Head Coach Walt Bell highlighted the team's energy and excitement to be back and practicing following the first session of the spring
Offensive Line Coach & Run Game Coordinator Alex Miller '07 made the return to his alma mater and spoke to UMass Sports Network's Jay Burnham after the first practice.
The team brought the intensity for its first practice, with both sides of the ball making highlight reel plays throughout.
UMass football running back Ellis Merriweather discusses spring ball with Jay Burnham following the team's second practice (Thurs., April 1, 2021)
The team also unveiled updates and upgrades to its Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center on Thurs., April 1. The project was funded entirely from donations made to the program. The generosity of the UMass Football Gridiron Club was instrumental in its completion.
Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center
Upgrades and Updates
Sports Performance Suite - New equipment: Revitalization of the in-suite training equipment used daily by the program to grow bigger, faster and stronger
Sports Performance Suite - Turf Training Area: The installment of a section of turf within the sports performance center. Provides an indoor area for speed, sprint and footwork drills
Sports Performance Suite - Nutrition Center: The introduction of a larger, permanent nutrition facility within the sports performance suite. Grants immediate, in-room access to pre-workout fuel and post-workout recovery meals and drinks
Hunt Hospitality Suite - Football At The Flagship: Floor-to-ceiling image display highlighting all 22 conference championship-winning teams and national postseason participants paired with the current and former logo and branding artwork. Celebratory "cornerstone" imagery of the program's first conference championship (1960), inaugural bowl game champions (1972), national runners-up finishes (1978, 2006) and national championship-winning team (1998). Team photos of the 1963-64, '66-67, '69, '71, '74, '77, '79, '81-82, '86, '88, '90, '99, '03, '07 winners of Yankee Conference, Atlantic 10 or Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championships
The Visitor Welcome Center: A communal meeting area on the second floor of the FPC comprising the team's NFL wall, the team-issued Adidas gear displays and the 1998 National Championship trophy
Locker Room Art Displays: Updated artistic and celebratory photography displays in the team's NFL-styler locker room entry hallway and locker endcaps
Coaches Hallway Display: Updated artwork that highlights the program's successes on and off the field as well as University points-of-pride.
The team continues '21 Spring Ball with its second week of practices on Tues., April 6. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassFootball) throughout the week to see more of the team.
Credits:
Photos: Chris Tucci, UMass Athletics