cape Cod area, thus Codfish provides a better connection to the main population and student centers of the state.
I am a little surprised one of the other UMass campuses didn't think of the Cod, especially UMass Boston. What are they the Beacons, how lame.
Good Luck in your name search.
Kevin Friedland
Amherst, Mass.
Kevin,
Thanks for your e-mail and suggestion of a Cod to be used as a mascot name. We have received a number of suggestions and an informal fan survey is taking place at umasshoops.com. Please feel free to access that site and share your ideas. We are looking forward to hearing what UMass fans suggest that the athletic department consider.
Ian
Dear Ian:
I'd like to suggest a new nickname, the Fisher Cat. They used to be a part of the Pioneer Valley wildlife many years ago. Thanks.
Doug
Doug,
Thank you for your suggestion of a Fisher for the UMass mascot. This animal certainly has some attractive characteristics.
I understand your concern about 'gray wolves' being too generic. However, it was recently pointed out to me that the Minnesota Timberwolves led the NBA in merchandise sales during their inaugural year and currently rank fourth. They have reported considerable success with their logo identity and branding efforts.
Thanks for your comments.
Ian
Hi Ian,
I have heard that they reprinted Jim McCoy's jersey, and i was wondering if you happen to know how to obtain one?
Thank you
Stephanie Yong Pratt
Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Stephanie,
At this point, we do not have a Jim McCoy replica jersey. We are exploring creating a line of replicas for next year. Please check back with us next Fall.
Ian