(07-09-2015 06:46 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 03:57 PM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 02:23 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 01:43 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 01:22 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  Dear "Majority of UMass Fans",

*** you, get over yourself. You're not better than us.

Love,

"Directional Schools from Ohio and Michigan"

Let me know when MAC BB has national respect. For instance getting an at-large bid to either Big Dance or NIT.

Let us know when your football team is actually relevant.

Signed,

Everyone who doesn't give a **** about UMASS

Okay, we will.


So much hostility here.

No...... We are sick and tired of hearing about how great UMASS was in the 90's in basketball. It's irrelevant.

Coincidentally that is the time the MAC was even better at basketball and were getting at large bids.

Though even in the 2000s there were times where the MAC would have had multiple bids if Kent State and others would have had the good graces to lose those years (and I think there were a couple times we may have been hosed but that is another discussion for another time).

(07-09-2015 06:46 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 03:57 PM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 02:23 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 01:43 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 01:22 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  Dear "Majority of UMass Fans",

*** you, get over yourself. You're not better than us.

Love,

"Directional Schools from Ohio and Michigan"

Let me know when MAC BB has national respect. For instance getting an at-large bid to either Big Dance or NIT.

Let us know when your football team is actually relevant.

Signed,

Everyone who doesn't give a **** about UMASS

Okay, we will.


So much hostility here.

No...... We are sick and tired of hearing about how great UMASS was in the 90's in basketball. It's irrelevant.

Not saying we've been rank number 1 but have been good most years. Since 2007 have been an at large bid team to the NIT 4 times and NCAA once, that's 5 times out of 8 years and with 2 NIT final fours plus the NCAA in 2014.

Since 2007 the MAC has received zero at-large bids and only had Akron in 2008, when being the regular season winner lost in the conference tournament.

CUSA year in and year out has a better chance for an at-large bid.

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

(07-10-2015 07:57 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

(07-09-2015 05:49 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Camby and Calipari were a long time ago, and Julius ERving was a long time before that. UMass is acting as if they had Xavier's basketball program or Temple's, so that a move to the MAC would damage the program the way people worry about the AAC bringing down UConn. (Calm down, UConn will be fine, but there are those who disagree.)
Meanwhile they seem to have no idea of the commitment everyone else moving up to FBS is putting into FBS. They're acting like they aspire to be the Idaho VAndals or NMSU or ULM or EMU.
They talk about what conference they'd prefer to be in (AAC / MAC / CUSA / Sun Belt) when it's doubtful any FBS conference wants any part of them. UMass has been a free agent for over a year, while the Sun Belt is sitting at 11 for football, and there doesn't seem to be any interest.
The demand for live football tickets in NEw ENgland was wildly overestimated, and I don't think UMAss knows what to do now.

Exactly, no offense to UMass, however, they are the Frankenstien monster of collegiate athletics right now. Which FBS would really invite that monster on board?

(07-09-2015 06:55 PM)MJG Wrote:  The CFP money is per team up to twelve.
Say it is 1.5 million give the football only members half.
Give each visited team a hundred k and the conference keep the rest. With little to no media income it would help. Otherwise the money is eleven times a million and a half get it.
Money is left on the table if under twelve members.
Inviting Coastal solves Olympic sports scheduling problems.
Once three Southeastern schools are willing and able . Kick out all the members who aren't full members.

Generally correct but technically wrong. Though one component of the CFP money is the $1M pay-out per school, there are a myriad of other dollars that come as well. There's the conference placing dollars, the APR money, the CCG (think they are passing something where one can be held with <12 members), the Play-off auto-invite, bowl dollars, t.v. revenue, etc.

So the million would be paid for the extra school, but that's good for the school that just came in but does nothing for the existing members ($10M/10 = $12M/12). Then all the extra dollars are divided by 12 instead of 10.

I'm just saying if the schools don't add value it's a net negative to increase the number of members.

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 07:57 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU better figure out that you dance with who asks you to the formal or you sit at home. They are going to end up stuck in FCS. Accept the Sunbelt invite, kick butt, and the conference you prefer will eventually come calling. JMU needs to make the jump before the opportunity is gone.

(07-10-2015 07:57 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

I have a feeling they might be better off starting from scratch with a small stadium (like Tulane) that is designed to expand in stages (like Houston). A modern stadium with good sight lines, modern concourses, and plenty of bells and whistles is going to be the best way to build attendance and wedge their way into a conference. I think it's also going to be cheaper in the long run.

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

(07-10-2015 07:57 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

Well this is good. Can he also mention the situation on getting to the stadium and parking around the stadium as well though? It would be sad to kill off some of the greenery, but some wider roads and a few more parking lots around the stadium couldn't hurt.

But I'm glad to see he's gone public with that, hopefully they can start doing some actual upgrades in the next few years...might be possible thanks to the independent scheduling, since it would be easier to get teams to want to play at Gillette than at McGuirk. I'd be happy to keep going there for a few years if it means we get an actual stadium with actual bathrooms on campus.

(07-10-2015 09:26 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

Was it true that if UMass joined all-sports that an invite all-sports to JMU was potentially in the works? I've been to the JMU campus and it's quite nice, and the stadium is solid. The University of Delaware is another nice stadium that's clearly a step above McGuirk.

(07-10-2015 10:20 AM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:26 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

Was it true that if UMass joined all-sports that an invite all-sports to JMU was potentially in the works? I've been to the JMU campus and it's quite nice, and the stadium is solid. The University of Delaware is another nice stadium that's clearly a step above McGuirk.

