I’ve been enjoying the mailbag questions during the past few weeks, and apparently you guys have, too. Last week we had more than 50 comments, and at one point there was so much activity that the blog blew a tire, and the server went down. I guess that’s a good problem to have – especially for a college football blog in March.
I definitely appreciate all the reader interaction. Please keep the questions coming (maroonmusket@gmail.com).
This week’s question is from Jack Pardi.
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Do you ever see UMass playing all home games at McGuirk?
This is the million-dollar (30 million?) question. I think a number of things need to be determined before we know the answer for sure.
What we know now is that the McGuirk upgrades are slated to be finished by 2014. At that time, there will be a new press box and an endzone facility that will serve as a one-stop shop for the football team. Judging by early renderings, there will also be significant work done to the area surrounding McGuirk. We also know that there is are no plans to expand the stadium’s 17,000-person capacity.
If everything goes to plan, the Minutemen could host their first home game in Amherst during the 2014 season. That being said, it is infinitely unlikely that either Boston College or Colorado – UMass’ two home out-of-conference opponents – will play anywhere but Gillette. More likely: UMass plays a mid-week game against a MAC opponent. I think that game will be a fun, and quite frankly welcome, experience on campus.
After 2014, there is only one out-of-conference home game scheduled: Sept. 8, 2018 against Vanderbilt. The license to use Gillette Stadium officially ends on June 20, 2017. It is conceivable that UMass will be able to hold that game on campus, but it seems far more likely that a new agreement will be entered into in which “big” games, like Vanderbilt, will be played at Gillette.
After 2014, things get a little fuzzy.
The athletic department has been pretty quiet when it comes to UMass’ future at McGuirk. Back in October, Athletic Director John McCutcheon told the Maroon Musket that “we anticipate we will play at least one game per year on campus.” He also indicated that there was no set amount of McGuirk home games in the future.
“It would be premature to speculate on the balance of games between Gillette and McGuirk in the future, but the current agreement with Gillette runs through the 2016 season,” McCutcheon said.
My guess is that everything depends on UMass’ future conference affiliation. If the Minutemen maintain the status quo in the MAC, an improved McGuirk could be the answer for conference games. UMass could then create a custom-fit relationship with Gillette where it plays bigger, out-of-conference opponents in Eastern Massachusetts.
In a way, the Minutemen could have their cake and eat it, too. UMass could drum up more exposure in the Boston area with marquee games against SEC, Big 10 and ACC opponents. Meanwhile, the Minutemen could play MAC schools on campus and engage the student body. UMass could conceivably play a team like Michigan at Gillette and then have Homecoming against Ohio at McGuirk.
During a standard season, that would be a 4/2 split between McGuirk and Gillette, respectively. In a way, I like that math.
However, I think the entire equation changes if UMass leaves the MAC and joins the America 12, or whatever that odd juxtaposition of teams is called.
If the Minutemen are put in a position where they are paired with the likes of UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, USF and Houston, I think Gillette is home sweet home. There is no way this “new” conference will allow the Minutemen to play any games in Amherst unless McGuirk gets an unprecedented facelift. The America 12 wants to establish itself early, and it can’t do that if one of its members plays at a facility that barely passes muster in the MAC.
I personally believe the 4/2 split would be good for the program. Four games at McGuirk would be great for both alumni and students. The older folks would have a reason to head back to their alma mater, grab a slice at Antonios, wax nostalgic with old friends and add to the on-campus atmosphere that can’t be duplicated at an NFL stadium (just ask Temple and USF). The students could walk to games, tailgate and (hopefully) stick around and become fans. UMass had a great pre-game atmosphere for meaningless games against Central Connecticut State – I think that could be multiplied for a televised game against a conference opponent with bowl-game implications.
Meanwhile, UMass could reach out to bigger schools with either big (Michigan) or regional (Rutgers) fan bases for out-of-conference games at Gillette. The Wolverines are heading to UConn next year – it’s not that far of a stretch to think they would dip into the Boston market for a road game.
As mentioned above, this situation likely relies on UMass staying in the MAC. I know there is a pretty significant split among UMass fans as to whether this is a good idea. To me, the ability to use McGuirk in conjunction with Gillette, in a way that stirs up interest in the program, is yet another reason to stick it out with the conference that gave UMass a chance.
Follow Bob on twitter: @BobMcGovernJr
“The older folks would have a reason to head back to their alma mater, grab a slice at Antonios, wax nostalgic with old friends and add to the on-campus atmosphere that can’t be duplicated at an NFL stadium (just ask Temple and USF).” – This is precisely the reason that the homecoming game needs to be the first game put back onto campus. I do like the idea of having a Thursday night game as well.
Also agree with Andy, the games need to be televised if support is to be built.
James,
Would love to see at least one nationally televised Thursday night game. Support will come if the program receives national exposure AND the team plays well.
I think Bob is challenging us to break the 50 mark today
If we stay in the MAC I’m betting you are right about the split, 4-2, but the 4 will be at Gillette with the 2 being at McGuirk. Lesser MAC games against Buffalo, Akron, E Michigan etc will be in Amherst while the OOC games and bigger games against Ohio, Miami, N Illinois etc will be at Gillette.
Could easily live with the 4-2 split favoring Gillette. As for Buffalo’s stadium looking high schoolish with the surrounding track…yeah it does, but if we had a 30k capacity stadium on campus (even surrounded by a track), this whole Gillette thing would be a non-issue.
