Sports
Defying the odds: Hadley’s Owen Earle back competing less than two years removed from horrific accident
By GARRETT COTE
Lying flat on his back in the middle of a field at Four Rex Farm in Hadley, Owen Earle stared straight into an endless stretch of overcast sky, raindrops gently splashing him.Although he didn’t feel much pain, he knew there was no getting up.“I had...
Breaking down the financial implications for UMass athletics after move to the Mid-American Conference
CONNOR PIGNATELLO
When UMass joins the Mid-American Conference for the 2025-26 academic year, athletic director Ryan Bamford expects the school will bring in more revenue than it did when competing in the Atlantic 10.“This will allow us to grow our revenues to the...
Guest columnist Karen List: A legend made in Iowa
By KAREN LIST
The thousands of women who played high school basketball in Iowa over the years look at the adulation surrounding University of Iowa star Caitlin Clark and think: “That’s about right.”Clark, as you probably know, is the NCAA Division 1 all-time...
UMass basketball: Minutewomen’s two leading scorers Alexsia Rose, Kristin Williams headed to transfer portal
By GARRETT COTE
AMHERST — As of Monday afternoon, two UMass women’s basketball guards have entered the transfer portal, looking to take their talents elsewhere.Senior Alexsia Rose and junior Kristin Williams have hit the portal following a disappointing 5-27...
UMass basketball: Josh Cohen, Robert Davis Jr. first Minutemen to enter transfer portal
By GARRETT COTE
AMHERST — One of the first dominoes to fall is a massive one for the UMass men’s basketball team.Minutemen forward Josh Cohen has entered the transfer portal, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported late Monday morning. The 6-foot-10 senior has one year of...
Men’s basketball coach Frank Martin supporting UMass’ decision to join MAC: “They believed in me, and they haven’t lied to me since I’ve been here”
By GARRETT COTE
AMHERST — From a basketball perspective, Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said it was a no-brainer to add UMass to his conference.The men’s basketball program was perhaps the most appealing of the school’s athletic teams given its...
A moving MAC moment: UMass formally introduced as 13th member of the Mid-American Conference
By GARRETT COTE
AMHERST — After more than a week since the news first broke, University of Massachusetts athletic department officials held a press conference on March 7 to celebrate their joining the Mid-American Conference.UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes, director of...
UMass confirms sports programs moving to the Mid-American Conference as it becomes 13th member
By GARRETT COTE
AMHERST — As of Feb. 29, it was officially official.The UMass athletics department press release at 3:30 p.m. that day confirmed its move to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a full member, as the baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and...
Amherst girls capture runner-up finish at MIAA Nordic Ski Championships (PHOTOS)
By GARRETT COTE
WOODFORD, Vt. — The Amherst girls Nordic ski team didn’t just feel like underdogs all season long — they were underdogs.Often overlooked given the geographical location, the Hurricanes were ready to display their talents on the biggest stage, at the...
Amherst College women’s basketball coach Gromacki fastest in NCAA history to reach 600 wins
By GARRETT COTE
Dynasty isn’t a term that gets thrown around loosely – that word holds a ton of weight in the sports world. It takes a lot of success over an extended period of time to call something a dynasty.But that’s exactly what South Deerfield native G.P....
“Nice call, ref”: High school referee ranks shrink amid abuse by fans, low pay
By GARRETT COTE
A couple weeks ago, I sat inside Smith Academy’s Sherry Webb Gymnasium in Hatfield to cover a girls basketball game between the Falcons and Duggan Academy of Springfield. As the game progressed, the displeasure from supporters only grew louder — and...
UMass basketball: Matt Cross leads balanced Minutemen past Saint Louis for first A-10 road wi
Matt Cross led four players in double figures, scoring 19 points to propel the UMass men’s basketball team to an 84-73 Atlantic 10 Conference victory over Saint Louis on Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Mo.The Minutemen won on the road...
H.S. Football Preview: Offensive firepower has Amherst optimistic about 2023 season
By GARRETT COTE
During the second-to-last regular season football game a year ago, Amherst matched up with Holyoke on a Friday night in Amherst. Both teams lit up the scoreboard. The Hurricanes had no answer for Purple Knights quarterback Gavier “NeNe” Fernandez, as...
Top on-court moments from David Hixon’s Hall of Fame career coaching Amherst basketball
By KYLE GRABOWSKI
Dave Hixon always wore a suit to Amherst College’s men’s basketball games but never coached in it. He walked out of the locker room to cheers in LeFrak Gymnasium and banter on the road, shook his counterpart’s hand and chatted during shootaround. Once...
2023 Gazette Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Ella Laliberte, Granby
By HANNAH BEVIS
With just seconds left in her final high school lacrosse game, Granby’s Ella Laliberte was one tally away from hitting 300 career goals. Everyone on her team knew, including Laliberte, and they quickly came up with a simple but effective plan of...
2023 Gazette Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year: Logan Alfandari, Amherst
By HANNAH BEVIS
In the summer of 2022, after his freshman season, Amherst’s Logan Alfandari carefully poured a throwing circle in his backyard with his dad’s help. He decided that he wanted to have a place to get some extra practice after making a splash in throws...
2023 Gazette Girls Tennis Player of the Year: Ava Shea, Belchertown
By HANNAH BEVIS
Belchertown junior Ava Shea came into this tennis season with clear goals and a laser focus. Athletically, Shea was already a formidable opponent, with a serve that makes her opponents quake in their sneakers and the experience of playing No. 2...
Amherst’s Ryan Leonard goes to Washington Capitals at No. 8 in NHL Draft
By KYLE GRABOWSKI
Stars and stripes suit Ryan Leonard, apparently.The Washington Capitals, with their red white and blue color scheme, selected the Amherst native with the eighth overall pick in Wednesday’s NHL Draft at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Leonard...
2022-23 Gazette Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Tessa Kawall, Amherst
By HANNAH BEVIS
Tessa Kawall has always been a supremely talented basketball player — Amherst head coach Ralph Loos often calls her a “freak” when talking about her athletic ability. But until somewhat recently, Kawall could sometimes let her emotions get the best of...
UMass notebook: Sam Breen named 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player Of The Year
By KYLE GRABOWSKI
Add one more jewel to Queen Breen’s crown.UMass graduate student forward Sam Breen was named the 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player Of The Year on Wednesday, becoming the fourth winner in the award’s history and first Minutewoman.“I am super blessed...
