UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

Since Ryan Bamford officially started his tenure as the University of Massachusetts’ new athletic director April 27, his travel schedule hasn’t allowed him to stay put in his spacious Mullins Center office for long. Over his first four months on the job, Bamford estimates he’s put more than 6,500 miles on his car traveling back-and-forth across Massachusetts and the New England region to “plant UMass’ flag” around the Commonwealth. Whether it’s been attending donor meetings, alumni functions or participating in charity golf tournaments around Massachusetts, Bamford said his trips’ purpose revolves around the same central idea: visibility. “Planting the flag” has become a common moniker around the department according to Bamford, and is something that represents his initiative to connect with as many students, fans, alumni and other constituencies around the region.