University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass NewsStand: October Headlines
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Oct. 31, 2003
UMass NewsStand: Latest Headlines
Follow UMass Athletics in local and national newspapers!
Welcome to "UMass NewsStand," a daily listing with links to stories from around the country on the Minutemen and Minutewomen. While we'll try to have most stories to you early each morning, be sure to check back throughout the day as we add links at all hours when we find them.
We hope you enjoy the links below to some the top stories from this month.
Friday, October 31, 2003
FOOTBALL: Indelible imprint, QB closing out memorable career for UMass football
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST, Mass. - When he arrived in Amherst, University of Massachusetts football fans dreamed about Jeff Krohn's numbers. After putting up better numbers in the Pac-10 during his time at Arizona State than NFL-bound quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Kyle Boller, fans wondered what Krohn could do in Amherst?. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass seeks revenge
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST, Mass. - He didn't enjoy it while it was happening, but University of Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple said last year's 42-17 loss to Northeastern was critical to helping his team have a successful season. . .
CROSS COUNTRY: A-10s begin in Philly
Daily Collegian / By Leah Wyner
AMHERST, Mass. - The Massachusetts men's and women's cross country teams are raising the stakes Saturday at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships. The teams compete on Philadelphia's Belmont Plateau course, home to both La Salle and St. Joseph's squads. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass's Cain proves he's able at any level
Boston Globe / By Joe Burris
You can tell a lot about someone's take on a question when the initial response is a laugh. The University of Massachusetts's heralded senior linebacker Jeremy Cain is too mannerly to be venomous toward the Division 1-A schools that extended, then rescinded, official invitations to him while he was in high school. And he's too humble, considering his play against the likes of Kansas State and North Carolina State, to say, "How do you like me, now?". . .
ICE HOCKEY: Luszcz to face ex-mates
Springfield Republican / By Dick Baker
AMHERST, Mass. - John Luszcz of Ludlow could be called the "Lonesome Coyote" when the University of Massachusetts hockey team takes on Providence College in a home and home series this weekend. . .
WOMEN'S SOCCER: Truth about Adair
Daily Collegian / By Todd Foster
AMHERST, Mass. - Not every scorer has to be a superstar. Adair Blyler does not have the flashy game you find in a bona fide scoring machine. She works hard for everything she gets. That's just the kind of person she is, appreciative of what she has and dedicated to keeping it. . .
MEN'S SOCCER: Crunch Time
Daily Collegian / By Becky Horowitz
AMHERST, Mass. - The Massachusetts men's soccer team has something to prove as a trip to the Atlantic 10 tournament is completely dependent on this weekend's outcome. The top six teams in the conference earn trips to the tournament and UMass is currently tied for fifth with one of its two weekend guests. . .
Thursday, October 30, 2003
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Atlantic 10 hoops tourney moves back to neutral court
Daily HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST, Mass. - The 2005 and 2006 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournaments are moving back to a neutral court, but staying in Ohio. The conference announced Wednesday that Cincinnati's U.S. Bank Arena will be the event's new host. . .
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Lot on his shoulders
Springfield Republican / By Ron Chimelis
AMHERST, Mass. - Rashaun Freeman spent so much time working out last year that when he was through bulking up, he had to bulk down. "I came here (in the fall of 2002) at about 230 pounds," said Freeman, a 6-foot-9 sophomore forward who is beginning his first season for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team. . .
FOOTBALL: Brown readies NU for `home' game
Boston Herald / By John Connolly
BOSTON, Mass. - As UMass recruiting coach Paul Gorham was leaving yesterday's weekly luncheon of the New England College Football Writers at Harvard, he turned to Northeastern head coach Don Brown and said, ``Do you remember how to get there?'' . . .
FOOTBALL: Defense makes stand at UMass
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST, Mass. - An identity crisis is occurring on the defensive side of the football team at the University of Massachusetts. Linebackers are catching passes like wide receivers and defensive backs are running the ball like tailbacks. All that and doing their regular job of stuffing the run and sacking the quarterback. . .
FOOTBALL: Battle of the Bay State
Daily Collegain / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST, Mass. - Coming off of an emotional, last-second win over undefeated Villanova, and with a colossal showdown at second-ranked Delaware looming in two weeks, the Massachusetts football team could be poised for a letdown Saturday when it hosts intra-state rival Northeastern (5-3 3-2 Atlantic 10) at Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium. .
