UMassHoops.com

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:32 am Post subject:

He's back in the game now. I thought it was going to be a concussion situation, but apparently not. Good thing he isn't out for the game... people might blame it on him saying zoo mass Rolling Eyes

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photoman · Senior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 918 Location: Attleboro

Gotta admit when I heard the "zoomass" intro, I was shocked that he'd do that. He gets a lot of love from Umass and Umass fans, and yes it IS insulting to the University to do that. It was classless on his part, and I thought he was a classy guy. I believe that Umass has worked hard to eliminate the "zoo" image, with this years freshman class being the highest academic achieving class in the history of the school. I didn't think there was anything funny about it.

SignMan · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 3187

Quann · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:27 am Post subject:

This thread sounds like a bunch of old hens in a knitting circle. Lighten up! I thought it was hilarious.

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:14 am Post subject:

photoman · Senior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 918 Location: Attleboro

If you'll allow this old hen to stop clucking for a minute and explain... Problem is if you didn't go to Umass or live in Massachusetts, you might not even know what "zoo mass" is! Ihedigbo had the chance to promote the University of Massachusetts in the national spotlight, and he decided to blow the opportunity. With the FBS move in the works, it really wasn't a smart thing to do. I'm not seeing why this was hilarious.

LooneyGoon · Senior Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 969

Stupid move.

Pretty sure his family was involved with the University, graduates and professors, etc. I wonder how they would feel about that...
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chapter 11 · Junior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 304 Location: NYC

1) It was an honor to have an alum mentioned in the opening video segment. He is proud of his school as am I in every facet including its academics and social life. I laughed and thought it was lighthearted. It was a moniker.

2) As a Jet fan I was quite angry he wasn't re-signed and told everyone who would listen. He played well last year. He was well liked by the fans and it seems he was respected in the locker room. Rex mentioned him his post game press conference (yes I listened after that "performance".)

Coach Ryan:

"You have a lot of great players on that team. They've done a nice job. (Patriots S) James Ihedigbo, I thought, played extremely well as well today."

dennisdent · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:28 pm Post subject:

Didn't hear it (finishing-up watching the Amazing Race with my wife). Not sure how I feel about it.

The last three people who I've met in the D.C. area that said "ZooMass" to me when I mentioned I went to UMass went to BC, Fitchburg State and Westfield State. Only the BC DBag did it in a condescending manor (he didn't last long with the job...).

I do wish he had just said UMass or Massachusetts, but I guess he was trying to be funny.

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:40 pm Post subject:

Well, Victor Cruz gets his chance next weekend. What do you all think he'll say??
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Stop waiting for UMass to do something big and help UMass do something big. - Shades

Sam Minuteman · Senior Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 1164 Location: Tampa, FL

All press is good press and now there are discussions going on about it, so I have to say I like it. He could have said his HS, or his Elementary school if he wanted to insult the school.

I never understood the big deal, partying and a good education do not have to be exclusive of one another. A lot of very smart and hardworking students also know how to have a good time on the weekend.

Right now being known for partying is better than the reputation of some other schools....... Ohio State, Miami, USC,.......... Penn State..... Rolling Eyes

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CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 5:45 pm Post subject:

I had zero problem with it whatsoever.
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

RCS07 · Junior Joined: 18 Oct 2010 Posts: 359

As a former fundraiser for UMass, I cringed a little. That's not the brand the school's been developing.

However, I've always thought the school should embrace and channel the "work hard, play hard" culture that exists at UMass. If you want to cut down on binge drinking etc. you can't be adversarial about it. Refocusing some of that energy to other endevours is possible. Just not the way they've been trying to do it.

James said it affectionately. I believe most alumni use it that way as well. I've never heard a non-alum use it as an insult. Sometimes people are misinformed about the truth about UMass. I politely inform them that, yes, I partied hard at UMass. I also worked even harder in the classroom and got a damn fine education.

photoman · Senior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 918 Location: Attleboro

Actually if you ever ventured inside a BC message board and follow some threads about our move up and future games with them, the common reference to Umass is "The Zoo". "We'll never lose to the zoo", according to one BC fan. It's a term that's never meant as a compliment.

CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:50 pm Post subject:

Not being sarcastic at all here: I'm pretty sure the only negative outcry that his comment caused is confined to this message board.

The guy obviously loves his alma mater just as much as any of us. On facebook his profile pictures vary from NFL photos with those from his college days. He gives UMass shout outs all the time.

When he said it, I laughed. I laughed in the way any of us do when you think back to college memories at olde State U. I don't think he said it to rag on UMass or to shed a negative light on the social atmosphere of the school.

I think he said it because he's proud of his school, the education it provided him with, and the fact that UMass has a very real and discernible edge that anyone who spent four years on campus could and should have appreciated.

It's an inside joke and a term of endearment. When he said it, my social network blew up with about 20 people mentioning it and getting sentimental.

Those are the feelings his statement were supposed to conjure up - and it did.
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz