Latest news with #Minutemen
Fox Sports
11-08-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 UMass Football Predictions: Minutemen Ranked 135th in RJ Young's Ultimate 136
College Football 2025 UMass Football Predictions: Minutemen Ranked 135th in RJ Young's Ultimate 136 Published Aug. 10, 2025 9:07 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link This isn't your average college football ranking. My Ultimate 136 is a set of rankings that is fluid, but it's my job to look ahead and make a claim for all FBS teams based on what I know and why I know it. Here are the three pressing questions I started by asking when putting together this list: Who do I think is good? Why do I think they're good? What are the chances they will finish above or below my expectations? Here is a look at where UMass lands in my Ultimate 136. UMass ranking: 135 Last year's ranking: 112 Top player: WR Ty Harding: Averaged 17.6 yards per reception last season and caught 5 touchdowns. [UMass' 2025 schedule] RJ's take: Perhaps no FBS program is more out of its depth than the Minutemen, who have been a doormat in this sport for nearly two decades. After wandering the Independent wilderness for nine years with just 18 wins to show for it, they've returned to the Mid-American Conference. First-year head coach Joe Harasmyiak brought in 34 transfers, including former Yale quarterback Grant Jordan, former Utah quarterback Brandon Rose, former Harvard offensive lineman Mike Entwistle, former Jackson State defensive end Josh Nobles and former Concord University (D-II) safety Kendall Bournes. ADVERTISEMENT If nothing else, it will be an eclectic bunch. I'd love to know what music plays in this locker room. [ Check out RJ Young's Ultimate 136 College Football Rankings here ] UMass Win Total Odds: Over 3.5 (-128) Under 3.5 (+104) Have an issue with my rankings? Think your alma mater is too low, or your school's rival is too high? Get at me on X, @RJ_Young , and I'll select my favorite tweets and respond to them in a future article. RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him at @RJ_Young. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football UMass Minutemen share
Boston Globe
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Thousands gather for daylong festivities celebrating Fourth of July in Boston
Advertisement Angela Martin, 54, of Florida, was blown away by Boston's parade Friday morning. 'The Minutemen come out with the band and I'm like, 'What is this?'' she said. 'It was so meaningful.' Dan Burns, Michele DeParasis, and Al Chin of the Billerica Colonial Minute Men enjoyed the confetti during the 249th Independence Day Celebration at Old State House. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Friday's festivities came on the heels of the milestone commemorations in April of the 250th anniversary of the Revolution's 'shots heard round the world' In Boston Friday, some took the anniversary as an opportunity to protest President Trump — reusing 'No Kings' signs and shirts from last month's rallies. Advertisement Tim Cooke, 67, from Brookline, displayed a sign reading, 'No Kings since 1776,' as he walked the Esplanade with his dog, Lucy. 'Done without for 249 years,' Cooke said. 'So let's keep it going.' But for the most part, people set aside politics to celebrate America. Many celebrated their freedom to speak up, to work, to pursue their happiness. The first person on the grass at the Hatch Memorial Shell Friday was Nikki Jax, 57, of New York. Jax, a woman of transgender experience, teared up as she thought about freedom. 'All the gifts of the universe were given to me after I transitioned,' Jax said. 'So freedom for me is the freedom to walk my path.' 'I love my country,' said Cathleen Curran of Lowell. 'As long as we're doing things for the country and not letting politics get in our heads, we're the greatest country.' By mid-afternoon, hours before the Pops show was set to begin, hundreds were spread out in the Hatch Shell, the Charles River Esplanade, across the Charles in Cambridge, and bobbing on boats in the river. Doraehea Chiu, a visitor from Taiwan on a three-month trip to the US, marveled at how everyone was able to celebrate together. 'No matter whether you are rich or poor, no matter if you are a manager at the bank, or you are a worker building a house, they are really equal,' she said. 'They all enjoy it the same way. They all went to the harbor to see the fireworks.' Members of the Wilmington Minutemen fired their muskets while marching in the 249th Independence Day Celebration parade. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Karen Lopez, 28, of Paraguay, was also eager to see how Americans celebrate, taking in a week of festivities including a parade and laser show in Wilmington, Mass., where she lives. Advertisement 'I like to explore another country and their Independence Day traditions,' she said. Those traditions began early in Boston Friday. After thousands wearing patriotic colors recited the Pledge of Allegiance at City Hall Plaza, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu greeted the crowd and thanked military families for their service. 'Two hundred and forty-nine years ago today, from this very spot, we declared our independence,' Wu said to the crowd. 'We declared that Boston would not back down in the face of tyranny, in the face of bullying. Not to kings and not to the greatest army in the world at that time.' The mayor then joined the parade led by the Boston Fire Department to the Old State House for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. At the end of the reading, red, white, and blue confetti fell from the sky as the Frank Zarba Military Band played, and some in the crowd chanted 'USA, USA.' Soon after, across town, others watched as the USS Constitution set off from its dock at the Charlestown Navy Yard for its annual cruise of Boston Harbor. The world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, the 228-year-old ship was undefeated in 33 military engagements, including during the War of 1812 A hushed silence fell over the crowd in Charlestown as the ship, nicknamed 'Old Ironsides,' slowly left the dock. As it turned into the harbor, a cannon went off, producing grey smoke and a round of applause. 