Northampton Community Rowing to “Row for the River” on Sept. 15

Northampton Community Rowing is holding a fundraiser “Row for the River” to benefit the Connecticut River Conservancy on Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.Rowers will launch from the docks at the Mount Holyoke Community boathouse and row approximately...

High schools: Northampton girls soccer rolls to season opening win over Granby

The Northampton girls soccer team came out of the gate hot in their opening match of the season, putting eight goals past Granby Tuesday evening to snag an 8-1 Central Division victory at David Wright Stadium in Northampton.The Blue Devils (1-0) led...

Cross country: Amherst sweeps Northampton in season opening dual meet between powerhouses (PHOTOS)

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — Chris Gould has been either running or coaching at Amherst Regional High School since the 1970s, and for the entire time the ‘Canes boys cross country head coach has been involved with the program, the course has never changed.But this year...

High schools: South Hadley, Belchertown settle for 1-1 draw in girls soccer opener (PHOTOS)

A battle between two of the top teams in Hampshire County ended in a draw during season-opening action in South Hadley on Monday.Both South Hadley and Belchertown notched second-half goals, and the two rivals settled for a 1-1 draw in girls soccer...

High school golf preview: Loaded with returning talent, Belchertown aiming for breakthrough 2024 season

By GARRETT COTE

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY — Come the Western Mass. Division 1 Golf Championships at Westover Golf Course last fall, the Belchertown golf team felt it was more than ready to show out on the big stage and punch one of two team tickets to states.The Orioles fell...

Fit to Play with Jim Johnson: Olympic medalists are champions, not heroes

By all accounts the Paris Olympics were a great success. We were treated to a magnificent sport spectacle, the world’s greatest athletes at their best. The display of sportsmanship was fulfilling, a tribute to the competitors. The Olympics are for the...

Hampshire County’s toughest golf holes: The Links at Worthington

By GARRETT COTE

WORTHINGTON — All black government helicopters swirling above, members of the United States Secret Service, back-to-back holes-in-one, breathtaking views and concerts filled with fun. You name it, The Links at Worthington has probably seen...

UMass football: Minutemen’s offensive line surrenders six sacks in season-opening loss to Eastern Michigan

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — Not much went the UMass football team’s way on Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, and Minutemen’s 28-14 loss to Eastern Michigan in their season opener was certainly a performance to forget.It didn’t look as if the Eagles were a...

UMass football: Eastern Michigan doubles up Minutemen 28-14 for 4th straight win in series

By CONNOR PIGNATELLO

AMHERST — The UMass football team thought they knew what they were getting into.Earlier in the week, Don Brown previewed his defense’s matchup against Eastern Michigan starting quarterback Cole Snyder, who played against UMass two years ago when he...

'That’s the game that’s circled on my calendar': UMass vies to reverse losing streak against Eastern Michigan

By CONNOR PIGNATELLO

AMHERST — For three straight years, the UMass football team has played Eastern Michigan. And all three times, they’ve lost.But the games have been trending in the right direction for UMass, and the Minutemen are favored by 2.5 points on Saturday....

Easthampton’s Saige Harper, Team USA finish 4th in first rowing heat at 2024 Paralympics in Paris

Easthampton’s Saige Harper showed well at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris on Friday.Harper, representing Team USA, competed in the Rowing PR3 Mixed Double Sculls event alongside partner Todd Vogt. The pair placed fourth in Heat No. 1 with a time of...

“I’m hoping the students show up like they did last year”: UMass football to begin season at home for first time since 2018

By CONNOR PIGNATELLO

AMHERST — There isn’t a single player on the UMass football roster who has opened their season at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.Josh Atwood, Te’Rai Powell, Myles Turner and Gerrell Johnson have been in Amherst for five years and they’ve opened every one of...

UMass football season preview: Can Minutemen take another step forward in Year 3 of Don Brown’s FBS era?

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — For the first time since 2018, the UMass football team will be hosting the first game on its schedule.Six years ago the Minutemen defeated FCS opponent Duquesne 63-15 to open their campaign. Over a half decade later, they’re looking to make...

UMass football: Breaking down the Minutemen's 2024 schedule with details on all 12 opponents

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

By now, you’ve read all about how the UMass football team is shaping up heading into the 2024 season. What about their future opponents? The Minutemen’s last season as an FBS Independent before moving to the MAC won’t be a walk in the park. The first...

High school golf: Reilly Fowles, Northampton open 2024 season with victory over Amherst (PHOTOS)

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — The 2024 golf season began with the classic Battle of the Bridge on Thursday afternoon at Amherst Golf Club. Following a flawless 16-0 regular season in 2023, Northampton High School picked up right where it left off – behind the smooth...

Former Red Sox All-Star Dwight Evans to appear at Springfield College on Sept. 14 to promote new book

New York Times best-selling author Erik Sherman and beloved Red Sox All-Star outfielder Dwight Evans will head to Springfield College to talk in person about their new book, “Dewey, Behind the Gold Glove,” which will be available for purchase at $35...

Easthampton’s Saige Harper set to make rowing debut for Team USA at 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris

By GARRETT COTE

The 2024 Paralympic Games kicked off in Paris on Wednesday, and will run through next Sunday, Sept. 8 with 22 sports being contested across the week and a half.One sport is of particular interest for residents of Hampshire County and Easthampton.Saige...

Belchertown’s Kevin McNeill hitting the ground running as school’s new athletic director

By CONNOR PIGNATELLO

BELCHERTOWN — New Belchertown High School Athletic Director Kevin McNeill might never have held an AD position, but he brings with him years of coaching experience in not just Belchertown, but Hampshire County as a whole.McNeill replaces Jen Gouvin,...

UMass football: Minutemen relishing the chance to play as themselves in EA Sports College Football 25

By CONNOR PIGNATELLO

AMHERST — EA Sports’ long-anticipated college football video game, “College Football 25” finally released in July, and UMass football players wasted little time getting in on the action. The popular game was shelved in 2013 because of disputes over...

Orchards Golf Club plays host to 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball qualifier (PHOTOS)

SOUTH HADLEY — Mother Nature wreaked havoc on the afternoon wave Monday, as Orchards Golf Club hosted a qualifier for the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship.The top three teams (and two alternates) advanced to the Four-Ball Championship,...