Falling for UMass

The view from above with the award-winning UMass Skydiving Club

By
Alexis Ali
Group of four skydivers in formation while diving

Despite being a registered student organization since 1959, the UMass Amherst Skydiving Club has flown (so to speak) under the radar. That’s surprising, given that the group attracts some of the biggest and boldest adrenaline enthusiasts the university has to offer. 

And they are good at what they do. In fact, the UMass Amherst Skydiving Club has won multiple competitions, including taking home gold in two categories at the 2014 U.S. Parachute Association National Collegiate Parachuting Championships—the oldest and biggest collegiate skydiving event in the world. 

Though they haven’t been active since 2018 (when they medaled again!), the club is still open to new members. Jumptown Skydiving in Orange, Massachusetts, is the home of the club and is always prepared for the next batch of daredevils who are ready to take the leap. 

Take a look at some photos of divers getting a bird’s-eye view of campus and our happy valley—and how they’ve changed over the past decades.

Skydiver waving to camera thousands of feet in the air

Courtesy of John Jackson

Three parachuters talking in the back of a plane before a jump

Courtesy of John Jackson

View of the campus lawn from a descending parachuter

Courtesy of John Jackson

Four skydivers with gear standing in front of a plane

Courtesy of the UMass Skydiving Club Facebook page

Parachuter landing on campus with green parachute

Courtesy of the UMass Skydiving Club Facebook page

Tandem skydivers leaving a plane

Courtesy of the UMass Skydiving Club Facebook page

Group of four skydivers in formation while diving

Courtesy of the Daily Collegian

We’re on the lookout

Share your most intriguing nooks, niches, coordinates, or curiosities on campus or anywhere in the region. Email magazine@umass.edu and we’ll investigate!