University of Massachusets Athletics
Ask The A.D.: McCutcheon Answers Your Questions
October 28, 2004 | General
Oct. 28, 2004
Here's the first installment of answers to the new feature on umassathletics.com, Ask The A.D. UMass Director of Athletics John McCutcheon is taking questions about the program. Here are the most recent responses.
Question: Hi, I just wanted to get your perspective on where you see the state of UMass athletics going in the next 5-10 years. Jason From Northampton
McCutcheon: Jason, we are planning for a dynamic period of significant growth over the next five to ten years. Some of this progress will be very visible in the form of facility renovations and new construction in several areas. The new track will begin construction this spring and our initial focus regarding facility renovations includes a new state of the art artificial playing surface and permanent lights at McGuirk Stadium along with improvements to our support facilities at Boyden Gymnasium.
The other areas of growth are less visible but just as important to our future success. Primary among these is growth of scholarship support as well as expanding our resources in the areas of Sports Medicine, Strength and Conditioning and Academic Advising in addition to addressing the ever increasing demands on our operating budgets.
To accomplish these objectives it will require that we maximize the effective utilization of our current resources and identify ways to increase income and identify new revenue opportunities. We have restructured several areas of our administration in order to facilitate this effort. To reach these goals we will need significant support from our fans and supporters. Garret Waller has recently been hired as Assistant Director for annual giving and I hope that all of the UMass Athletic family will welcome him and get involved with the annual campaign to support athletic scholarships.
Our goal is to be nationally competitive in every sport we offer and to give every sport the resources to compete for their respective conference championship. Additionally we want every student athlete to receive a quality experience both academically and athletically while at UMass. To accomplish this we will proceed aggressively and responsibility in order to build a program we can all be proud of.
Question: Mr. McCutcheon, I am a young UMass fan and love to come to games when I get a chance. I was wondering if you were going to be selling a men's basketball jersey or a football jersey at any of the games this fall and winter? Joe From South Windsor, Conn.
McCutcheon: Joe, in speaking with the University store they are looking into selling UMass men's basketball replica jerseys at the Mullins Center again this year. In regards to football replica jerseys, they will look into selling the jerseys for the 2005 season since there are only two home games remaining. Thanks for your interest and hope to see you in your Maroon & White.
