Foxborough, Mass. (August 18, 2010) - Gillette Stadium, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) have announced that the annual football rivalry game, which moves to Gillette Stadium in 2010 and 2011, will be dubbed the "Colonial Clash."
"It's a fitting name for a border rivalry between schools who represent two of the original colonies," said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group. "We're proud to bring it to Gillette Stadium and are determined to make it a truly special event for students, alumni and fans from the two schools. We don't think there is a better atmosphere for football in New England than Gillette Stadium, and we hope the venue heightens interest in the game and in college football in this region."
UNH and UMass have played each other every year since 1952, with UMass holding a 43-26-3 advantage. UNH captured the 2008 game 52-21 while UMass won a thriller last season 23-17. The annual rivalry almost always has a direct bearing on the Colonial Athletic Association championship chase as UMass and UNH have captured or shared the conference's North Division title each of the last six years. UMass has advanced to the NCAA championship three times since 2003 (2003, 2006 and 2007) while UNH has been selected to play in the NCAA championship each of the past six seasons (2004-2009).
A new logo for the "Colonial Clash" incorporates the helmets and colors of UNH and UMass with the Gillette Stadium logo. The contest will be the first ever college football game at Gillette Stadium, the 68,756-seat home of the New England Patriots that is designed to represent New England heritage with its signature lighthouse and bridge.
Tickets for the "Colonial Clash" are on sale now through Ticketmaster and the Gillette Stadium Ticket Office. Alumni of both schools can purchase tickets through their respective institution's ticket offices. The $25 ticket includes parking. Fans can select seats on their respective school's sideline. Tailgating will be permitted prior to the game with parking lots opening at 11:30 a.m. Group sale discounts and incentives for parties of 20 or more are available through Gillette Stadium directly by calling 877-438-7387.
In addition to serving as the home of New England Patriots and the New England Revolution, Gillette Stadium has hosted a variety of sporting events since opening in 2002, including the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and high school football Super Bowls.
