Ben Barr has been named the head coach for men’s ice hockey. Barr comes to UMaine from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he was associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for five years. “We are thrilled to welcome Ben Barr to the University of Maine,” said Ken Ralph. “He brings with him an amazing…
The UMaine and college hockey communities were shocked by the sudden death of men’s hockey coach Dennis “Red” Gendron on Friday, April 9. Red, 63, was playing golf in Orono when he suffered a heart attack. UMaine Athletics shared this post, which features a tribute to Red that was presented prior to Saturday’s NCAA men’s…
Last weekend was one of mixed of emotions for fans of UMaine athletics. On Saturday, the Black Bear football team defeated Albany in one of the most unusual games in school history. Aside from UMaine’s impressive 38-34 win over the favored Great Danes, the game was played in mid-March with virtually no fans in Harold…
BRENDAN WALSH ’00 has long held a reputation as an enforcer. Two decades ago, he patrolled the ice of Alfond Arena as a tough-as-nails member of UMaine men’s ice hockey team, the 1999 NCAA national champions. Today, Walsh polices a different territory as a detective with the Boston Police Department. The 46-year-old Massachusetts native is…
THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE in Orono will be the largest beneficiary of the Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic investment in Maine’s public universities. In October, the foundation, established by its namesake in 1950, announced it would be providing more than $500 million in grants to Maine people and institutions. The grants are intended to grow Maine’s…
Thanks to the Harold Alfond Foundation’s latest investment in UMaine academics and athletics, Black Bear Athletics today unveiled a master plan designed to improve the quality, accessibility, and gender equality of the university’s intercollegiate and recreational facilities. Projects include a new soccer facility that will feature synthetic turf, stadium seating, broadcast-quality lighting, and more. (See…
Although basketball fans can’t pack The Pit in person to cheer for the Black Bears this season, they can show their support with a fan cutout. These cutouts, which are made from photos of individuals, will occupy seats in The Pit during men’s and women’s games. At the end of the basketball season, fans can…
UMaine’s ice hockey and basketball teams have returned to competition following a two-week delay prompted by COVID-19-related precautionary measures. “Our teams are thrilled to be able to resume their competitive seasons,” says UMaine athletics director Ken Ralph. “The students have worked hard to stay safe while preparing physically for their seasons. ” Last week, the…
Mal Osborn ’52 of Winston-Salem, NC, misplaced his beloved UMaine letter jacket last fall. The 92-year-old alumnus was a cross country and track star at the university in 1949-1952, and later had a long legal career. Thanks to his family’s efforts on social media, he recovered his UMaine jacket. In this 2016 photo, Mal wears…
The University of Maine will be a major beneficiary of the Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic $240 million gift to the University of Maine System. UMaine President Ferrini-Mundy noted that the historic gift would “benefit our students for decades.” She added, “With $20 million from the Alfond Foundation, we will develop new programs to support student…
For a recent update on this season’s Black Bear sports, watch Director of Athletics Ken Ralph, soccer head coach Scott Atherley ’89, ’91G, and football coach Nick Charlton discuss the challenges of COVID-19 on UMaine athletics. Members of the women’s basketball team discuss measures that the Athletics Department took to keep them safe. Watch the…
Jeremy Swayman, a junior goaltender on the Black Bears’ men’s ice hockey team, opted to pass up his final year at UMaine and signed with the Boston Bruins in March. Swayman’s final season as a Black Bear was a memorable one. He was selected as Hockey East Player of the Year and received the Mike…