Its Friday! That means the official start of the basketball season. Join us tonight at KLUB KELLOGG at the Curry-Hicks Cage. The doors open at 6 p.m. for the Tip-Off Party. The men's and women's teams will be introduced to personally selected music selections. Of course the basketball festivities are just the precursor for Saturday's homecoming football game against No. 9 Richmond at 3:30 p.m. Get your tickets to the game where the 1998 NCAA Championship team will be honored. On Sunday, its Skate With the Minutemen at 2 p.m. at the Mullins Practice Rink.
As part of KLUB KELLOGG there will be the annual slam dunk contest and 3-point shootout. In the slam dunk contest look for defending champion Tony Gaffney to face a still challenge from freshman David Gibbs and sophomore transfer Sean Carter. The 3-point shootout will be battled out with Ricky Harris and Anthony Gurley the top picks.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette has a preview of Klub Kellogg and the event formerly known as Midnight Madness.
Legendary tailback Marcel Shipp was back on the UMass campus on Thursday visiting many of the UMass staffers including academic counselor and former teammate Lance Overby and strength coach Bob Otrando. Shipp also brought a surprise guest with him in his return to Amherst. He brought along the tailback who is second to him on most UMass rushing lists -- Steve Baylark. The pair of former Arizona Cardinals are both living in the Phoenix area and are still striving to return to the NFL.
The Palm Beach Post has a can't miss feature on Miami Dolphin Brandon London. The former Minuteman receiver is learning the Miami system and impressing coach Tony Sparano.
USCHO.com has its look ahead to the weekend of hockey. Despite UMass not playing a game over the weekend, its Tuesday game at RPI is included in the segment.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Its homecoming, so show your UMass spirit. Check out the UMass Official Online Store.
Don't miss this: What a homecoming weekend! Of course there is KLUB KELLOGG tonight at the Cage at 7 p.m. Then the huge homecoming football game against Richmond when the 1998 NCAA title team will be honored. On Sunday, its Skate With the Minutemen at 2 p.m. at the Mullins Practice Rink. Get to all three events and be part of the more than 20,000 UMass sports fans on campus this weekend.
Thursday, Oct. 16
We are on the verge of a huge weekend at UMass. Friday night its KLUB KELLOGG at the Curry-Hicks Cage with a Tip-Off Party to welcome the UMass basketball teams at 7 p.m. Get there early for free giveaways and your chance to see the Minutemen under new coach Derek Kellogg. Then on Saturday its Homecoming and the 1998 NCAA Championship Team reunion at the football clash against Richmond. Check out JTAM for a list of expected players from the 1998 team who should be on hand. Also, while you are on campus, be sure to take a stroll past the Mullins Center to see the new banners on the lightposts to honor the 100 Seasons Of UMass Basketball.
The Daily Collegian has stories on women's soccer. David Brinch previews Thursday's game at Rhode Island, which will be televised on COX in the Ocean State. Adam Miller takes a look at the Minutewomen's success at Rudd Field.
The Collegian has a recap of women's tennis team's win over UConn on Wednesday.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: You can find all your info on UMass' teams broadcasts on the internet, radio and television on the Watch & Listen page. The women's soccer game on Thursday will be available online and is being televised on COX Cable in Rhode Island.
The week is already at the half way point, and you know what Wednesday means, the UMass Sport Luncheon is here. This week, we honor, hockey goaltender Dan Meyers and cross country standout Andrew Mulvaney. The only action of the day comes from the women's tennis team who is set for its first dual match of the season as it travels to UConn for a 2:30 p.m. match. This edition of Just Take A Minute includes a number of articles about the Mass Attack hockey team along with a national media member with high praise for the UMass men's basketball team.
Dan Meyers' 40 saves in Saturday's 3-2 win over No. 5 North Dakota was listed as the Number of the Week in the Springfield Republican.
The New England Hockey Journal writes about the Mass Attack in its look at Hockey East action. Among the highlights is Meyers being named NEHJ Player of the Week.