'I feel American now,' one onlooker said. Hundreds gathered at Castle Island's Fort Independence Park to watch the ship's 21-gun salute. The celebrations felt personal to Alex G. Lee, a naturalized citizen originally from South Korea. He pointed out a statue commemorating the Korean War down the boardwalk, and said the cannonade reminded him of his service. Advertisement 'This day is so meaningful, not only for the independence of the United States, he said. 'I'm celebrating everything." The crowd listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence during the 249th Independence Day Celebration at the Old State House. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Back in Downtown Crossing, Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums performed at the Franklin Steps. Among them was Bill Phenix, who has been playing the fife for 53 years and can recall playing it during bicentennial celebrations in 1776. 'If you told me then that I would still be doing this, I probably would have looked at you like you lost your mind,' he said. 'It's a lifelong pursuit.' The celebrations Friday are a lifelong pursuit for many. Dorchester's Mike Williams, 58, has been coming to the Esplanade for more than half a century, since he was 6. Sharon Davis, of Machias, Maine, remembers watching the Pops on television as a kid; she first got to attend in person a few years ago. For Eli Rodriguez, 34, of Ashland, the Fourth of July is always one of the biggest days of the year for the Jax, the first person waiting at the Hatch early Friday morning, came to Boston to see the show in 1985. She never forgot it. 'I remember it as being one of the most singular, beautiful experiences with humanity,' she said. Christopher Huffaker can be reached at
Washington Post
11-06-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Revolutionary War veterans fought for the nation and pushed for a pension
Ichabod Beckwith was a 24-year-old patriot who heard the call for revolution in 1775 and set off with a company of battle-ready Minutemen on a march toward Lexington. That's where Beckwith's record as one of America's first veterans begins. And it ends in 1820, when the town overseers in Ludlow, Massachusetts, described the 69-year-old war veteran as 'a pauper disabled in body and mind' with no means of support other than the charity of friends and his town.
Boston Globe
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Ainsley Cuthbertson took her shot and put Lexington atop the Division 1 girls' track championship for the first time
Natick (65 points) and Westford (57 points) sit in second and third place with 18 of 19 girls' events accounted for — pole vault was pushed to Sunday due to the slippery conditions. Advertisement 'It's pretty new to me to be able to score points for the team at big meets like this,' said Cuthbertson, who had never previously won an event at states. 'Before my last throw, I heard [all my teammates] cheering, and I was like, 'I just have to do it for them.' So it feels amazing.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Freshman standout Amelia Whorton placed second in the 800 meter (2:10.16) and third in the mile (4:58.64), and junior Aubrey Deardorf was second in both the 100-meter (12.84) and long jump (19-04.5) for the Minutemen. 'We sort of made a statement in indoor, but we wanted to come back in outdoor and show everybody that while we're a young team, and we're not necessarily everybody's target, we're still here,' said coach Rebecca Trachsel. 'And we're here for a while because we don't have any seniors.' Advertisement Weymouth's Ainsley Weber wins the javelin with a throw of 131 feet, 7 inches. Barry Chin/Globe Staff On the boys' side, Lowell captured the team title with 87 points, narrowly edging Lexington (76) and Brookline (73). The Red Raiders were paced by junior Ethan Thevenin, who surged to victories in the triple jump (46-07.00) and 400 (49.50) before sealing the team victory with a clutch fifth-place effort in the long jump (21-10.25), the meet's final event. 'Ethan just did so much for us today, can't say enough good things about what he did winning those two events and then closing it out for us,' said Lowell coach Nick McArdle. 'It was a grind, but everyone just stepped up. A full team effort.' Brookline's Altamo Aschkenasy led from start to finish to capture the 1-mile at the Division 1 meet. Barry Chin/Globe Staff The Raiders also got boosts from senior Khai Yin, who finished third in both the 110 hurdles (14.49) and 400 hurdles (55.10), and senior Emanuel Trinidad, who was second in discus (158-05) and third in shot put (52-07.50). After missing the bulk of the cross-country and indoor track season due to a lingering illness, Westford star junior Abigail Hennessy made a triumphant return to the Division 1 stage. In one of the meet's most dominant individual efforts, Hennessy claimed the girls' mile by 15 seconds (4:43.72) on Saturday, shattering the meet record by seven seconds. She also claimed the 800 (2:07.18) by three seconds. At the D1 state championship meet, Westford junior Abigail Hennessy destroys the competition in the girls' mile, winning in 4:43.72. She won the race by 15 seconds, and set a 7-second meet record. That's her second victory of the meet. — Matty Wasserman (@Matty_Wasserman) Though Hennessy began separating within the opening lap and never faced much competition, she used the meet record as fuel. 'During the third lap, I just had to keep repeating myself, 'I can do this. I can do this,' ' Hennessy said. 'Especially with the wind in your face that last final stretch, I had to think about the meet record to make sure I'd finish strong.' Advertisement Westford Academy's Abigail Hennessy outran her closest competitors to break the meet record in the girls' mile. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Natick's Emmanuella Edozien (right) gets a hug from a teammate after winning the 100-meter hurdles. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Shrewsbury's Darius Gibbons gives it his all to win the shot put with a throw of 55 feet, 10.25 inches. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Natick's Chloe Elder had plenty of breathing room as she crossed the finish line to win the 400. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Ryan Kyle of Westford Academy leaps for joy after seeing the results of his win in the 110-meter hurdles, which came two days after he set a state record in the 400 hurdles. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Matty Wasserman can be reached at
Boston Globe
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Is this the best Lexington boys' volleyball team ever? The postseason will tell.
