University of Massachusets Athletics
Ask Ian Answers
 |  Athletic Director Ian McCaw |
June 16, 2003
Editor's Note: Thank you again for some great questions. Keep those e-mails coming, as they are going to serve as the basis for a letter Ian writes to our friends and fans in this space. Watch for our first letter in July, which will include a review of the 2002-03 academic year. Subsequently, we will post monthly letters that discuss pertinent topics about UMass Athletics that you, the fan, want to hear about.
We appreciate your continued support of our programs. As Ian writes below, now more than ever, we need the help of our alumni, friends, fans and partners, as well as the legislature's financial support if we expect the academic and athletic programs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' flagship campus to compete effectively with our peers in New England and beyond.
Thank you for your continued support of UMass Athletics!
Dear Mr. McCaw:
In light of what is going on with B.C., Syracuse, and Miami, what is UMass doing to better itself in regards to conference affiliation?
Nick Salmon
Fall River, Mass.
Nick,
Certainly the on-going discussion about conference realignment and the possible expansion of the ACC is dominating the headlines. However, at this point, Miami, Boston College and Syracuse have yet to receive a formal invitation to join the ACC. Until this occurs, the Big East is not in a position to negotiation and or seriously consider other prospective members.
Thanks for your question.
Ian
Ian,
I noticed in the most recent Maroon & White that the Friends of UMass Football is starting up. Great idea. But I am wondering what happened to the Friends of UMass Hockey. I had contributed for the previous 2 years. But I do not recall receiving any recent communication with regards to the end of the year, recruits for next year etc. Is it still in place and viable? I hope so. I enjoyed the newsletters and well as supporting the hockey program. Being from east of I-495, I hope that there will be some mini-ticket packages of say 3-5 games for the coming season. From this distance, every home game is unrealistic. But a few is reasonable.
John Pride
Westford, Mass.
John,
The Friends of Hockey is now referred to as the Pond Club and you can get more information by contacting the UMAF at 413-545-4290. There is a considerable amount of excitement about the hockey program and the Pond Club has enjoyed wonderful growth this year.
We will look forward to seeing you at some games this season.
Ian
Dear Ian:
As an incoming freshman swimmer, I have heard rumors of more athletic programs being cut. Are there plans to cut more? And if so, which ones and when?
Michael Herald
Chambersburg, Pa.
Michael,
With the anticipated $28 -$40 million budget reduction for UMass-Amherst and subseqent $2.5 million cut targeted for Athletics there is considerable anxiety surrounding individual athletic programs.
At this point, there are no plans to eliminate any programs. However, we will be developing a plan to address the budget cut in the coming weeks and expect an announcement to be made by early July.
Best wishes and we look forward to you joining the UMass family!
Ian
Hello Mr. McCaw,
As a graduate of UMass and and former scholarship football player I'm concerned about the future of the football program. I fear that UMass will be left behind as schools like UConn and other take their programs to D1. If their is a change in the Big East could UMass be considered for a potential back fill for one of the three schools leaving and upgrade to Division 1 football?
It is truly time to make the jump.
Timothy Nye
Madison, Conn.
Tim,
Thanks for your comments and question. In order for UMass football to successfully transition to Division I-A there are three pre-requisites.
First, it is necessary for UMass to gain access to a Division I-A conference.
Second, this move will require significant funding including both capital and operational support.
Third, UMass alumni, friends and fans will need to embrace this opportunity and commit to purchase season tickets and make donations in support of this initiative. There is considerable discussion taking about the prospects for UMass to move in this direction.
Thanks for your support!
Ian
Dear Ian:
Here's a plan to ensure the survival of UMASS athletics and the successful move to D1 football
Publicize our plight. Press releases, interviews, generate internet interest. If we could generate 1/2 as much interest in this cause as we did with the school mascot controversy...we would be doing well.
Leverage national sentiment regarding college sports; conference realignment; big bullies vs. little guys; save Eastern schools sports programs.
State legislative budget cuts have decimated the school and its athletic programs, the state has many private colleges and the emphasis on them has been to the detriment of UM.
UMass has been a proponent and leader in Title IX. We have a highly successful women's program...they stand to lose as well.
Ask for donations to build endowment of athletic program so that our future is ensured.
Set up something on E Bay. Make it easy to make online contributions by using Pay Pal and/or VISA. Display on the official UMass Websites a prominent link for making donating to the fund. People should be able to do this online.
Sell Dr. J throwback jerseys with proceeds going to university. Sell old and new logo gear as well.
Doug Stanger
Culver City, Calif.
Doug,
Thanks for all of your ideas and interest in UMass Athletics. We have generated a considerable amount of attention with the discussion of I-A football as well as the budget cut for Athletics. We are in the midst of discussion regarding both issues at this time. We will certainly keep our alumni and friends posted as these issues are resolved in the coming weeks.
