Lt. Gov. Tim Murray visits UMass football practice http://w w w .masslive.com/umassfootball/index.ssf/2012/08/lt_gov_tim_murray_visits_umass.html
August 26, 2012
Don Treeger AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts football team got a special visit on its final day of preseason camp. Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, along with Chairman of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Henry Thomas, UMass-Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, trustee Norm Peters and Athletic Director John McCutcheon stopped by practice Thursday morning to show their support for the team. That message was received. “It means a lot to us,” senior Darren Thellen said. “It’s not just a local thing, it’s a whole Massachusetts area thing.”
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, pictured here at an event in Springfield earlier this year, stopped by UMass football practice on Thursday.
Junior tight end Rob Blanchflower, who attended the same high school as Murry (St. John’s Prep in Shrewsbury), was also excited, despite the fact that he wasn’t aware of their connection until Thursday. “We were all pretty impressed,” Blanchflower said. “They’re all extremely busy, very important people in the community and they took time out of their busy schedule to come see us, so that’s a sign of respect, and a sign that they’re behind us and UMass football.” Murray’s address, which can be seen on YouTube, focused on how important the football program at UMass could be to the state. “This is about aspirations,” Murray said. “It’s in your hands to take this to the next level.” Of course, UMass coach Charley Molnar has aspirations of his own. “After we win some games, we expect the governor to come out,” he said jokingly. Murray assured the team that he’d be at Gillette Stadium to support them, and potentially Aug. 30, as the Minutemen open their season against UConn. “I may even try to sneak down to Connecticut if I can,” he said. “I’ve got to get a permission slip from my wife.”