To my readers

During the past year and a half, I learned a lot about blogging.

Today I learned how to step aside.

Times zones and responsibilities have made it increasingly difficult to keep up with this blog and make it relevant. I was recently promoted to managing editor of the newspaper I work for, and with that went most of my free time.

I have done this for almost 18 months. I have changed platforms, and I have interacted with amazing UMass fans from across the country. There was not one morning that I regretted what I posted, but there were too many mornings that I just didn’t have time – and that’s not fair to me or to you.

This blog has served as my notepad of nostalgia at times, while some weeks have just been my regurgitation of UMass news. Between Mullins and McGuirk filled up hours of transition – as I worked my way up from a college-campus cook to a business newspaper’s editor.

For a portion of the day, UMass athletics became my beat again. Three years and almost 2,000 miles removed from the Maroon and White press boxes and sidelines – I had a virtual press pass and byline, which is all I could ever ask for.

I was able to write about coaching changes, a men’s soccer Final Four, football playoff pushes, alumni, the band, myself, an unbelievable trip to the NIT Finals and everything else that reverberates from Between Mullins and McGuirk out into the athletic ether.

Perhaps one day I will be able to come back to my corner of the Internet and start this project over again – or maybe just pick up where I left off. For now, it’s too much. I have always been one to do things all out – for better or worse – and if I can’t, I simply tip my cap at the past and continue with whatever life’s randomness has in store for me.

So with this, I leave you with a fond farewell. I will still be active in other UMass circles (CrooksisRhyming is my screen name on UMassHoops.com: If you’re not already a member, get on there and say hi to the motley crew). Also, if you are ever in the Denver/Boulder area and want to have a beer during a UMass game, shoot me an e-mail: BobMcGovern@gmail.com.

I chose today because it seems symbolic. Tonight UMass plays Memphis and John Calipari. It is the first marquee game for Derek Kellogg, and it is further indication that Calipari loves and supports the Minutemen.

It is teacher versus student under the beautiful Southern stars, which will briefly be colored that nostalgic shade of Maroon at midnight. In front of a national audience, the past and future success of UMass athletics will shine in a way that makes us all proud of our school and our team.

It will shine down on all of us that stand Between Mullins and McGuirk.

And that, my friends, is the intangible beauty of being a fan.

A UMass fan.

Go East, young man

Tonight at 11:45 mountain time, I’m heading back East for almost two weeks.

I will try to update the blog as much as I can, so stick around, and check in every once in awhile. I’m bringing the laptop along for the ride. As long as there’s Internet – the blog lives on.

Also, for those that know me or those that care to meet me, I will be at the UMass/Richmond football game on Oct. 18. I will be with a contingency of my college friends, so I may not be sober Bob – but I will be Bob nonetheless.

Anyway, I don’t have much time today because I have about two weeks worth of work to do in less than eight hours. I will, however, give you my predicition for the UMass/Northeastern game:

• UMass: 21
• Northeastern: 7

I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time. The last UMass football game I went to was that home slaughtering of Stony Brook about two years ago. It’s going to be fun, and I’d like to meet some of my readers if you are so inclined.

As always, you can reach me on my e-mail address: BobMcGovern@gmail.com – or via comment on this blog.

Hey, Frank – you better be down to grab a beer.

New digs

Hey guys, this is the new address for Between Mullins and McGuirk.

I will be in the process of updating and revamping the blog during the next few weeks, so if things look a little crazy – bare with me.

Anyway, I should be back on a normal blogging schedule sooner than later.

As always, thanks for reading.

Cheers,

Bob

Blog schedule

From now until Sunday, I will be heading back to Florida to deal with a family situation.

I will try to post from the Sunshine State, but I may be busy with other things. Obviously this is a big week for UMass, and I wish I was able to give it more of an effort. Unfortunately, it is not going to work out that way.

Anyway, I wish all of you a great week and an excellent weekend. As always, you can check out THE UMass Football blog to stay up to date with the football squad. Also, it appears UMass Athletics has implemented a “Just Take a Minute” feature on its Web site.

What a novel idea – use an RSS feed to find UMass stories. Someone really ought to do that.

Yup, the blog is taking a vacation, but sarcasm is alive and well.

I will 100 percent be back on either Monday or Tuesday, but keep checking back – I may have a few minutes to write.

As always, GO UMASS!

- Bob

Quick plug

There’s not too much out there today, so I just wanted to put in a quick plug for a new blog me and an old UMass rugby buddy – Dave Cividino – started: The Boulder Bluff. Not sports related, but you have a chance to see how ridiculous I can be sometimes – as if you didn’t already know.