The track is horrid.
The Gillette factor will only come into play if people show up. Krafts will say good luck if in 2016 we still have 6+k showing up to see a game.
UMass needs to get a deal struck with a local network to air these games on TV every week. I know the TV deals are a mess in all college athletics but to get the Boston market involved they have to be able to turn it on the TV in the Boston market.
People are lazy, the casual fan wont look up the live stream online and sit in front of his computer to watch UMass vs Miami (OH), but if its on TV, they will at least keep checking in on it.
The sad thing is we (ppl on here and hoops) are passionate about the program, we would watch the live stream… but how many are we? We need those lazy eyes to catch a game and hope they check out a live one at Gillette and become passionate.
Umike- I agree that UMass football needs to be on local tv. The streams (for lack of a better word) SUCK. I’d like to think that someone behind the scenes is actively persuing local tv coverage. I’ve suggested NECN (New England Cable News). They could lead into UMass football easily: “We interrupt our regularly scheduled 24 hours of repetitive boring news that no one watches on a Saturday anyway to bring you UMass football live from Eastern Michigan.” Works for me. Seriously, NECN could take a 3 hour break from the news on a Saturday afternoon.
NECN, NESN, Comcast SN, WBIN… anything.
When the Bruins and Sox are on at the same time NESN puts one on NESN+, why can’t we always be on NESN+?
Not sure how it works, but would these possible stations need to produce the broadcast or just pick up a feed? Can’t see sending a broadcast crew to E. Michigan. We need some insider TV info on how this could work.
They would just pick up the feed if it’s being broadcast somewhere, but they aren’t going to pick up the horrid online feed that some of these schools produce, it would make them look too rinky-dink. But the ESPN3 games etc would work just fine. Picking up someone else’s feed would be the only way CSNNE or NESN or anybody else would show these games, they aren’t going to spend the money to produce it themselves.
Sounds doable for the ESPN3 games, but I don’t think we have enough of those to see us on TV consistently. Right now, I’m not even sure we’re on TV once.
I agree, but at Foxboro, they have the ability to produce a quality broadcast. I’m sure there are plenty of options of local talent to announce the game.
If we can get North Middlesex High vs Joakmont for the division 3 Super Bowl with 700 people in the stands why can’t they show UMass? Then, pick up the ESPN 3 feed on the same channel like $$$ said.
Umike- Finding talent isn’t the problem. Paying the talent might be the problem. Business have to advertise during UMass football in order to pay the bills.
Take my tuition to pay them, or hire Bob and Mark with $$$ as the 3rd man down on the field.
It’s not the broadcasters, it’s the entire production crew etc. Need advertisers etc to make it work
I’m sure there are enough Connecticut school of broadcasting kids (I’m one, ugh) in the area that could help
With the two free MAC tickets I looked into checking out OU, BGSU, CMU and Buffalos stadiums… Give me McGuirk all day, Buffalo can keep their track and field stadium looks like a high school field.
BTW, it’s probably the one I will go to anyways.
Umike
Got my season tix pack yesterday and I too am looking into the Buffalo game as a possible away game trip. Already planning to go to Madison for the season opener.
Have seen Buffalo’s stadium on TV and it is not too impressive – neither are their crowds they get but they seem to always play hard and could be a tough team for us (for one more season only).
Any others looking into going to Buff or another away MAC game?
I think the Maroon Musket editorial staff should make a road trip. Would probably need a charter plane to take them all though but they can expense the trip per Bob’s approval.
Larry sec 109
Larry,
I may venture up to Buffalo, and although it wouldn’t be my first choice, it is the closest. Agree on the stadium.
Once football returns to campus, hopefully we will be able to draw in excess of the 12-15,000 who have attended in the past. I think there will be increased buzz around the campus, and it’s more than likely that football will become an event at the university and not just a game, but again, the facilities need to be upgraded in a big way. I like the idea of a game or two being played at Gillette.
Bob- Hope the Mailbag feature stays even during the season. We get a glimpse of your legal prowess with such a nicely measured response to the question. It sounds like whether we stay in the MAC or move to the yet to be determined “America 12″, we had better not do anything to strain our relationship with the Krafts and Gillette. It sounds like this will be part of the equation either way. Your suggested 4/2 split would be workable, but I for one would like see us in a league with UConn and Temple. The MAC invite was more of a “any port in a storm” situation, and while we appreciate the safe harbor I’m not sure that this should be viewed as a long-term home.
Thanks Andy, I am definitely considering it.
I would be completely on board with the A-12 if someone told me that UConn and Cincy weren’t going to hit the bricks as soon as the next round of realignment hits. At the very least there is a modicum of stability in the current format, and that is a very valuable commodity these days.
Propose a football/hoops doubleheader in Amherst against BC in 2014. Those cowards will never do it, but offer it anyway. And make it public.
That’s a game that needs to be played at Gillette with the expanded seating. No way that game doesn’t pull in well over 30,000. I’d be willing to say I bet it does over 40,000. You’re not going to sacrifice (and Kraft won’t let us) that kind of expanded gate $$$ to have it on campus.
God, if we could pull in 40k for that game imagine? I hope thats a night game, something magical about playing under the lights.
August 31st at night, book it Dano! I’ll start by tailgating at noon and end by tearing down the goalposts at midnight.