ICE HOCKEY: A Halloween Showdown
Daily Collegain / By Matt Stewart
AMHERST, Mass. - The wait has finally come to an end. Everything, including practices and the prior games to this point, have served to prepare the Massachusetts hockey team for the part of the schedule that matters. . . .
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Nelson's return unknown, Inexperienced UMass squad awaits return of veteran leader
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST, Mass. - Floor general. Quarterback. Playmaker. Perimeter pro. Call her what you will, Katie Nelson is above all the heart and soul of the University of Massachusetts women's basketball team, which is preparing for an exhibition game next week. . .
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Extra summer work paying off for Martin
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST, Mass. - Brennan Martin didn't harbor any illusions. He was coming off a sophomore year for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team in which he averaged just 12.1 minutes and 3.0 points per game. Meanwhile, coach Steve Lappas was trumpeting the arrival of two highly-regarded wing players. . .
FOOTBALL: Fumbling for words to describe play
Boston Globe / By Joe Burris
AMHERST, Mass. - Two days after fifth-ranked Massachusetts's 19-14 triumph over second-ranked Villanova, talk was still abounding about the game's bizarre decisive play -- a 39-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by sophomore defensive back Shannon James with 2:08 left. . .
FIELD HOCKEY: Pride on the line for Minutewomen
Daily Collegian / By Brendan Hall
AMHERST, Mass. - There will be nothing to lose for the Massachusetts field hockey team (3-14, 1-4 A-10) as it prepares for its last non-conference match against Dartmouth (3-10, 1-4 Ivy League), this evening at 5 p.m. at Garber Field. . .
Tuesday, October 29, 2003
ICE HOCKEY: UMass ranked with elite programs
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts hockey team cracked the U.S. College Hockey Online Top 15 for the second straight season as the Minutemen checked in this week at No. 14, their highest rank ever. . .
FOOTBALL: Minuteman football on the rise
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts football team advanced one spot to No. 4 in this week's Sports Network Division I-AA Poll. The Minutemen are behind No. 1 McNeese State, No. 2 Delaware and No. 3 Southern Illinois. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass among 3 contenders
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
One would think that with each passing week the Atlantic 10 Conference and Division I-AA playoff picture would become clearer. One would be wrong. . .
Monday, October 27, 2003
FOOTBALL: Defense pacing this playoff run
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
Villanova, Pa. - On several occasions this season, out-of-town media have asked University of Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple to compare this edition of the Minutemen to the 1998 UMass squad that won the Division I-AA national championship. . .
FOOTBALL: Bounce boosts UMass
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
Villanova, Pa. - When Shannon James said Wednesday that turnovers could make the difference in Saturday's game between the University of Massachusetts and Villanova, he couldn't have envisioned how right he'd be. . .
FOOTBALL: Defense delivers for UMass
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
Villanova, Pa. - Listening to Villanova coach Andy Talley, it wasn't the offense of the University of Massachusetts that he was worried about, it was the defense. His concerns turned into reality on Saturday, when the UMass defense rattled the daunting Villanova passing game and scored the winning touchdown in the 19-14 win by the Minutemen. . .
FOOTBALL: One play to rule them all
Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - Maybe it was just a freshman quarterback making a grave mistake. Maybe it was the Massachusetts defense capping off its best day with its biggest play of the season. Maybe it was karma rewarding the Minutemen after a questionable pass interference call cost them the lead and nearly the game, or maybe it was saving headset-hurler Mark Whipple from triple bypass. . .
Sunday, October 26, 2003
MEN'S BASKETBALL: UMass looks for post play
Springfield Republican / By Ron Chimelis
AMHERST - The wild card in the University of Massachusetts men's basketball deck could turn out to be a trump card. Coach Steve Lappas thinks Stephane Lasme, a complete unknown to the Minutemen until July, has the potential to be an impact player - able to provide help in the low post, where UMass is most vulnerable. . .
Saturday, October 25, 2003
ICE HOCKEY: UMass Minutemen edge Holy Cross
Springfield Republican / By Dick Baker
AMHERST - Paul Pearl was in his first season as head coach at Holy Cross when the then-Division II Crusaders punctured the euphoric mood surrounding the University of Massachusetts hockey team by beating the Minutemen in overtime Jan. 31, 1995. . .
