Dan,

One of the reasons I am against the Maine uniform
change is because so many other league teams have made
changes over the years. Lets also not forget that
political correctness has changed a few names.

I guess for me, I like the simple nature of the basic
uniform, although your idea is warming me up. Maybe
Maine could have a set of four jerseys. One set for
the regular season and one set for the post season. I
agree that a Bear would look cool on the Jersey's.

I also agree that while I am not a big fan of that
change, right now is the time to do it. Maybe the
Friends of Maine Hockey or the University could hold a
design contest this summer and make the change?

One good thing about my five years at UMaine was the
players I got to see. Fall 91 to Spring 96 saw a lot
of interesting college hockey history at the school.

As for the big game, I am going to support Michigan
all the way. I cannot support UNH and think Michigan
deserves to win.

Tony Bessey
UMaine 96
--- D B Doucette <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Maine showed this Saturday that they developed the
> mental toughness to
> match the level of their worthy opponent and exploit
> their evenly matched
> talent.  We lost, and earned the respect of the
> host.
>
> Note on USCHO the lack of ill will toward Maine in
> the aftermath of this
> latest classic against the Wolverines.  Me, I'm
> hoping for a Michigan -
> Cornell final, but have to give the edge to Big Red
> simply on experience
> factor and of course the goaltender edge.  Cornell
> hasn't had this skilled
> a netminder since they had some guy who later suited
> up for Les Habitants
> (eek)
>
> So, Tony, I somewhat agree with you there.  None of
> this "root for your
> conference" crapola; I can never support the
> University of No
> Hardware.  Look for Dick Umile to gas it once again
> in the big dance.
>
> Where you and I really disagree is on the Maine
> uniforms.  Did you see how
> many different versions of just the Maize uniform
> you could detect in the
> crowd shots at Yost ?  Michigan changes their
> uniforms about as many times
> as the Portland minor league hockey team has...I
> think it is high time for
> UMaine to make a change.
>
> I think a new home top and a third top would be in
> order, with the
> "snarling bear" logo to figure prominently.  I see
> you graduated in 96 - do
> you realize since the hockey program started that
> the basic design of the
> home top has changed very little, except for the
> printed or script word
> "Maine" and the numeral and name font on the back ?
> Take a look at how
> many opponents even in the limited confines of HE
> have made uniform changes
> since 1996.  What is so bad about change ?
>
> Merchandising revenue is very helpful to the entire
> college athletic
> program these days, and if they devote a portion of
> sales back into Maine
> hockey also, all the better.  I wanted them to do a
> change after the 99
> championship, but never really thought we could
> influence that; I think the
> new AD might be more of a marketing type.  I am
> convinced a well-designed
> change in the Maine top will sell like hotcakes.
>
> It really is a new era in Maine hockey now... a new
> outlook after this
> rather "transitional" season.  As Shawn did when he
> came in, some changes
> are in order as Whitehead establishes his identity
> more on the program,
> with a new AD to offer some ideas as well.
>
> We want more in 04 !!
>
> Dan Doucette  78 MPA 80
>
>
>
>
> Tony wrote
>
>
> >Many Division 1 schools and their players would
> have given anything to
> >have the season record we had, not to mention the
> fact that we skated into
> >the NCAA Regionals. 13 Years ago we would have been
> talking about success.
> >
> >I have been very open about being mad at this team,
> but I have taken some
> >time to put it into perspective this these past few
> weeks. I think this
> >year was bound to happen because of all the changes
> that naturally come
> >with the departure (even if by death) of a head
> coach. I think this did
> >not happen last year because of emotion.
> >
> >I am often reminded that water seeks its own level.
> I think this team is
> >just adapting to the forces of change that come
> with a new head coach. I
> >think things can only go up from here. I only ask
> that the University not
> >try to come up with a new uniform in the off season
> to start the new year
> >off with a fresh look. I think one of the great
> things about our programs
> >is our uniform.
> >
> >Now, each time we have won a National Championship,
> it has been through
> >Michigan. So I say that we turn around and do the
> classy thing and cheer
> >them on.
> >
> >Tony Bessey UMaine 96
> >hr
>
>