> I am happy to announce (maybe I'm not telling you anything new here) the
> University of Maine has signed a web design and maintenance contract that,
> as of 12 noon Friday, March 2, 2001, replaced the current Athletic
> Department web sites, including the one I have proudly maintained for the
> past three years with a new and fresh look. I will no longer be involved
> in the design or maintenance of the hockey web site.
>
> The new site, which is scheduled to go live at 12 noon Friday, March 2nd,
> will be at http://www.goblackbears.com After I get home from the UMaine
> Black Bears vs. Providence College Friars hockey game I will remove the
> current web site and replace it with a link to the new site.
>
> I don't want to sound like an acceptance speech at the Emmys but there are
> a few folks that after three years I want to publicly thank.
>
> First, Cathy Hart. Without her encouragement and strength I never would
> have started down this path. I didn't know a damn thing about web design
> but I knew the fans of UMaine hockey deserved better than the limited
> information they were getting up to that point in time. Cathy was the
> driving force behind getting the Athletic Dept. administration to take a
> chance and let me work on a new web site for Men's Ice Hockey.
> Dr. Suzanne Tyler, Athletic Director, Dino Mattessich, Senior Athletic
> Director and Joe Roberts, Assistant Athletic Director/Media Relations, for
> taking that chance and letting a non-employee of the university, a
> volunteer create and maintain the official University of Maine web
> presence for Men's Ice Hockey. I appreciate the trust and confidence you
> showed in me.
> Tracey Flynn, Compliance Director, who was always available to me as a
> reference and guide through the maze that is the NCAA.
> Eric Soncrant, Assistant Athletic Director For Development, who as the
> liaison between the FoMH and the Athletic Department helped me find the
> means and methods to do what it was I thought the fans would like to see
> on a web site. Eric was always supportive and helpful when I needed
> information or advice.
> Kevin McPhee, Manager Of Athletic Events & Summer Sports Camps, who helped
> me compile the information for the Summer Skills Camps.
Melinda Ryan, Administrative Assistant for Sports Information. She always
has a great smile and a "what can I do to help you" attitude.
> Keith Bingham, Assistant Manager Of Media Relations, who provided me with
> an endless supply of information about the team, coaches, staff and games.
> This web site would not have been anywhere near as detailed as it was
> without his assistance. Keith was fast to supply me with all the media
> releases about the hockey team and always quick to ask me if he could
> assist me with anything. I will always be grateful to Keith for his help
> and friendship.
> Monty Rand, official photographer for UMaine athletics. What can you say
> about Monty? He is a true professional and his photos are simply the best.
> His willingness to loan me photos helped to make it a much more
> interesting web site.
> The UMaine Hockey program. The coaches; Shawn, Grant, Gene and Matt, the
> office staff; Jeanne and Sarah and the team members. Working with these
> folks was a grand pleasure. Their support and guidance made "working" on
> this web site for the past three years more fun than I ever could have
> imagined.
> Cindy Eves-Thomas, graphic artist/webmaster and my wife. Cindy is the
> brains behind the look and layout of the site. She taught me how to use
> digital cameras, scanners, layout programs, web editor tools and offered
> hundreds of hours of consultant work.
> Wayne Smith and several other fans of Maine Hockey that have, over the
> years, looked at the site with a critical eye and offered their ideas on
> how to make it better, more informative, faster or just more fun.
> Wow! quite a list, huh? Just goes to show you that it takes a lot of folks
> to create, maintain and keep a web site currant.
> Thank you all for the fun and enjoyment I've had working on this web site
> over the past three years. I think you'll enjoy the new site as well
> (maybe more!) and I know the Athletic Administration is very interested in
> the thoughts and ideas of the fans. So, if you have positive comments or
> constructive criticism let them know what you want. Maine Hockey and its
> fans are the best and they both deserve a great web site.
>