FOOTBALL: Surprise! 'Nova making noise in the A-10
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - The talk about Villanova at this year's Atlantic 10 football media day in August was that the Wildcats were in a rebuilding mode. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass faces biggest test
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - Today's football game with Villanova is by far the biggest contest of the season for the University of Massachusetts. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass faces tall task on the road
Boston Globe / By Joe Burris
AMHERST - The stage is set today for the most pivotal Atlantic 10 football game thus far: No. 5-ranked Massachusetts at No. 2 and undefeated Villanova. As both teams vie to move closer to securing at least a share of the league title, the visitors face one daunting task. . .
Friday, October 24, 2003
FOOTBALL: Minutemen forced to go deep for wins
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - When it comes to the players catching the passes, no one is where they're supposed to be for the University of Massachusetts football team. Since Sept. 6, when UMass opened its season with Central Connecticut State, the wide receiver position has been in a constant state of fluctuation with injuries and ineligibility. . .
ICE HOCKEY:The last crusade
Daily Collegain / By Andrew Merritt
AMHERST - It's everything Massachusetts men's hockey coach Don Cahoon can do to keep his troops from getting caught up in the hype. Since the beginning of the 2003-04 season, his team has been praised and publicized and ranked by some among the college hockey elite. . .
MEN'S SOCCER:Minutemen make trek to outer reaches
Daily Collegain / By Becky Horowitz
AMHERST - With the Atlantic 10 tournament less than three weeks away, the Massachusetts men's soccer team will play a pair of crucial conference games this weekend. . .
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIMMING:Swim teams set to begin 2003-04
Daily Collegain / By Matt Barstow and Paula Aden
AMHERST - After much anticipation, the Massachusetts swimming and diving teams plunge into the regular season tomorrow in a dual meet with the University of New Hampshire. . .
WOMEN'S SOCCER: All or nothing for UMass in Rudd clashes
Daily Collegain / By Matt Stewart
AMHERST - Do or die. This weekend is crucial for the Massachusetts women's soccer team's postseason hopes. The Atlantic 10 Tournament is open for the taking, but if the Maroon and White want to stay in contention it must pull off victories against Duquesne this afternoon and St. Bonaventure on Sunday. . .
Thursday, October 23, 2003
FOOTBALL: Secondary confident against Villanova
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - On paper it should be a mismatch. No. 2-ranked Villanova enters Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game with the No. 5-ranked University of Massachusetts at Villanova Stadium with the Atlantic 10's best passing attack, averaging 260.8 yards per game in the air. . .
FOOTBALL: Bunnell product a UMass fixture
Connecticut Post / By Chris Casavant
AMHERST - Shannon James posted some eye-catching offensive numbers during his career at Bunnell, including setting the school's single-season records for rushing yards and touchdowns. . .
FOOTBALL: On collision course: UMass, Villanova vie for top spot in A-10
Boston Herald / By Jim Baker
BOSTON - Something has to give in the hot Atlantic 10 title race Saturday when UMass and Villanova, both 4-0 in conference play, collide in the latter's Homecoming game (3:30). The Minutemen are looking for a sharp reversal in fortune from previous Philadelphia trips. Their only road triumph in the series came 41 years ago. . .
FOOTBALL: Judgement day
Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - A football season is more of a marathon than a sprint. A matter of survival, it is almost primal in nature as it tests a team's ability to persevere over the course of time. . .
FOOTBALL: Teams prepare for barnburner
Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - The date was Oct. 19, 2002. The weather was cold, dank and dreary in the Pioneer Valley, and the home stands at McGuirk Alumni Stadium were filled to capacity. . .
FIELD HOCKEY: Minutewomen head to Philly
Daily Collegian / By Brendan Hall
AMHERST - The Massachusetts field hockey team will be busy this weekend in Philadelphia, as they battle two conference rivals in a critical weekend for the Atlantic 10. . .
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
FOOTBALL: History in the making
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - When the two teams take the field at 3:30 p.m. Saturday outside of Philadelphia, the University of Massachusetts and Villanova will be making Atlantic 10 history. The game will pit the two highest ranked A-10 football teams ever to play each other. In the Sports Network Top 25 that came out Monday afternoon, the Wildcats are ranked No. 2 and the Minutemen are No. 5. . .
FOOTBALL: 3 teams make top 5 showing
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
For the next five days, at least, the Atlantic 10 Football Conference will be sailing uncharted waters. The A-10 has three teams ranked in the top five of the Division I-AA national poll by the Sports Network, a high water mark for the conference. . .
