Subbaswamy echoed Meehan’s support for the football program, and in a statement indicated he has a “sincere interest” in helping Bamford build a “competitively successful” team. I am pleased to support this mission in any way possible, both in the Commonwealth and across the country.” Finding a long-term conference home for UMass football has been an important athletics department objective since the day I started my Presidency in 2015. “In my six-plus years as the President, I have made it a priority to assist the Chancellor and athletic director on a number of very successful initiatives.

I support the Amherst campus’ investment in creating a winning football program and its desire to do so as part of a competitive FBS conference with similar programs,” Meehan said, in a statement. I also understand that football programs are highly visible at FBS institutions.

“I believe athletics is the front porch of the institution. Subbaswamy - who until now have been publicly quiet about their roles in finding a conference - told Fight Massachusetts they continue to support UMass Athletic Director Ryan Bamford in this ongoing mission.

In an all-hands-on-deck campaign to find a new home for their football team, University of Massachusetts officials reached out to university presidents and conference commissioners at the Mid-American Conference, Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference earlier this fall, according to responses to public records requests made by Fight Massachusetts.Īnd both University President Marty Meehan and Amherst campus Chancellor Kumble R.

Conference realignment rumors 2021