Torch Passing Under Amherst Stars
Torch Passing Under Amherst Stars
Original: 30x40 | Oil on Canvas | 2026
Prints: 18×24 | Cold Pressed Fine Art Paper | 2026
Torch Passing Under Amherst Stars
To look upon this canvas is to witness the heartbeat of UMass Lacrosse—one of the most hallowed programs in the nation. It is a lineage of grit, family, and tradition that has thrived since its inception in 1954. "Torch Passing Under Amherst Stars" captures the sacred transition of the torch, set against the crisp air of a New England autumn during the legendary Cider Bowl.
The Changing of the Guard
At the center of the frame, the future of the program unfolds. Former Head Coach Greg Cannella, a man who has poured his soul into this team for decades, passes a lit torch to the new Head Coach, Kyle Smith. Standing alongside them is a lineage of leadership: the legendary Dick Garber and his son Ted Garber, who both paved the way. Joining them is Kyle’s father, Hall of Fame voice Norm Smith, and his grandfather, the New England pioneer Neville Smith. Completing this focal circle of "Caretakers" is Brett Garber—son of Ted, grandson of Dick, and a key leader of the 2006 NCAA Finalist team.
Together, they sit atop a pickup truck overflowing with harvest apples, raising a toast to the Gorilla spirit that defines UMass Lacrosse.
Rooted in History and Honor
The foreground is a masterclass in reverence for the "Creator’s Game":
The First Nations: Two Mohawk warriors stand at the ceremony, bringing a peace pipe offering to celebrate the anointment of Kyle Smith and to honor the indigenous roots of the sport.
The Artifacts: On the ground, a timeline of helmets—from 1950s leather and steel to modern styles—marks 72+ years of evolution. Resting against a barrel are the tools of legends: Dick Hoss’s traditional wood stick from the 1960s and Jim MacAleavey’s iconic STX SAM head with the round gold shaft, the very stick he used for four years to secure 171 assists—a program record that still stands today.
The Accolades: To the right, a barrel holds nine sticks, each representing a First Team All-American who donned the Maroon and White.
The Tradition: Centered is the soul of the fall: a barrel of cider and ginger snaps, the fuel of every Cider Bowl since the tradition began.
A Brotherhood Without Borders
The stars above watch over a sea of faces representing the program’s massive, interconnected family. From Hall of Fame legends like Sal LoCascio, Scott Hiller, and Mark Millon, to the "Nassau Connection" teammates of Coach Cannella—John Jordan and Paul Ganci—the painting pulses with energy.
Generational bonds are everywhere, seen in the Salenger, Carr, Gabrielli, Cain, and Tobin families. In the midst of these alumni, a Gorilla stands tall—a symbol of the "Garber’s Gorillas" who never back down.
For Those Who Lead the Way
In the distance, the iconic Peter Pan Bus—the program’s chariot for decades of East Coast battles—cuts across the horizon. Beside it stands the late Judy Dietle, UMass' biggest fan. A fixture of the program throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Judy was there without fail for every send-off and every return, welcoming the team back to campus with her loving wave.
Most poignantly, the painting holds space for the brothers who left the field too soon: Chris Tyler, Adam Kaminska, and the "heart and soul" himself, Eric Sopracasa. Their presence ensures that while the torch passes to a new hand, the flame is kept alive by every man who ever stepped onto Garber Field.
This is the UMass Lacrosse story—written in sweat, cider, and the enduring bond of the Gorilla family.
"Once a Gorilla, Always a Gorilla."
Torch Passing Under Amherst Stars
Original: 30x40 | Oil on Canvas | 2026
Prints: 18×24 | Cold Pressed Fine Art Paper | 2026
Torch Passing Under Amherst Stars
To look upon this canvas is to witness the heartbeat of UMass Lacrosse—one of the most hallowed programs in the nation. It is a lineage of grit, family, and tradition that has thrived since its inception in 1954. "Torch Passing Under Amherst Stars" captures the sacred transition of the torch, set against the crisp air of a New England autumn during the legendary Cider Bowl.
The Changing of the Guard
At the center of the frame, the future of the program unfolds. Former Head Coach Greg Cannella, a man who has poured his soul into this team for decades, passes a lit torch to the new Head Coach, Kyle Smith. Standing alongside them is a lineage of leadership: the legendary Dick Garber and his son Ted Garber, who both paved the way. Joining them is Kyle’s father, Hall of Fame voice Norm Smith, and his grandfather, the New England pioneer Neville Smith. Completing this focal circle of "Caretakers" is Brett Garber—son of Ted, grandson of Dick, and a key leader of the 2006 NCAA Finalist team.
Together, they sit atop a pickup truck overflowing with harvest apples, raising a toast to the Gorilla spirit that defines UMass Lacrosse.
Rooted in History and Honor
The foreground is a masterclass in reverence for the "Creator’s Game":
The First Nations: Two Mohawk warriors stand at the ceremony, bringing a peace pipe offering to celebrate the anointment of Kyle Smith and to honor the indigenous roots of the sport.
The Artifacts: On the ground, a timeline of helmets—from 1950s leather and steel to modern styles—marks 72+ years of evolution. Resting against a barrel are the tools of legends: Dick Hoss’s traditional wood stick from the 1960s and Jim MacAleavey’s iconic STX SAM head with the round gold shaft, the very stick he used for four years to secure 171 assists—a program record that still stands today.
The Accolades: To the right, a barrel holds nine sticks, each representing a First Team All-American who donned the Maroon and White.
The Tradition: Centered is the soul of the fall: a barrel of cider and ginger snaps, the fuel of every Cider Bowl since the tradition began.
A Brotherhood Without Borders
The stars above watch over a sea of faces representing the program’s massive, interconnected family. From Hall of Fame legends like Sal LoCascio, Scott Hiller, and Mark Millon, to the "Nassau Connection" teammates of Coach Cannella—John Jordan and Paul Ganci—the painting pulses with energy.
Generational bonds are everywhere, seen in the Salenger, Carr, Gabrielli, Cain, and Tobin families. In the midst of these alumni, a Gorilla stands tall—a symbol of the "Garber’s Gorillas" who never back down.
For Those Who Lead the Way
In the distance, the iconic Peter Pan Bus—the program’s chariot for decades of East Coast battles—cuts across the horizon. Beside it stands the late Judy Dietle, UMass' biggest fan. A fixture of the program throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Judy was there without fail for every send-off and every return, welcoming the team back to campus with her loving wave.
Most poignantly, the painting holds space for the brothers who left the field too soon: Chris Tyler, Adam Kaminska, and the "heart and soul" himself, Eric Sopracasa. Their presence ensures that while the torch passes to a new hand, the flame is kept alive by every man who ever stepped onto Garber Field.
This is the UMass Lacrosse story—written in sweat, cider, and the enduring bond of the Gorilla family.
"Once a Gorilla, Always a Gorilla."