Monday, October 20, 2003
FOOTBALL: UMass effort sufficient vs. Pride
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - While his team is 6-1, undefeated in the Atlantic 10 and ranked No. 6 in the nation, University of Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple still thought the notion of his team in the Division I-AA playoffs was laughable after his team's 27-22 win over Hofstra. . .
FOOTBALL: 1 demon down, another to go?
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - Walking off the field Saturday after the University of Massachusetts had defeated Hofstra 27-22, senior strong safety Anton MacKenzie turned to the stands and yelled "I finally beat Hofstra!". . .
ICE HOCKEY: New lines yield results
Daily Collegian / By Matt Stewart
AMHERST - The Massachusetts hockey team made a few adjustments to its lineup for Saturday night's contest against St. Lawrence. The biggest shuffle made was splitting up the first line of Stephen Werner, Greg Mauldin, and Tim Vitek. . .
Saturday, October 18, 2003
FOOTBALL: Whipple looks for reverse
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - When the University of Massachusetts and Hofstra football teams meet, the odds of a blown call having an impact is only outdone by the odds of the Pride winning. . .
BASKETBALL: UMass needs to learn by experience
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - When Steve Lappas looks at the roster for his University of Massachusetts men's basketball team, it brings out the former high school math and science teacher in him. . .
FOOTBALL: Transfer of power: Trio paces UMass
Boston Globe / By Chris Forsberg
AMHERST - University of Massachusetts coach Mark Whipple certainly doesn't wish ill will on any local college football team, so he can only chalk up this year's shutdown of the UMass-Lowell football program to divine intervention. . .
Friday, October 17, 2003
FOOTBALL: Foreign terrain familiar to UMass football foe
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - Hofstra coach Joe Gardi has been trotting out the same joke for a while now. Saturday marks the seventh time his Pride has played against the University of Massachusetts, and it will be the fifth time that game has come at McGuirk Stadium. "We've played them a lot of years,'' Gardi said. ''We've played them down here about two times and up there about nine (sic), so I'm thinking of buying a condo" . . .
WOMEN'S SOCCER: Surging Minutewomen hit the road
Daily Collegian / By Matt Stewart
AMHERST - The Massachusetts women's soccer team continues to battle through the heart of its Atlantic 10 schedule. After breaking a six-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Xavier this weekend, the Minutewomen look to continue their winning ways in an A-10 weekend doubleheader. . .
CROSS COUNTRY: The next step
Daily Collegian / By Leah Wyner
AMHERST - The Massachusetts cross-country teams will compete Saturday, along with 24 other teams at the Albany Cross Country Invitational. . .
ICE HOCKEY: The next step
Daily Collegian / By Andrew Merritt
AMHERST - The Massachusetts hockey team's season is two games old, and already the Minutemen have played a Hockey East opponent, made roster switches, and shaken up lines. . .
MEN'S SOCCER: Return to the comforts of home
Daily Collegian / By Bob McGovern
AMHERST - After its most disappointing weekend of the season the Massachusetts men's soccer team is coming home, and looking for redemption. . .
Thursday, October 16, 2003
FOOTBALL: A matter of Pride
Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - When the Massachusetts football team takes the field at Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday to face Hofstra, it will be exactly 11 months to the day since it happened. . .
FOOTBALL: Torrid Minutemen hope to swallow Pride
Boston Herald / By John Connolly
BOSTON - Surging UMass hopes to exorcise some demons when it hosts struggling Hofstra on Saturday at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The Pride lead the series, 5-1, and have captured all four meetings in Amherst. . .
FOOTBALL: Defensive line shines
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - Like their counterparts on the offensive line, defensive linemen work in obscurity while teammates behind them make the plays and collect the praise. At the University of Massachusetts, it is no different. And in a 3-4 base defense like UMass plays, even fewer tackles will be made by the defensive linemen. . .
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
FOOTBALL: UMass positioned for 1-AA playoffs
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts football season passed its halfway mark with Saturday's 24-14 win over William & Mary. With six games (five in conference) to play, the Minutemen (5-1, 4-0) are in a position to make a run at the Division I-AA playoffs and potentially the Atlantic 10 title. . .
FOOTBALL: Little bit of luck at the top
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - If not for two plays - one successful, the other a failure - the University of Massachusetts football team would be sitting all alone in first place right now. The Minutemen beat William & Mary 24-14 Saturday at Williamsburg, Va., to improve to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. . .
