- UMass Minutemen football
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UMass Minutemen 
Current season
First season 1879 Athletic director John McCutcheon Head coach Kevin Morris 3rd year, 13–13 (.500) Home stadium Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium Stadium capacity 17,000 Stadium surface FieldTurf Location Amherst, Massachusetts Conference Colonial Athletic Association All-time record 553–522–51 (.514) Postseason bowl record 1–2 Claimed national titles 1 Conference titles 22 Heisman winners 0 Consensus All-Americans 67 Colors Maroon and White Fight song Fight Mass Mascot Sam the Minuteman Marching band UMass Marching Band Rivals New Hampshire Wildcats
Rhode Island RamsWebsite UMass Football The UMass Minutemen football team is a collegiate football team that competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision and the Colonial Athletic Association. UMass began play in 1879 and have since appeared in three National Championship games, winning the title in 1998. The Minutemen will begin a two-year Football Bowl Subdivision transition period in 2011. UMass is scheduled to become a full-fledged FBS team in 2013, joining the Mid-American Conference.
Contents
Team history
Early years
UMass began playing football in 1879 when the school was known as Massachusetts Agricultural College, and the team was known as the "Aggies." They were first organized the previous fall by Francis Codman, but did not play their first game until November 22, 1879, defeating the Amherst College freshman team 4–0. As this was their only game that year, 1879 is noted as their first undefeated season, matched only by the 1889 season (2–0) and the 1963 season (8–0–1). Massachusetts later teamed up with Storrs Agricultural College (now the University of Connecticut) and Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now the University of Rhode Island) to form the Athletic League of New England State Colleges for the purpose of scheduling football matchups between the schools. The first meeting between the Aggies and each of the other schools resulted in a shutout win for Massachusetts, as they defeated Connecticut, 36–0, in 1897 and Rhode Island, 46–0, in 1903. Massachusetts won their 100th game on October 2, 1920, topping rival Connecticut in a 28–0 shutout. The team played their 1000th game on November 11, 2000, losing to conference foe Delaware, 19-31.
The team's nickname has endured several changes throughout the years. Though the official nickname remained "Aggies," "Statesmen" was also used interchangeably beginning when the school was renamed to Massachusetts State College in 1931. The nickname was officially changed to the "Redmen" when the name of the college became the University of Massachusetts in 1947. In a response to changing attitudes regarding the use of Native American-themed mascots, they changed their mascot in 1972 to the Minuteman, based on the historical "minuteman" relationship with Massachusetts; women's teams and athletes are known as Minutewomen.
UMass has enjoyed various levels of success over the years. As a founding member of the Yankee Conference, Massachusetts won 17 Yankee Conference Championships, appearing in one National Championship game during that timespan. They fell to Florida A&M in this inaugural Division 1-AA Championship, 35–28. UMass' success continued as they began competition in the Atlantic 10 Conference in 1997. They went on to win four more conference titles while playing in the A-10 and make two more appearances in the National Championship game, winning it all in 1998. In 2006 the Minutemen took home the last A-10 title (the conference discontinued football after the season) and made their most recent Championship game appearance. Their most recent conference championship came in 2007, the inaugural season of the CAA.
Transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision
On April 20, 2011, after decades of studies and speculation, the UMass Minutemen formally announced they will be elevating their football program to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and will become a member of the Mid-American Conference. The announcement was made at Gillette Stadium, where the Minutemen will play their home games beginning in 2012. UMass will play a full FBS and MAC schedule beginning with the 2012 football season and by 2013 be eligible for the MAC championship and bowl participation. In 2011, UMass will continue to participate in the Colonial Athletic Association but will not be eligible NCAA postseason play.[1]
UMass will go through two years as a transitional member of FBS, the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The NCAA would make a formal announcement of UMass' admission to FBS in the Summer of 2013 after the program successfully meets the specified measures over its two transitioning years. The primary criteria center around average attendance, an increase in scholarships from 63 to 85 and specific scheduling requirements. Along with joining the Mid-American Conference the men's and women's basketball teams will play four non conference games against MAC teams.[2]
Postseason appearances
Division I-AA playoffs
Season Date Round Opponent Result Location 1978 December 9 Semifinal Nevada W 44–21 Reno, NV December 16 Championship Florida A&M L 28–35 Wichita Falls, TX 1988 November 26 First Round Eastern Kentucky L 17–28 Richmond, KY 1990 November 24 First Round William & Mary L 0–38 Williamsburg, VA 1998 November 28 First Round McNeese State W 21–19 Lake Charles, LA December 5 Quarterfinal Lehigh W 27–21 Amherst, MA December 12 Semifinal Northwestern State W 41–31 Natchitoches, LA December 19 Championship Georgia Southern W 55–43 Chattanooga, TN 1999 November 27 First Round Furman W 30–23 (OT) Greensville, SC December 4 Quarterfinal Georgia Southern L 21–38 Statesboro, GA 2003 November 29 First Round Colgate L 7–19 Hamilton, NY 2006 November 25 First Round Lafayette W 35–14 Amherst, MA December 2 Quarterfinal New Hampshire W 24–17 Amherst, MA December 12 Semifinal Montana W 19–17 Missoula, MT December 15 Championship Appalachian State L 17–28 Chattanooga, TN 2007 November 24 First Round Fordham W 49–35 Amherst, MA December 1 Quarterfinal Southern Illinois L 27–34 Carbondale, IL Bowl games
Season Date Bowl Game Opponent Result Location 1964 December 12 Tangerine Bowl East Carolina L 13–14 Orlando, FL 1972 December 9 Boardwalk Bowl UC Davis W 35–14 Atlantic City, NJ 1978 December 16 Pioneer Bowl† Florida A&M L 28–35 Wichita Falls, TX † The 1978 Pioneer Bowl was also used as the inaugural Division 1-AA National Championship.
Conference championships
UMass has won a total of 22 conference championships. Following is a list of the years, affiliations, and records for those Championship seasons.
Conference affiliations:
- 1897–1922: Athletic League of New England State Colleges
- 1923–1946: New England Conference
- 1947–1996: Yankee Conference
- 1997–2006: Atlantic 10 Conference
- 2007–present: Colonial Athletic Association
UMass will begin play in the Mid-American Conference in 2012
Year Conference Overall Record Conf. Record 1960 Yankee Conference 7–2 3–1 1963 Yankee Conference 8–0–1 5–0 1964 Yankee Conference 8–2 5–0 1966 Yankee Conference 6–3 5–0 1967 Yankee Conference 7–2 5–0 1969 Yankee Conference 6–3 5–0 1971 Yankee Conference 4–4–1 3–1–1 1972 Yankee Conference 9–2 5–0 1974 Yankee Conference 5–6 4–2 1977 Yankee Conference 8–3 5–0 1978 Yankee Conference 9–4 5–0 1979 Yankee Conference 6–4 4–1 1981 Yankee Conference 6–3 4–1 1982 Yankee Conference 5–6 3–2 1986 Yankee Conference 8–3 5–2 1988 Yankee Conference 8–4 6–2 1990 Yankee Conference 8–2–1 7–1 1998 Atlantic 10 Conference 12–3 6–2 1999 Atlantic 10 Conference 9–4 7–1 2003 Atlantic 10 Conference 10–3 8–1 2006 Atlantic 10 Conference 13–2 8–0 2007 Colonial Athletic Association 10–3 7–1 Facilities
McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Main article: Warren McGuirk Alumni StadiumThe Minutemen play their home football games at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, a 17,000 seat stadium on the UMass Amherst campus. The stadium itself sits just over the town line in neighboring Hadley, Massachusetts. The inaugural game took place on September 25, 1965 when UMass defeated the AIC Yellow Jackets, 41–0. Since the opening, UMass has enjoyed a decided home field advantage, posting a 177––-2 record when playing at McGuirk. The attendance record at McGuirk was set during a UMass football game against Boston College on November 25, 1972; 20,000 fans were in attendance.