The UMass hockey team is mentioned a number of times in an ESPN.com article about the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Senior forward Alex Berry is listed as making the All-Tournament team as well.
The men's basketball team is praised in Andy Katz's college basketball blog on ESPN.com. This time he included the Minutemen among at-large hopefuls for the upcoming season. As he said, "I wouldn't dismiss UMass with the return of Chris Lowe and Ricky Harris and a plethora of role players inside. They should thrive in Derek Kellogg's system."
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Want an easy way to find all your favorite UMass media guides? Then click here for the publications directory!
Don't miss this: The UMass Sports Luncheon from 12-1 p.m.! Also, check back to umassathletics.com to see how the tennis team faired against arch rival UConn!
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Welcome back to school or work, whichever it may be for you. Hope you enjoyed the beautiful Columbus Day weather in New England. The UMass football team has risen back to the Top 10 in both the media and coaches poll. On Tuesday look for the new field hockey poll, where UMass should have moved up from No. 17.
In the Sports Network media poll, UMass has risen to No. 10 from No. 13 last week. The Minutemen will be facing No. 9 Richmond on Saturday at the annual homecoming game. After a day off on Monday, the Daily Collegian provides the most coverage on Tuesday.
The FCS Coaches have moved UMass from No. 11 to No. 7 after the Minutemen's win at Northeastern on Saturday.
Check out the Sports Network's weekly round-up of FCS football focusing on Richmond and the Spiders' last second loss to No. 1 James Madison on a punt return for a touchdown.
From Richmond, the Time-Dispatch has an interesting notebook on the Spiders, UMass' football foe this weekend.
In its fall ball tournament, the UMass men's lacrosse team took part in the Catamount Classic at Vermont. Inside Lacrosse has a brief recap. UMass beat Holy Cross, Vermont and tied Dartmouth in its action
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: If you are looking to bring a group to UMass games, visit the ticket page with all the information.
Don't miss this: Look for the new NFHCA field hockey poll midday today as UMass looks to rise up the chart after two wins over the weekend.. Also the UMass/Dinn Brothers Athlete of the Week will be announced
Monday, Oct. 13
Happy Columbus Day! UMass teams dominated the weekend, posting a combined 6-2 record, highlighted by the hockey team's 3-2 win over #5 North Dakota on Friday and women's soccer's 1-0 topping of Dayton on Sunday for the team's first win over the Flyers since 1998. Check out Monday's Just Take A Minute for stories on hockey's weekend at the IceBreaker Tournament along with articles on football's 28-24 victory over Northeastern, and more.
While her field hockey team was impressing with wins over Richmond and Saint Louis, freshman goalkeeper Alesha Widdallwon Gold, for the United States in the Pan Am Junior Championship.
Jeff Thomas of the Springfield Republican takes a look back to the Northeastern victory and previews this Saturday's tough CAA homecoming matchup against Richmond.
The men's basketball team's backcourt is mentioned in the Random Notes section on a Fox Sports blog. Here's a snippet: "UMass coach Derek Kellogg will have backcourt depth for a couple years in a row with a nucleus of Ricky Harris, Anthony Gurley and [David] Gibbs."
Former UMass All-American goaltender Jon Quick was
praised (along with fellow goalie Jonathan Bernier) in a Manchester Monarchs Season Preview from the Union Leader.
Another former hockey All-American, Thomas Pock made his New York Islanders debut on Saturday, finishing the game with 18:22 of ice time and one shot.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Photos from field hockey's 5-0 win over Saint Louis from Sunday are now available, so be sure to check out the Photo Gallery.
Don't miss this: Check in for the latest polls involving UMass teams. Will the football team be back in the top 10? Field hockey in the top 15 and will hockey break into the poll after the huge win over North Dakota. Also, keep checking back to UMassAthletics.com throughout the day to see if some of your favorite UMass players were honored with weekly awards.