Monday, October 13, 2003
FOOTBALL: It's a Playoff Timing Pattern
New York Newsday / By Michael Thier
AMHERST - Anton McKenzie could easily curse timing for keeping him from his goal. But it's not in the 5-11, 210-pound senior strong safety's nature to blame a metaphysical concept for barring him and UMass from the Division I-AA football playoffs. . .
FOOTBALL: Late drive key to UMass win
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - Two games, two fourth-quarter drives by the University of Massachusetts offense that put the win securely in the Minutemen's collective hip pockets. . .
Saturday, October 11, 2003
ATHLETICS: AD search committee expected soon
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - University of Massachusetts Chancellor John V. Lombardi said he expects to have a committee in place next week to begin searching for a new athletic director. According to Lombardi, Associate Provost Susan Pearson and John Dubach, the special assistant to the chancellor, will be the co-chairs of the committee. . .
FOOTBALL: Tribe finally home against UMass
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - At the end of William & Mary coach Jimmye Laycock's allotted 10 minutes on Monday's Atlantic 10 weekly football conference call, A-10 assistant commissioner Ray Cella jokingly asked if Laycock needed directions to Zable Stadium. Laycock laughed, but after playing the first month of his season away from Williamsburg, Va., the coach is glad to finally get home. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass faces challenge
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - Not surprisingly, Mark Whipple knows how many games its been since University of Massachusetts faced William & Mary. And the Minutemen coach knows who was mostly responsible for his team's 31-10 loss when the two sides met in the 2001 season opener - Tribe wide receiver Rich Musinski. . .
ICE HOCKEY: No tooting own horn
Boston Globe / By Jim McCabe
AMHERST - From way out in Amherst, that's Don "Toot" Cahoon holding the caution sign. Yes, he remembers very well last March, when his University of Massachusetts Minutemen stunned Maine in the first round of the Hockey East tournament and went toe to toe with vaunted New Hampshire before falling, 5-4, in the semifinals at the FleetCenter. . .
Friday, October 10, 2003
FIELD HOCKEY: UMass to open A-10
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Brendan Hall
AMHERST - After a tough road trip, the Massachusetts field hockey team (2-9) will open its Atlantic 10 season with a two-game homestand this weekend at Garber Field. At the last home game, September 20, the Minutewomen lost a nail-biter to Providence College in overtime, 2-1. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass looks to learn from past performances
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - University of Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple's first memory of William & Mary receiver Rich Musinski is still vivid. In the first quarter of the first game of the 2000 season, Musinski got behind the UMass defense and broke free for an 86-yard TD score. Musinski was playing the first game of his career. . .
ICE HOCKEY: Unlikely star takes center stage in opener
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - On a University of Massachusetts hockey team with a heavy collection of talented forwards, Josh Hanson isn't a name that comes immediately to mind. A year ago, Hanson was in and out of the lineup, appearing in 21 games and registering two goals and three assists. . .
ICE HOCKEY: Crowd is small but spirited
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Matt Stewart
AMHERST - Last night was the highly anticipated "Operation 8K" game. For weeks, UMass hockey fans have been counting down the minutes for the inaugural face-off of the 2003-04 Season. But then, Operation 8K faced a major roadblock. . .
MEN'S SOCCER: UM hits the road
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Bob McGovern
AMHERST - The utmost respect for any college team is to be nationally ranked by its peers. This is precisely what happened to the Massachusetts Men's soccer team last week after extending its unbeaten streak to seven games. . .
WOMEN'S SOCCER: Xavier, Dayton invade Rudd Field to battle Minutewomen
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Todd Foster
AMHERST - University of Massachusetts coach Jim Rudy is sick of this bad luck streak. Several injuries, half the starting line-up suspended last weekend and a six-game losing streak, the Massachusetts women's soccer team is looking for something positive. Unfortunately for them, the Minutewomen's (2-6-1, 1-2 Atlantic 10) weekend will feature the two toughest opponents within the A-10, Xavier Friday followed by Dayton Sunday. . .
Thursday, October 9, 2003
CROSS COUNTRY: UMass to compete at New Englands
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Matt Barstow
AMHERST - Believe it or not, after three races the University of Massachusetts cross-country team has reached the pinnacle of its season. Barring a trip to the postseason, the Minutemen will have one meet after Saturday's New England. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass not driven by poll position
Boston Herald / By John Connolly
AMHERST - While Northeasternhas borne the mantle of preseason No. 1 and Harvard has ridden junior quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's artful play to an unbeaten record, UMass has quietly laid in the weeds. No longer. . .
FOOTBALL: Minutemen head south to face Tribe
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - After consecutive home victories over Atlantic 10 foes James Madison and New Hampshire that helped it climb into a three-way tie atop the A-10 standings, the Massachusetts football team will return the road this weekend as they continue their conference slate in Williamsburg, Va. against William & Mary (1-3 0-2 A-10). . .
ICE HOCKEY: Minutemen leary of high expectations
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - Just moments after the University of Massachusetts hockey team skated off the FleetCenter ice on the short end of a 5-4 season-ending loss to New Hampshire, speculation for the 2003-04 campaign began in earnest. The Minutemen lost just two seniors from a team that put up the best Division I record in program history last year. . .
ICE HOCKEY: Fill the Bill tonight
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Andrew Merritt
AMHERST - Why should you go? Because it's your chance to see the next chapter in a program that went from oblivion to the playoffs, in one of the toughest conferences in college hockey. Because you'll see some of the finest young talent to play any sport here in the Valley. . .
ICE HOCKEY: The revolution begins
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Matt Stewart
AMHERST - If last year was a pleasant surprise, then 2003-04 is a season of expectation, for the Massachusetts hockey team, which begins the next phase of "The New Revolution" tonight against Connecticut at the Mullins Center. . .
Wednesday, October 8, 2003
CROSS COUNTRY: Renaissance runner able to balance workload
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Matt Barstow
AMHERST - Being a college student is not easy. For many of us, it's hard enough going to classes, doing homework and finding time to sleep. But a select few University of Massachusetts students, known as student-athletes, redefine what is meant by a "heavy workload." Acting captain of the men's cross-country team Andrew McCarron may be the poster child for student-athletes. . .
FOOTBALL: Atlantic 10 to realign in 2004
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - With the addition of Towson University to its ranks beginning in 2004, the Atlantic 10 Football Conference will return to divisional play for the first time since 1998. The A-10, which was known as the Yankee Conference until 1997, will now be made up of 12 teams split into two six-team divisions. . .
Tuesday, October 7, 2003
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Big Deli to suit up at UMass
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts' men's basketball program's newest addition has a head start on cult-hero status. Sports fans tend to like underdogs, great nicknames and unmistakable physical characteristics. . .
MEN'S BASKETBALL: UMass grabs big center
Springfield Republican / By Ron Chimelis
AMHERST - In its effort to get better, the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team is getting bigger. Jeff Salovski, a 6-foot-11, 325-pound center from Bristol, Conn., has given a verbal commitment to the Minutemen. . .
ICE HOCKEY: UMass turns to P?ck for leadership
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - As he skated backwards in a drill late in the University of Massachusetts' Monday hockey practice, Thomas P?ck looked every bit the natural defenseman. That would have been difficult to imagine a year ago, when the Klagenfurt, Austria native was penciled in at center and expected to be an important part of the team's offense. . .
ICE HOCKEY: UMass tickets hot
Springfield Republican / By Dick Baker
AMHERST - After the success of last season, hockey interest is on the rise at the University of Massachusetts. "Last year we had around 500 season tickets, this year we already have over 800," said Bill Chaves, assistant athletic director for development and ticket services. . .
Monday, October 6, 2003
FOOTBALL: Brower a force again
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - In a football season that has already featured strong play from the University of Massachusetts defense, the Minutemen appear to be getting another boost. Senior defensive lineman Valdamar Brower, who was slowed somewhat early by offseason knee surgery, is becoming a bigger factor each week. . .
FOOTBALL: Poor play frustrates Whipple
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - As University of Massachusetts coach Mark Whipple walked into his postgame press conference following Saturday's 44-30 win over New Hampshire, Interim Media Relations Director Charlie Bare was announcing that Minuteman junior receiver Jason Peebler had won the Bill Knight Award. . .
FOOTBALL: Peebler is no fill-in for UMass
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - A year ago at this time, the Massachusetts football team was coming off a victory over Richmond that marked the beginning of a turnaround that would see the team climb to the top of the Atlantic 10 standings. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass still has potential
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - If the University of Massachusetts football team puts it all together, it could very well be the best team in Division I-AA. So far, the Minutemen haven't even come close. And they're still winning. . .
