University of Massachusets Athletics
Student Athlete Development in Review: 2025 Winter Bridge:
June 11, 2025 | Football, General, Academic Success
Student Athlete Development in Review: 2025 Winter Bridge
The University of Massachusetts student-athlete development department held its third annual winter bridge program
The University of Massachusetts student-athlete development department held its third annual winter bridge program this past January. The three-day program was set-up to assist student-athletes who enroll mid-year get acclimated to campus and prepare for the semester ahead.
Between 25-30 student-athletes attended, participating in multiple sessions each day from January 22-24, with instruction focused on becoming prepared for the upcoming semester. Sessions included information on NIL, financial aid, nutrition, mental health, financial literacy, gambling prevention, and sports medicine. The general schedule and full list of sessions provided can be found below.
Wednesday - 1/22:
- Breakfast
- Sports Med ppt & forms
- UCards, Equipment, S&C
- Lunch
- Meet the AD
- NIL, COA, Refunds, Gambling
- Compliance and ARMS Forms
- Financial Literacy with UMass 5
- Dinner
- Men's Basketball Game
Thursday - 1/23:
- Breakfast
- Athletic Training
- Lunch with UMass Administration
- Belonging (Director of DEI Bilal Salaam)
- Academics
- LEP Screening
- Drop-In Advising
- Dinner
Friday - 1/24:
- Breakfast
- Nutrition (Nutritionist Molly Barnes)
- Mental Health
- Financial Aid
- Lunch
- Physicals
Massachusetts Football also attended a pair of community service events during the spring semester with a mix of newcomers and returning student athletes taking part. UMass student-athletes interacted with school children from both the Westfield and Amherst communities, taking time to foster relationships, play games and celebrate improved test scores.
Community Service opportunities:
Westfield Intermediate School - 2/7
- Nine student-athlete participants
- Celebrated improved test scores of kids and played games with kids
Amherst Winterfest - 2/15
- 11 student-athlete participants
- Aided in set up and clean up of the event
- Welcomed kids, played games in the snow, went on scavenger hunt, helped with cider donut eating contest
