University of Massachusets Athletics
Ask The A.D. - McCutcheon Answers Your Questions, Part V
January 31, 2005 | General
Jan. 31, 2005
UMass Director of Athletics John McCutcheon returns to answer your questions for this installment of "Ask The A.D." He touches on several topics. Remember you can always submit questions here on umassathletics.com.
Question: First off I think you've done a really good job at stabilizing the athletic infrastructure at UMass (in light of the last few tumultuous years in terms of A.D. turnover and sub-par success of marquee programs) and creating a sense that things are headed in the right direction. For a school where the majority of Alumni that remain in state are located in the eastern portion of Mass near Boston what types of things do you see being an effective way to publicize UMass to this audience as well as create a consistent line of communication with them?
I am alum and am interested about all facets of the program but often find little to no coverage out this way. It's honestly a travesty when the flagship, state school in merely an afterthought in the state's capital. Thank for your time and good luck in the future!
From Scott in Boston
McCutcheon: Thanks for the question Scott. We are constantly looking for ways to reach out to our alumni and supporters in the eastern half of the state. While we can never dictate what the Boston area media chooses to cover and how, we can certainly make sure that they receive timely and accurate information about our programs. We are committed to running a first class media relations department and I think the staff that Jason Yellin our Assistant Director for Media Relations has assembled will do just that.
We are also renovating a new media relations suite in Boyden Gym to give them the physical resources to do the job as effectively as possible. Some of the things that we will focus on are expanding our internet services to include web broadcasts and even more exposure on our web page. We will look to expand our radio penetration into eastern Mass and explore all TV opportunities. Until we find a way to develop the transporter beam from Star Trek, It doesn't look like Amherst is going to get any closer to the Atlantic coast so we will look for any and all opportunities to keep our Alumni and fans as in touch and connected as possible. Beam me up Scotty!
Question : What does John McCutcheon like to do to relax when he is not trying to improve the state of UMass Athletics.
Ben, Fairfax, Calif.
McCutcheon: Well I don't know if I would say it helps me relax but I do attempt to play golf whenever I have a chance. The other thing I enjoy is reading. As a matter of fact I just finished a book that UMass Alum and legendary pitcher, Paul "Lefty" Wennick gave me titled, Waiting for Teddy Williams by Howard Frank Mosher. It isn't about the splendid splinter but it is a great New England baseball novel that if you like baseball you should read.
Thanks Ben!
Question: Do you believe conference realignment is really over? Do you see UMass moving to a new conference (I-A football) in the future. Do you think UMass is in good position to bolt from the A-10 if the situation is right?
Thanks, Larry, Dover, Delaware
McCutcheon: I don't think conference realignment will ever be over. There will always be shifting as institutions seek what they perceive to be more advantageous situations. I see the next potential round of significant change around 2010. This is when the current BCS agreements are set to expire. This could cause another domino effect similar to the one college athletics has just gone through. Where UMass fits in any potential changes I couldn't say at this time. I do know that we are very well served by our membership in the Atlantic 10 and that our best position for any future movement is to continue to strive to develop nationally competitive programs in all sports we support. This will take a joint effort from our supporters, coaches, staff, administration and student athletes and I know that working together we can reach this goal.
