Kumble Subbaswamy with MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher (Photo: UMassAthletics.com)
After making some inauspicious comments to The New York Times, UMass Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy is again talking about the university’s football program. UMass Athletics issued a press release on Wednesday with the following quote from the rookie Chancellor:
“As the college football post-season concludes, the University of Massachusetts community is looking forward to preparing for a second season of competition in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Having successfully concluded our transitional first season, the Minutemen have now achieved full membership in the FBS,” said Chancellor Subbaswamy. “I am fully committed to working with Athletic Director John McCutcheon and Coach Molnar to ensure that our participation at the premier level of college football continues to be a source of pride for years to come for everyone associated with our great university. I look forward to seeing all of our old and new UMass fans next season as we build an outstanding football program together. GO UMASS!”
Subbaswamy is clearly responding to recent criticism with an awkwardly timed press release about “Upcoming Spring Football Events.” The full text of the release can be read here.
It’s unusual that the release was sent from the athletic department and not the UMass Office of News and Media Relations. I also think it’s abundantly apparent that the only purpose of the release was to provide the Chancellor an opportunity to reach UMass fans with a positive message. Normally I wouldn’t consider that a bad thing, but in this case I think the Chancellor is once again doing nothing more than placating to a particular group of people in the UMass community. The task of figuring out what Kumble Subbaswamy’s real level of commitment to UMass Football is has become increasingly difficult.
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He might not be Chancellor Holub, but let’s give the guy a break for his gaff, and a little credit for responding to us in a positive way. Face it, things could be much, much worse. Would you prefer he not say anything?
I think we owe him a bit of thanks and support for this – after all, declaring any support for the football program is likely to have that vocal minority of non-forward thinking profs pretty angry.
Awkward is the perfect description. I couldn’t believe the headline when I saw it on UMassAthletics.com just a few minutes ago. I felt awkward reading it. Whatever the case, I believe, whether he wants to or not, that Swammy has been pushed to support football for the time being. Credit to MM, UMass Hoops, and UMass fans everywhere for speaking out about the program. Keep it up.
As is always the case, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression!
from good ol’ Sec 109 row 22 where the glass is half full.
All I can say about a lot of what is posted is WOW ! ! ! ! ! !
Maybe my rose colored glasses are on tilt or something but even on my best guesstimate I did not see this yrs team winning more than 3-4 games( Miami, Buffalo, Akron and I was really out of it when I thought we could beat Indiana since they were way better than us).
At the same time it was pretty well known that the cupboard was pretty well bare from ’11-’12 especially on offense. We had our QB coming back and except for my favorite TE Gronkflower no one was back who touched the ball at all. Then our QB has post concussion issues and he is out. Will he be able to come back? Hope so but I’d rather he was ok for the rest of his life.
So we play w/ basically a pair of Freshman QB’s who at times look very much like freshman. We have players all over the place who looked like – at times – they were swimming in the deep water for the first time.
At the same time – as the season went on – except for the Northern ILL game which was a borderline debacle – - – - I thought we battled pretty well for the most part.
Could we have won a few? Yes – in particular I thought Ohio was winnable along with the Buffalo and Miami games and maybe even Central Michigan. Just saying we did win these or even a few of these would so many be typing so much b/s?
Really doubt it.
This whole program is just coming around towards becoming a D1 program. They are not even halfway there yet. We do not even have 85 scholarship players on board. This staff has on hand maybe 5-7 players they recruited. The rest are doing their best to do a good job and deserve some recognition for how they have done and how they will likely improve.
Shoot at the Indiana game I talked with Al Leneus at the concession stand. Late in the season he was playing almost every down as a walk-on Guard who did well as a true freshman. When I first saw #46 Joey Colton against Indiana I was not too encouraged but every game he got better and better and better. Many of the young OL’s battled and battled. B Potvin – after his leg got better – played like we’d expect him to. So many others battled as well.
Shoot we even have kickers and punters who do well now.
OK our Chancellor has much to learn but at least he is trying to correct his mistake.
For me – we are planning on going to Madison WI to see how much we improve. The 2013 schedule looks no easier than the 2012 one but i do think we will continue to get better and will have a better record.
Keep the Faith
Larry Sec 109 Row 22.
Atta boy Larry … preach.
Thanks Bob
the glass is halfway in section 109 n it is going to get “fuller”
Would much rather be here n go for the ride than some pink hat.
We are going to be better in 2013.
Take care Larry. Sec 109 row 22
Another Chancellor who doesn’t have a clue about athletics, this is a modest at best attempt to cover his ass. WEAK! For FBS to work we need the following; an extremely supportive chancellor, an athletic department that can rally the UMass football alumni which the The Friends of UMass Football did not get done, and the UMass alumni as a whole to show some damn school spirit and get to Gillette!!!
Maybe the Chancellor should send this statement to Shane Huber…
Too little, too late if you ask me. Where was this weeks ago when the umass bashing started. He should have responded the next day. Very disappointed in the support from the school.
I agree. This is way too little and about a month and a half to late.
But, it is still very nice to at least see something positive for the program.
100% credit due to Maroon Musket, UMasshoops.com and all poster who wrote the chancellor. I am impressed that we got this done.
Last paragraph hit the nail on the head Beetle.