Gillette Stadium
Main article: Gillette StadiumUMass first played at Gillette Stadium in the "Colonial Clash" against the University of New Hampshire on October 23, 2010. This game was renewed for the 2011 season as UMass will again play New Hampshire there. Beginning in 2012 Gillette Stadium will become the home of the UMass Minutemen football team continuing through at least 2013. After that, UMass will play a minimum of four home games at Gillette Stadium through the 2016 season. Following that five-year agreement, there will be an option for additional home games to be played at Gillette.[3]
Coaching history
Years Coach Games W L T Pct. 1879–1897 No coach 94 30 58 6 .351 1898 Doctor Weeks 6 1 4 1 .250 1899–1900 Fred Murphy Brown 20 12 8 0 .600 1901–1903 James Halligan 26 16 8 2 .653 1904, 1907–1908 Matthew Bullock 26 13 8 5 .596 1905 Walter Craig 10 3 7 0 .300 1906 George E. O'Hearn 9 1 7 1 .167 1909 J. W. Gage 9 1 6 2 .222 1910 Willard Gildersleeve 9 1 6 2 .222 1911 Jack Hubbard 9 2 7 0 .222 1912–1915 Arthur Brides 21 12 15 4 .452 1916 George Melican 8 2 4 2 .375 1919–1927 Harold Gore 70 33 32 5 .507 1928–1930 Charles McGeoch 25 6 17 2 .280 1931–1935 Mel Taube 44 29 13 2 .682 1936–1940 Elbert Carraway 44 9 32 3 .239 1941–1942, 1946 Walter Hargesheimer 23 11 11 1 .500 1945, 1947–1951 Thomas Eck 44 17 23 4 .432 1952–1959 Charlie O'Rourke 64 21 39 4 .359 1960 Chuck Studley 9 7 2 0 .778 1961–1970 Vic Fusia 93 59 32 2 .645 1971–1977 Dick MacPherson 73 45 27 1 .623 1978–1983 Bob Pickett 64 36 28 0 .563 1984–1985 Bob Stull 22 10 12 0 .455 1986–1991 Jim Reid 67 36 29 2 .552 1992–1997 Mike Hodges 65 35 30 0 .538 1998–2003 Mark Whipple 75 49 26 0 .629 2004–2008 Don Brown 62 43 19 0 .693 2009–present Kevin Morris 22 11 11 0 .500 1879–present Totals 1122 551 520 51 .514 Notable alumni
Current NFL players
- Jeremy Cain, linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Victor Cruz, wide receiver, New York Giants
- Vladimir Ducasse, offensive guard, New York Jets
- Jeremy Horne, wide receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
- James Ihedigbo, defensive back, New England Patriots
- Matt Lawrence, running back, Baltimore Ravens
- Jeromy Miles, safety, Cincinnati Bengals
Other alumni
- Steve Baylark, current running back for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL
- Shannon James, current linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL
- Greg Landry, former All-Pro quarterback for the Detroit Lions
- Brandon London, current wide receiver for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL
- Ed McAleney, former All-Star defensive tackle for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL
- John McCormick, former quarterback for the Denver Broncos
- Milt Morin, former All-Pro tight end for the Cleveland Browns
- Marcel Shipp, current running back for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL (formerly played for the Arizona Cardinals)
- Terry Swanson, former punter for the Boston Patriots
Individual awards
UMass has had 63 players named to various All-American teams since Tony Chambers garnered the first selection for the Minutemen (then called the Redmen) in 1952. Following is a list of UMass football players and coaches who have been named either Offensive, Defensive, or Special Teams Player of the Year or Coach of the Year for their respective conference.
Year Winner Position 1988 John McKeown LB 1988 Jim Reid HC 1990 Gary Wilkos QB 1990 Jim Reid HC 1994 Brian Corcoran DL 1998 Khari Samuel LB 2003 Mark Whipple HC 2004 Shannon James DB 2005 Christian Koegel P 2006 Steve Baylark RB 2006 Don Brown HC Future schedules
2012
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance August 30 at Connecticut* Rentschler Field • East Hartford, CT September 8 Indiana* Gillette Stadium • Foxborough, MA September 15 at Michigan* Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI October 27 at Vanderbilt* Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, TN *Non-conference game. 
Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. All dates, times, and TV are tentative and subject to change.See also
- UConn–UMass football rivalry
References
- ^ http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/FBS1.html
- ^ nttp://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/images/upload/FBS%20FAQs_0.doc
- ^ http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/FBS2.html
External links
UMass Minutemen football Established 1878 • Based in Amherst, Massachusetts • Colonial Athletic Association (Mid-American Conference beginning 2012)University Key Personnel Head coach: Kevin Morris • Offensive coordinator: Brian Picucci • Defensive coordinator: Frank ForcucciStadiums Rivalries Culture and Lore National Champions (1) 1998Lambert Cups (3) 1978 • 1998 • 2006Conference Championships (22) Yankee Conference: 1960 • 1963 • 1964 • 1966 • 1967 • 1969 • 1971 • 1972 • 1974 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1981 • 1982 • 1986 • 1988 • 1990
A-10: 1998 • 1999 • 2003 • 2006
CAA: 2007Seasons (128) 1880s 1879 • 1880 • 1881 • 1882 • 1883 • 1884 • 1885 • 1886 • 1887 • 1888 • 18891890s 1890 • 1891 • 1892 • 1893 • 1894 • 1895 • 1896 • 1897 • 1898 • 18991900s 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 19091910s 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1918 • 19191920s 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 19291930s 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 19391940s 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 19491950s 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 19591960s 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 19691970s 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 19791980s 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 19891990s 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 19992000s 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 20092010s 2010 • 2011 • 2012UMass Aggies/Redmen/Minutemen head football coaches No coach (1879–1897) • Doctor Weeks (1898) • Fred Murphy Brown (1899–1900) • James Halligan (1901–1903) • Matthew Bullock (1904) • Walter Craig (1905) • George E. O'Hearn (1906) • Matthew Bullock (1907–1908) • J. W. Gage (1909) • Willard Gildersleeve (1910) • Jack Hubbard (1911) • Arthur Brides (1912–1915) • George Melican (1916) • No team (1917–1918) • Harold Gore (1919–1927) • Charles McGeoch (1928–1930) • Mel Taube (1931–1935) • Elbert Caraway (1936–1940) • Walter Hargesheimer (1941–1942) • No team (1943–1944) • Thomas Eck (1945) • Walter Hargesheimer (1946) • Thomas Eck (1947–1951) • Charlie O'Rourke (1952–1959) • Chuck Studley (1960) • Vic Fusia (1961–1970) • Dick MacPherson (1971–1977) • Bob Pickett (1978–1983) • Bob Stull (1984–1985) • Jim Reid (1986–1991) • Mike Hodges (1992–1997) • Mark Whipple (1998–2003) • Don Brown (2004–2008) • Kevin Morris (2009–)
University of Massachusetts Amherst Academics School of Education • College of Engineering • College of Humanities and Fine Arts • Isenberg School of Management • College of Natural Sciences • School of Nursing • Public Health and Health Sciences • College of Social and Behaviorial Sciences • Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Research Campus Facilities: John W. Lederle Graduate Research Center · Justin S. Morrill Science Center · Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center · Orchard Hill Observatory · University Museum of Contemporary Art · W. E. B. Du Bois Library
Landmarks: Old Chapel · Chestnut Ridge Historical Area · East Ridge Historical Area · Ellis Drive Historical AreaAthletics Facilities: Curry Hicks Cage · Earl Lorden Field · William D. Mullins Memorial Center · UMass Softball Complex · Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium
History and Traditions: UMass Minutemen · Sam the Minuteman · UMass Fight Song · University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching BandStudent Life Housing · PVTA · Five Colleges Consortium · Amherst
Media: The Massachusetts Daily Collegian · The Massachusetts Review · WFCR · WMUAPeople Miscellaneous 1980 campus water shortageColonial Athletic Association football Delaware • Georgia State (effective 2012) • James Madison • Maine • New Hampshire • Old Dominion • Rhode Island (leaving in 2013) • Richmond • Towson • UMass (leaving in 2012) • Villanova • William & Mary
NCAA Division I FCS (I-AA) National Champions Florida A&M (1978) • Eastern Kentucky (1979) • Boise State (1980) • Idaho State (1981) • Eastern Kentucky (1982) • Southern Illinois (1983) • Montana State (1984) • Georgia Southern (1985) • Georgia Southern (1986) • Northeast Louisiana (1987) • Furman (1988) • Georgia Southern (1989) • Georgia Southern (1990) • Youngstown State (1991) • Marshall (1992) • Youngstown State (1993) • Youngstown State (1994) • Montana (1995) • Marshall (1996) • Youngstown State (1997) • Massachusetts (1998) • Georgia Southern (1999) • Georgia Southern (2000) • Montana (2001) • Western Kentucky (2002) • Delaware (2003) • James Madison (2004) • Appalachian State (2005) • Appalachian State (2006) • Appalachian State (2007) • Richmond (2008) • Villanova (2009) • Eastern Washington (2010)
Categories:- UMass Minutemen football
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