UMassHoops.com

[Swampy]

[InnervisionsUMASS]

^

Impossible... he doesn't come to Amherst at all!

[chapter 11]

seems people on this board would be at least in favor of supporting a move up. However, I wonder how the vast majority of alumni and others view it. And what about the board of trustees? Seems down south they basically direct the moves of the admnistrators. Do we have any prominent members of the board who are in favor of the move? Seems my letter to the chancellor would not be of much influence unless it was accompanied by a check which I can't write. I know new england isnt a hot bed of football interest amongst its public universities, yet UMass should not be content to merely fit in with those types of schools. We have to much of a profile to not strive to enhance our image. I keep reading of our school's hidden treasures and sleeping talents. Yet we don't capitalize on them enough. Step it up.

[cox'n]

[jjmc85]

[Sheck]

I wouldn't be against a move to FBS, but let's be realistic about it. This is the only possibility to move up.

[Emilimo701]

[DEM]

Being in a football conference with Buffalo and Temple wouldn't be a bad thing. Though, I'm not sure if I'd be for it if it meant forfeiting our A-10 affiliation in basketball.

[lane one]

Rayers - I think it takes about $15000 to get an endowment activated, but the university can put an amount less than that into a holding account until it reaches the magic number, if you can show a good faith reason to believe it will get there. If you can pull together 8 people who would be willing to give $1000 for two years, you are there. (I know you can do this because my wife and I set up an endowment by chipping away over a few years) The University already has a mechanism for donating per month by credit card. (I know this because I was told this in May)

I made this recommendation about 4 years ago, but the way for alumni to show they want to push football to the next level is to set the endownment up so that 1) it is used for football scholarships; and 2) it can't be touched for 10 years or until football moves up to the division formerly known as I-A, whichever comes first.

I know how to multiply the cost of scholarships x 15 scholarships x 20 to get them endowed. Yeah, its a huge number. But if thats what you want to have happen, I think that not being able to write an enormous check is a bad reason to not write a reasonable sized check. If there really are enough people who will step up there giving for I-A, this account is a place to put their money where their mouths are - make it simple for all the others. It would sure help UMass negotiate their way into a conference if this account grew in leaps and bounds over the next few years because it would show an enthusiastic fan base. Worst case scenario is that the football team gets a moderate boost in its budget in 10 years when a small endownment becomes available.

Honestly, since 4 years ago when I first proposed this, football attendance has increased significantly, and I think their level of play has as well.

[Quann]

[Quann]

[MFK 88]

The article mentions that Temple might bolt the MAC soon. If they went to C-USA it would be worth exploring (football only). The road trips to Tulane would be outstanding!

[Wardy]

[rayers]

lane one seems like you have done some leg work on this. I would hope that the admin would research the idea. Otherwise it may be something that can be started as a booster org like Select 100 of which I'm a founding member. Hey if someone has the time and motivation to get the ball rolling I'd love to help. What ever happpened to the football booster group that was formed a few years ago?

[Jack]

UMass would be an excellent addition to a FBS Conference. I would look at any upgrade as a process and if we had to temporarily cut back on lax and hockey ships to make it work, it woulfd be worth it in the long run imho.