Saturday, October 4, 2003
FOOTBALL: October starts with Wildcats
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - September has been an eventful month for University of Massachusetts coach Mark Whipple. He dealt with the loss of his top returning offensive player (R.J. Cobbs) and injuries to two projected contributors (wide receiver Greg Scott and running back Raunny Rosario). . .
FOOTBALL: UMass looks to snap UNH hex
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thoams
AMHERST - The number of players on the University of Massachusetts football roster who have beaten the University of New Hampshire barely surpasses a dozen. The Minutemen would like to increase that number by about 100. . .
Friday, October 3, 2003
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Canadian commits to UMass
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts men's basketball program looked north for its first commitment of the season. Olivier Lamoureux, a 6-foot-9, 215-pound power forward from Montreal, gave the Minutemen a verbal commitment Wednesday. . .
FIELD HOCKEY: Similar squads meet up in Syracuse
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Brendan Hall
AMHERST - After suffering back-to-back road losses to two Top 25 teams, the Massachusetts field hockey team will breathe a bittersweet sigh of relief when they travel to Syracuse, N.Y. tonight at 7 p.m., to face an almost identical Orangewoman squad. . .
MEN'S SOCCER: Old foes square off
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Becky Horowitz
AMHERST - Call it a revenge game. Or just call it another weekend in the Atlantic 10. Either way, the real season starts now. The Massachusetts men's soccer team (6-2) opens conference play today against George Washington (2-6) at Rudd Field. . .
Thursday, October 2, 2003
ATHLETICS: Departures leave UMass athletic department thin
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
AMHERST - One week into his stint as the University of Massachusetts' interim athletic director, Thorr Bjorn sounds upbeat and energetic. He'll need to be. For several weeks anyway, he'll be running a pretty shorthanded athletic department. . .
FOOTBALL: UMass-UNH rivalry borders on insanity
Boston Herald / By John Connolly
BOSTON - Blood may be thicker than water, but there is little doubt that the series between UMass and New Hampshire is a nothing short of a border war. UMass coach Mark Whipple served as offensive coordinator for two seasons at UNH, while two members of Whipple's staff, Paul Gorham and Mike Cassano, played at UNH. . .
FOOTBALL: Family day affair
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Andrew Merritt
AMHERST - It's a distraction that Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple's team needs to get past. Then again, the R.J. Cobbs situation has been a distraction the entire season, so perhaps it's now finally over. . .
FOOTBALL: Fullback won't complain
Springfield Republican / By Jeff Thomas
AMHERST - Rich Demers is not the excitable kind. The East Boston native has had too much happen in his football career to get too high or too low about any situation. He missed two years of high school football because of his grades, didn't play at as high of a level of college football as he believed he could have, then had the football program canceled on him. . .
WOMEN'S SOCCER: Minutewomen hit the road
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Matt Stewart
AMHERST - The Massachusetts women's soccer team is hitting the road this weekend for back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference games, including a highly anticipated match-up against a George Washington team that features Kim Warner, arguably the best player in the conference. . .
Wednesday, October 1, 2003
FOOTBALL: Minutemen reach for glory days
Boston Globe / By Mark Blaudschun
AMHERST - It's a simple question: Is the University of Massachusetts ready to bounce back to elite status in not only the Atlantic 10 but in Division 1-AA? Coach Mark Whipple gave a definite maybe when asked about his Minutemen, who enter Saturday's game against New Hampshire with a 3-1 record. . .
FOOTBALL: Cobbs is suspended for season
Massachusetts Daily Collegian / By Mike Marzelli
AMHERST - Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple had planned on R.J. Cobbs making a large contribution for his football team this season as a tailback, wide receiver, kick returner and defensive back. Instead, the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year will make no contribution whatsoever, as it was announced Tuesday that the Parsippany Hills, N.J. native will not play for the remainder of the season. . .
ICE HOCKEY: UMass 5th in HE poll
Daily Hampshire Gazette / By Matt Vautour
BOSTON - For years finding the University of Massachusetts in the Hockey East Preseason Poll was easy. Start at the bottom and work your way up. It wouldn't take long as the Minutemen held a long-term lease at or near last place. The lack of preseason respect was warranted. . .
ICE HOCKEY: UMass encounters new respect level
Springfield Republican / By Dick Baker
BOSTON - Every year, the only mystery involving the University of Massachusetts on Hockey East Media Day at the FleetCenter has been whether the Minutemen would be picked to finish dead last, or one spot higher at eighth. But not this time. . .