I we reading that on these boards, but I don't know if it was any more than rumor. It would have made sense to me though.

(07-10-2015 07:27 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 06:46 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 03:57 PM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 02:23 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(07-09-2015 01:43 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Let me know when MAC BB has national respect. For instance getting an at-large bid to either Big Dance or NIT.

Let us know when your football team is actually relevant.

Signed,

Everyone who doesn't give a **** about UMASS

Okay, we will.


So much hostility here.

No...... We are sick and tired of hearing about how great UMASS was in the 90's in basketball. It's irrelevant.

Not saying we've been rank number 1 but have been good most years. Since 2007 have been an at large bid team to the NIT 4 times and NCAA once, that's 5 times out of 8 years and with 2 NIT final fours plus the NCAA in 2014.

Since 2007 the MAC has received zero at-large bids and only had Akron in 2008, when being the regular season winner lost in the conference tournament.

CUSA year in and year out has a better chance for an at-large bid.

As a basketball conference the A10 is greater than the MAC. BUT,

As a basketball program, UMass is not greater than the best teams in the MAC.

If UMass wasn't a founding member of the A10 they wouldn't have the resume today to get in, I think we can agree on that. Therefore, its totally understandable why UMass fans would be extremely hesitant to leave because it guarentees a step down. But staying in the A10 creates a situation that I believe is impossible for UMass football to succeed.

Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.

(07-10-2015 10:20 AM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:26 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

Was it true that if UMass joined all-sports that an invite all-sports to JMU was potentially in the works? I've been to the JMU campus and it's quite nice, and the stadium is solid. The University of Delaware is another nice stadium that's clearly a step above McGuirk.

JMU was in.

They were the most prepared of any FCS candidates to move up to the top level and a good bargaining chip for further expansion into the Southeast (Marshall, App State) or Delaware down the road.

(07-10-2015 09:15 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 07:57 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU better figure out that you dance with who asks you to the formal or you sit at home. They are going to end up stuck in FCS. Accept the Sunbelt invite, kick butt, and the conference you prefer will eventually come calling. JMU needs to make the jump before the opportunity is gone.

I don't disagree. Our leaders have ruled the SBC out.

(07-10-2015 11:07 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:15 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 07:57 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU better figure out that you dance with who asks you to the formal or you sit at home. They are going to end up stuck in FCS. Accept the Sunbelt invite, kick butt, and the conference you prefer will eventually come calling. JMU needs to make the jump before the opportunity is gone.

I don't disagree. Our leaders have ruled the SBC out.

Staying out of the SBC has kept you away from that $2.5 million dollar exit fee.

(07-10-2015 10:20 AM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:26 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

Was it true that if UMass joined all-sports that an invite all-sports to JMU was potentially in the works? I've been to the JMU campus and it's quite nice, and the stadium is solid. The University of Delaware is another nice stadium that's clearly a step above McGuirk.

It's my understanding Delaware has absolutely no desire to go to FBS.

(07-11-2015 08:28 AM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 10:20 AM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:26 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

Was it true that if UMass joined all-sports that an invite all-sports to JMU was potentially in the works? I've been to the JMU campus and it's quite nice, and the stadium is solid. The University of Delaware is another nice stadium that's clearly a step above McGuirk.

It's my understanding Delaware has absolutely no desire to go to FBS.

UD seems to be deemphasizing athletics, period. Stony Brook would likely be JMU's partner to the MAC now.

(07-11-2015 10:02 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-11-2015 08:28 AM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 10:20 AM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:26 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

Was it true that if UMass joined all-sports that an invite all-sports to JMU was potentially in the works? I've been to the JMU campus and it's quite nice, and the stadium is solid. The University of Delaware is another nice stadium that's clearly a step above McGuirk.

It's my understanding Delaware has absolutely no desire to go to FBS.

UD seems to be deemphasizing athletics, period. Stony Brook would likely be JMU's partner to the MAC now.

Why would the MAC go after stoner when it could pursue an existing FBS school?

Marshall. Charlotte. Appy St.

(07-11-2015 11:56 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(07-11-2015 10:02 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-11-2015 08:28 AM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 10:20 AM)e-parade Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:26 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  JMU looks like it would be a great addition to the MAC. No doubt in my mind that JMU is at the top of the MAC's expansion list. Unfortunately with the CFP money maxing out at 12 teams you guys are on hold until someone leaves.

Was it true that if UMass joined all-sports that an invite all-sports to JMU was potentially in the works? I've been to the JMU campus and it's quite nice, and the stadium is solid. The University of Delaware is another nice stadium that's clearly a step above McGuirk.

It's my understanding Delaware has absolutely no desire to go to FBS.

UD seems to be deemphasizing athletics, period. Stony Brook would likely be JMU's partner to the MAC now.

Why would the MAC go after stoner when it could pursue an existing FBS school?

Marshall. Charlotte. Appy St.

Marshall would not take a step back. They might be looking to the AAC, and hopefully that the ACC gets raided enough that they get in.
Charlotte does not have the history, and may not fit.
App. State will not pay that exit fee right now just shortly after joining the FBS.

Only teams that are ready for FBS is James Madison, Youngstown State, Towson, Delaware, Stony Brook, Liberty, Northern Iowa and Missouri State within the footprint, but I see some MVC schools like Illinois State and Indiana State as well. Richmond is too small to even go to FBS.
New Hampshire is also upgrading their stadium as well. New Hampshire and U. Mass. could make an all sports MAC members. New Hampshire would be a much better travel partner with U. Mass.