Game 1 (2017) Hawaii

[gosox22]

So the game is 3 days away, and good old UMassStore.com has THREE, count 'em, THREE football items available for purchase. Good to see some things really never do change

Hopefully the UStore is more stocked than that sorry website.

[Old Cage]

^ Ha! The store will not be open one minute this weekend. The joke on us continues.

[rayers]

^ I can lend you some gear if you need some for Sat! I get to wear the newer stuff though.

[MajBugman]

I'm sure they will sell UMass gear at the game.

[MJatUM]

50 shades of maroon

[MajBugman]

Maybe someone will be selling these out of the back of a truck on University Drive.

Looking at EBay - UMass Jacket with a disturbing view of the back!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-UMass-Minu ... zgrYPp2gaw

[UMass02]

I'm sure they will sell UMass gear at the game.

You are correct - they have sold a limited amount of gear from a trailer at games in the past. For fans visiting campus and wanting a larger selection, the U Store would be a great stop. I don't understand why they wouldn't be open at least part of the day (say 11 to 5) for fans visiting campus before tailgating.

[Emilimo701]

Break up the drive with a stop at the new Tree House brewery on the way up.

Would it be slim pickings for trying to buy cans to-go on Saturdays? Or do they usually have some left (i.e. not just tap room pours)

[Steve81]

Went over to see how tickets were going and was encouraged as only one section in the maroon medium availability. The rest are low or grayed out. Realize 6 of those section are for students but think they will do a good job with youth day kids filling in many of those seats.

Perhaps we'll be over 12k and 15k could happen. Especially with maroon glasses on. A few days ago thought 15k would be impossible. Let's see if anyone asks AD Ryan Bamford at 3:30 PM during the facebook meeting today.

http://ev3.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce ... SplashPage

[Old Cage]

I'm sure they will sell UMass gear at the game.

You are correct - they have sold a limited amount of gear from a trailer at games in the past. For fans visiting campus and wanting a larger selection, the U Store would be a great stop. I don't understand why they wouldn't be open at least part of the day (say 11 to 5) for fans visiting campus before tailgating.

We had a specific need to buy a present at the store on Saturday so I emailed. Here is the recent response: "As of right now I am not aware if we will be open that weekend. We are closed weekends during the summer and once the students come back to campus is when we will start being open on the weekends." I'm sure that there will be some gear at the game.

[sldrums]

Break up the drive with a stop at the new Tree House brewery on the way up.

Would it be slim pickings for trying to buy cans to-go on Saturdays? Or do they usually have some left (i.e. not just tap room pours)

If you get there before 1 they usually have cans. Was hoping for an earlier game so the timing would work out. I'm planning on probably not getting cans, but getting a pour or two before tailgating.

[Berkman]

This is from the FB Blog:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/coll ... optimistic

[Rolling Ridge]

This is from the FB Blog:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/coll ... optimistic

Great read! That commitment to strength and conditioning cannot be over-stated. I think that's been a part of our lack of success in the second half, we just get gassed. If we can start seeing substantial improvements in areas like that, then I think the wins will start coming; whether that's this year or next.

Also a good reminder that it takes a lot of pieces and a lot of time to build a successful football program. Whip inherited a mess, and the fact that there is pretty good optimism about this year's team shows that he's done a pretty good job overall of building things up. Glad he and Bamford seem to be on the same page.

It's really nice to see UMass football get some fair, football-focused coverage. Good for the Herald.

My wife and I leave Quincy at 2 PM today and will spend the night with her mom in Belchertown. Can't wait for the game tomorrow, looking for that big W!!

[eldonabe]

This is from the FB Blog:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/coll ... optimistic

That was a great read. I have been impressed with Bamford - he is in a very unenviable position where he only has $1.00 to spend but needs $10,000 worth of stuff.


It is no secret what my feelings were on DK, but this article sums it up perfectly - it is not so much about wins and losses, it is about the culture and the building process. The wins will come if the foundation is set properly. In each case (Hockey and Men's/Women's hoops) the foundation was not being developed in a satisfactory way - plain and simple.

I can't wait to see all of the 4 major sports this year - the athletics at Umass are all pointing upwards!

[MJatUM]

One day away from finding out what kind of season we're going to have this year. My eternal optimism around UMass Athletics says we will win. But the devil on my right shoulder reminds me I'm a UMass fan.