UMass Football Announces Plan to Play Limited Schedule

UMass Athletics announced this week that it intends to schedule and play a limited number of football games this fall.

Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said the decision was reached following a positive review of the football program’s stringent COVID-19 safety protocols and rigorous testing regimen, in place since players’ return to campus in June. It follows announcements from college football conferences across the country also returning to play this fall and reverses a department decision on August 11 to postpone football

UMass is focused on a competitive start date in mid-October with development of a competitive multi-contest schedule already underway. All opponents, game dates and sites for the 2020 season will be announced as they are confirmed and will be scheduled based on the ability to meet campus and state regulations.

Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford and head coach Walt Bell will be available to the media for comment on Monday, September 21 at 2 p.m. (ET) via Zoom. Please contact Cody Lahl (clahl@admin.umass.edu) to RSVP and to receive call-in information.

Head football coach Walt Bell said, “Everyone associated with our program is excited to play football this fall. We have successfully created one of the safest environments in college football since June and our young men deserve the opportunity to compete in 2020. We are grateful to our campus leadership for supporting academic and competitive opportunities for our student-athletes and staff to do what they love in a safe manner.”

In addition, following consultation with local public health and university officials, UMass Athletics will not host fans for home games at McGuirk Alumni Stadium this fall. Season ticket holders will be contacted by the UMass Ticket Office on an individual basis with more information. The department will announce media rights distribution plans as games are scheduled throughout the fall.