I am going to post another article from the archives here at The Maine
Campus from 1962. Hope you all enjoy a little piece of history before
Maine hockey came to be what we know it as today.
 
September 13, 1962
UM May Have Ice Hockey Soon
 
By Bob Kelleter
 
Success of hockey at Colby Colllege and interest in the ice sport have
often prompted University of Maine students to ask when the Black Bears
will add hockey to their varsity sport program.
        According to Sports Publicist Stuart Haskell, "Maine will add hockey
when an indoor arena is built and not before."
        The University of Maine trustees have made plans for a hockey arena in
their revised schedule for proposed capital improvements. If building
on the Orono and Portland campuses go according to the trustees'
proposed schedule, an arena will be built at the university between the
1965-67 period.
        However, Haskell points out that this is no indication of the thoughts
of the Maine Legislature. The governing group must appropriate the
necessary funds, and this may not happen until the mid-70s, says
Haskell.
        Never before has the state of Maine supported athletics at the
University of Maine. The Memorial Gymnasium and Alumni Field were both
financed by alumni, students, facult and friends, says Haskell.
        In fact, unlike most state universities, the athletic program at Maine
is entirely self supporting, says Haskell. The bulk of the backing
comes from the student activity fees. Very little comes from gate
receipts and none comes from the state.
        Basketball games are almost totally closed to outsiders and football
draws barely enough to meet expenses.
        The Trustees' schedule lists various construction projects in the
order the board deems necessary. Of course, the Legislature can then
alter that list. An arena is listed at number 30. A million-dollar
classroom building ranks first, while a university press building is
11th. Improvements on the present gym, costing $295,000, rank 12th.
        The appropriation would be used primarily to improve locker
facilities, the training room and equipment space.
        The projected arena itself has not reached the planning boards. It
will not not either, until funds are appropriated for the construction.
Architects' fees normally run to 10 percent of the construction cost.
For the projected $2,500,000 arena, this would amount to $250,000, a
sum the legislature will not spend until it is necessary.
        haskell says the new arena will probably house a hockey rink, a
basketball floor, and a swimming pool, in addition to the necessary
locker, training, and equipment space. The hockey arena would probably
seat about 7,000 fans, although Haskell points out this is merely
conjecture. The arena itself has gotten on the trustees' schedule, no
further.
        In 1959, the trustees placed a hockey rink on their list as the number
16 choice, says Haskell. This building was to have been strictly a
hockey arena.
        The legislature appropriations committee asked the trustees to remove
the rink in their final request, fearing its inclusion would hurt the
chances of the other projects.
        It was explained at that time, that the legislature would not be at
all favorable toward a rink.
        Thus, it appears that hockey at Maine is in the distant future. The
trustees seemingly hope for 1967. The legislature will express its
views in the next session, in January of 1963.
 
        The article got a little wordy, but interesting nonetheless. The next
piece I'll post is from a campus columnist who argued that the
university should have tried to cover up the credit situation with Cal
Ingraham in a column entitled, "The NCAA is a farce." I am sure many
around here will share some laughs at that.