Best wishes.
Ian
Hi Ian-
I've been a huge fan of UMass softball as long as I can remember. I feel the girls do not get what the deserve half of the time and either does Elaine, recognition wise. The girls went further in Regions this year then any other since Danielle Henderson's class.
I just want to put out there that this team needs the help of many to get a stadium on the beautiful field Elaine built and Ian we need your help. What can be done for these girls who are outstanding, these girls that come from all over the country to play softball for UMASS? I hope you can get the word out about how much this team needs our support. Thanks Ian!
Michelle Daily
Amherst, Mass.
Dear Michelle,
Coach Sortino and the softball program serve as great sources of pride for all UMass alumni and friends. The softball team had four terrific seniors who excelled both academically and athletically during their careers in Amherst, and they will be missed.
As you may know, Brandi Cross was recently named the Academic All-American of the Year for softball. Brandi also earned the same honor from the A-10. In addition, Kaila Holtz earned first team Academic All-America honors and Anna Perey was a second team Academic All-American. That trio along with with Emily Robustelli also earned academic All-Atlantic 10 recognition, too.
On the field, Emily was a third team All-American and earned A-10 Player of the Year honors for both the regular season and the A-10 Tournament. She also earned the same honor from the ECAC. Kaila was the A-10 Pitcher of the Year, and Brandi earned New England Player of the Year recognition as well as All-Conference recognition.
Michelle, we appreciate your interest and support of UMass softball!
Ian
Dear Ian,
As a two-time alum of the University and a former player on the University's football team I am a little unnerved by the continuous rumors of cutting football. Looking at the recent statement released by Chacnellor Lombardi which calls for a $2.5 million dollar cut to athletics do you feel that the money you spent updating the already new Mullin Center at an approximate cost of $2 million was well spent? If this renovation had not been done some athletic teams may have been spared, including possibly football.
Sincerely,
Bill Barry
Amherst, Mass.
Bill,
For the second straight year, due to the State budget crisis, the University has been dealt a substantial budget cut. With that, the athletic department has been asked to reduce its budget by a total of $3.6 million ($1.1 million in 2002-03 and $2.5 million for 2003-04). This represents more than 50 percent of its State funding over a two-year period.
Needless to say, a budget reduction of this magnitude results in substantial downsizing of a program. Last year, seven intercollegiate athletics programs were eliminated. We have yet to develop a plan for the upcoming reductions.
The Mullins Center renovation is being funded by private donations. Therefore, that project has no direct impact on the athletic department budget.
We must continue to conduct a successful Division I intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the high expectations that come with being a flagship campus in a respected State. However, now more than ever, UMass needs its alumni, friends, fans and partners to help our program. However, we also need the legislature's financial support of the Commonwealth's flagship campus is to maintain its place among America's great public universities and compete effectively with our peers in New England and beyond.
Ian
Dear Ian:
Is UMass is considering 1-A football? Would the following solve the stadium issue? (If 1-A football brings in revenue isn't the stadium the biggest issue?)
Lease the Patriots stadium for all home games: (1)$60M - $100M is too much to spend for 6 games per year, (2)Foxboro puts the games within reasonable driving distance for the majority of UMass grads, (3)Upfront money is not required, (4)Buses could transport Amherst area residents to the game, (5)imagine a playoff game at Gillette Stadium.
Is I-AA football possible without scholarships? I don't think so - look at what happened to Holy Cross.
Should UMass play 1-A football? As a major university - what makes UMass different than Michigan?
Most visions require faith - if the vision is progressive and based on solid economics leap for it!
Thanks for listening.
Chan Lincoln, '72, '72G
Edgartown, Mass.
Chandler,
Thanks for your comments and ideas. I addressed some of the issues above with Tim. There are a number of complex issues related to Division I-A football including facilities, funding and conference affiliation that need to be part of any plan to advance UMass to this level of play.
Once again, there is a serious discussion taking place along these lines at this point in time and we will keep fans posted as more clarity is shed on these critical issues.
All the best!
Ian
Ian:
Will UMass football be cut soon. If so what will the players have to do?
Joseph Brakon
Amherst, Mass.
Joseph,
There are no plans to eliminate UMass football. Nationally, football is central to the intercollegiate sports sponsored by state flagship campuses. It was pointed out to me recently that the flagship campuses in 40 of the 50 states sponsor I-A football. Eight other states maintain I-AA programs at flagship campuses, while only two flagships (Alaska, Vermont) do not have Division I football programs.
However, the issue that many Universities are dealing with is funding Division I-A and I-AA programs in light of the current financial climate. These pressures are causing many institutions to evaluate how to maintain the benefits that football brings to a University while conducting these programs in a more cost-effective manner.
Thank you for the question.
Ian