1961 - The football team wins its first Yankee Conference championship.

In 1961, the Massachusetts Minutemen football team finished the season with an 8-1 record and won their first-ever Yankee Conference championship. This achievement marked a significant turning point for the program and helped establish UMass as a competitive force in the conference. The team was led by head coach Vic Fusia and standout players such as quarterback Dick Abare and running back John Pignone.