Games 28 & 29, 2021-22: Fordham (away 2/28, home 3/2)

[MikeUMA]

Getting this started a little early, as there has been news that Fordham is locking out fans for their next few games, including ours on January 2. Bummer for me as I try to get down to Rose Hill for every UM game. Saw some other UMies in attendance last time around, so no #UMassTwitter gathering in the Bronx this year, again.

https://fordhamsports.com/sports/2021/8 ... -2021.aspx

[chapter 11]

That sucks yet I understand it. This game is always a great family excursion from Manhattan. And always fun catching up with old friends while hearing some funny on court and bench comments in a cozy setting. Be well all.

[69MG]

Bringing this to the top. As of this minute, the game is still on with NO FANS. Here's Fordham's policy for visiting teams:

Visiting Teams/Staff
All visiting team members, including coaches, student-athletes, and support staff must be vaccinated for all events (both indoor and outdoor competitions).
Individuals must show proof of vaccination when they arrive on campus.
The University will not allow any unvaccinated visiting team members or coaches to enter campus.

I hope we know these rules going down there and take care of the details.

[mdogt12]

https://umassathletics.com/news/2022/1/ ... poned.aspx
Game off due to Fordham COVID issues

[69MG]

It's probably too short notice to get a game tomorrow. Since we have an away game (maybe) on Wednesday I wouldn't try to play on Monday. We're now down 2 A10 games already and it's going to be hard for the A10 to find a way to reschedule all of the missed games.

[Juice Stand]

Are you kidding me? This season is getting dangerously close to being F****d.

[bmc24]

…whatever

[inthescoop]

Our AD really needs to step up and schedule something.

[Juice Stand]

^ URI had a game cancellation today, just like we did, and they were able to schedule AIC on short notice. It's a D2 game, but whatever, it's a game. Our guys are going to be so rusty coming off a two and a half week pause with famously gluttonous Christmas and New Years holidays sprinkled in between.

https://www.providencejournal.com/story ... 070428002/

[Kelz626]

This is disgraceful by Bamford. URI can get AIC to travel to them on short notice but UMass can’t get a game against AIC, Springfield College, Amherst, WNEC, Westfield State or anyone in the area? Starting to become convinced he is trying to make this season more of a shitshow he can blame on COVID so he doesn’t have to fire both his major hires (Bell and McCall) in the same academic year. Guarantee if we start off slow in A10 play the narrative will be “well we haven’t played a game in 3 weeks we have to get back into game mode”

[Berko]

Amazing that URI can get a game on short notice with a team willing to play just 25 miles away. What the hell is Bamford doing. This is a disgrace. Wasn't Holy Cross looking for a game back on the 23'rd and he did nothing. Just amazing.

[uz2b-len]

Please write to the Chancellor with your complaints.

[inthescoop]

Please write to the Chancellor with your complaints.

I really wish these complaints would make a difference, unfortunately they do not.

[Floyd]

Seems like we haven't played a game in 3 months. Glad I skipped my season tix this year

[palm14]

Two things are true.

COVID is a serious issue and should be treated as such by everyone involved in athletic departments across the country. I hope everyone involved in our active programs remains safe, healthy, and takes the necessary steps to protect themselves and their teammates/coaches.

Second. Bamford isn’t scheduling a game to protect McCall. No game against an “inferior” local opponent = McCall can’t potentially get embarrassed. No games period = COVID can be blamed for another subpar season and McCall gets another year. “We were making progress (by hanging on to beat Fairfield lol) before COVID halted our momentum. We were in prime position to make a run at the A10 title until current events kept us off the court for a few weeks.”

Programs across the country, some smaller than ours, some larger, have been able to get a game or two together. If Bamford isn’t protecting McCall, than this is further proof he just stinks at his job. Either way the guy is a problem for our University.