'He was an inspiration,' Ale said of Matteo. 'I do look up to him, especially in the volleyball world. 'We've done a lot better than I thought we ever would . . . Just being able to be a part of the team that's ended up proving not just themselves, but other teams wrong, it's a blessing.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The team has built upon Matteo's foundation to foster a historic season, with hitters playing selflessly serving as a catalyst to the longest winning streak (17 matches) in program history, a stretch in which the Minutemen dropped just four sets. Advertisement 'Ale is our heavy hitter. He swings really hard into the block, high hands,' said junior Nic Sanchez de Rojas . 'Me and Nadav [ Vachtel ] play smarter and make fewer errors, but might get fewer kills. Having three players that have different play styles? I'm still learning from both Nadav and Ale, different little tricks and techniques or strategies to get kills, passing, or defense. Advertisement 'We can each learn from each other. Not all other teams have this opportunity.' Ale Luciani heating up in the first set for Lexington — AJ (@aj_traub) Added coach Marc Turiano : 'They see what the teams in the past have done and have a healthy respect for it, but they see they have the talent to be great and probably the best team in Lexington volleyball history. They see the path to getting there would be playing a team-based game.' Vachtel, a senior, completes the net trio driving the magical season. The team's depth keeps the players honest, constantly competing to retain their roles and staying ready if their name is called. 'The deepest team Lexington has ever had,' Vachtel said. 'As we saw in the Brookline game, Nic got injured . . . Two people on our bench stepped in and they performed as we needed to . . . and we won that set. Everyone can step in when we need them to and perform.' Adam Mann is a superutility man for the Minutemen. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Embodying that quality is junior Adam Mann , who barely touched a volleyball before high school but fell in love with it. Mann said he 'worked [his] butt off' to make varsity and has been the versatile piece that helps save the team when it needs a boost. He's always ready to jump in wherever he is needed: hitter, libero, defensive specialist, or anywhere else. 'When your spot is locked up, you may get a little lenient and don't have to work as hard,' he said. 'When you don't know what position you're going to play or when you're going to play . . . you're going to die on the court and work the hardest. 'I'm diving for balls, I'm giving my all to the team.' Advertisement Though the Minutemen Now, the top four hear the footsteps of the Middlesex champion as the tournament nears. Lexington senior Ale Luciani is known as the team's most powerful hitter. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe 'I don't think we're going to surprise anybody anymore,' Turiano said following the Brookline match. 'I think we have the ability to be a true contender in D1.' Though Matteo graduated, his mark on this trailblazing squad is evident. He convinced Vachtel to play and influenced Sanchez de Rojas to switch from soccer to club volleyball. He takes pride in his younger brother forging his own legacy. 'I wanted to be an inspiration for them, but I didn't think I was that big of one in that way,' Matteo said. 'To see it firsthand and hear it firsthand is really cool. I'm proud of myself and of them that they're having this success. I do hope that it comes to something really good.' As the Minutemen race towards the postseason, they have a newfound confidence. 'I think that up until [Brookline], people were looking at our record and strength of schedule and shrugging us off,' Sanchez de Rojas said. 'I think now people are thinking of us as a serious contender, and people will be scared of us entering the tournament. I think people will be like 'Oh no, I'm playing Lexington,' which is nice.' The Lexington boys' volleyball team, bottom, huddles before taking on Acton-Boxborough, top, in a a senior night match at Lexington High School on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Set points ▪ In further evidence that Natick has put its previous shortcomings behind it as the postseason approaches, Advertisement Though Natick took down Brookline once and Newton North twice, the Rockets presented a mental obstacle. The Redhawks started off the season with a loss in Needham, but finally broke through. Middle John Carroll earned the senior-day victory, the first time Natick won the matchup since his brother, Brendan, won on his senior day in 2019. 'This performance was very good,' said coach Peter Suxho . 'You see it in the front row, in the back row, everywhere we are better.' Related : ▪ It is coming down to the wire, but it appears Newton North in Division 1 and Wayland in Division 2 will avoid sliding as they drop late matchups due to injured stars. Earlier wins and high strength of schedule prop up their The Tigers complete a quartet of Bay State teams in the four spots, all with home-court advantage until the neutral-site semifinals, but have been playing without several key players, including elite hitter Simon Vardeh . The Warriors have been without AJ Traub can be reached at
