Saturday, March 31, 2007

CAA North

While UMass football news has been slow the last few days, I've continued investigating moving this Blog off Blogger to a private server. Blogger is limited in a number of ways. Hope to have some news about that soon.

We do have some UMass History in the works. I have scans of UMass football rosters from the early 70's and once all that material is together, I'll be doing a blog post.

There is some news about the CAA North available. Maine (who I think may contend with UMass for the CAA North title this year) has its spring prospectus out (pdf).

There is also new from the Rhode Island Rams. They have some images from spring practice here . Interesting is an interview with their Coach Tim Stowers. After years of neglect, the Rams have actually made some capital improvements to their football program.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Jason hatchell's Spring Practice Blog


The Official UMass Football page has a new feature---a Spring Practice Blog by UMass LB Jason Hatchell.

The CAA also has more Spring Blogs from other CAA teams here .

Worth reading.

UMass History 1978 part II

Below are a few scans from the 11/11/78 Holy Cross-UMass game program from Fitton Field in Worcester.

Right Click and Blogger displays a larger view.

I've included it because it has some UMass material that was not available in the previous blog entry-----I just found it in my vast achieves :)

The Holy Cross player on the cover is Peter Colombo a 5-8 175 pd Senior QB from Brockton, MA

The game program describes Holy Cross' Peter Hurley OG as "one of the top professional prospects in the East". He was AP All-East and All-New England. Look up his size and weight from the Holy Cross roster. Times sure have changed.

UMass-Holy Cross Game Program 11/118/1978

UMass Posed Shots from 1978 I

UMass Posed Shots from 1978 II

1978 Holy Cross Roster

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Coach Crist to Return


Matt Vautour has an article about UMass sports in today's Hampshire Gazette. At the end of the article he talks of UMass filling two assistant coaching positions. He states that former UMass assistant coach Brian Crist will be returning this spring.

I've done several blogs about this. With the addition of Crist, two of the three positions will be filled.

The image to the right is a scan from the 1999 UMass Press Guide.

Welcome home Coach Crist!

Peter McCarty Assistant Coach at Western Michigan


If you will scroll down to this Tuesday's Blog (3/20/07) about the 1977 UMass team, you'll see an image of the '77 Captains.

Peter McCarty went on to be a career college football coach. He is currently coaching at Western Michigan.

McCarty had coaching stops at UCF, Stanford, Illinois, Maryland and Holy Cross.

The Bronco's play FCS/I-AA team CCSU this year.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Sean Spencer Returns



The UMass website has news that Coach Sean Spencer has returned as Defensive Line/Special Teams coach.

The image to the right is a scan from the 2002 UMass Press Guide.

Welcome back Coach Spencer!

We've blogged before that Coach Tirrell is leaving for private business. Coaches Bob Shoop and Brian Smith left for a Defensive Coordinator job with William & Mary and the NFL respectively.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Scans from 1978--- Boston College and Villanova

The Following images are scans from two 1978 UMass game programs.

Right click and Blogger displays a larger view.

This was the team that advanced to the very first I-AA National Championship game against FAMU in Wichita Falls.

UMass lost to Villanova, which was led by Howie Long 21-25. Remember the Wildcats were I-A in 1978.

UMass beat the Fred Smerlas led Boston College Eagles 27-0 in front of a sold out McGuirk stadium.

UMass crushed #1 seeded Nevada Reno in the first Playoff game and lost to FAMU 28-35 in the National Championship Game.

UMass-BC 11/25/78 Game Program

1978 Team Photo

1978 UMass Captains

1978 UMass Coaches

1978 Umass Roster

1978 Intramurals Champs

1978 UMass Defensive Starters

1978 UMass Offensive Starters

1978 BC Captains