All-
  After seeing the message traffic on the article in
the BDN about the UMaine-BU game, I like most of you
got torked off so I sent in the following email to the
BDN.  You'll have to let me know if they print it.
 
ken
 
Gooooooo Blue!
 
--------------
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999 06:41:42 -0800 (PST)
From: Ken <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: reply to 14 Dec Letter by Peter Duston
To: [log in to unmask]
 
 
Mr Dunston on 14 Dec wrote
(http://www.bangornews.com/Sports/19991214000000SportsLette.html)in
to say "Shame on UMaine" for some behavior he
experienced at Alfond at the UMaine-BU game last
Friday night.  I received a copy of it via a UMaine
Hockey email newsletter I subscribe to.  After reading
Mr Dunston's remarks I felt compelled to respond.
 
I am a UMaine grad and am and have been an avid fan of
their hockey program since I attended UMaine
(1985-89).  I went to their first Final Four at Lake
Placid and now that I live in the Boston area I try to
attend their away games as much as possible.
 
While I was not at the BU game, I find Mr Dunston's
opinion regarding fan behavior at Alfond to be 180
degrees from anything I have ever experienced at the
many games I have attended there over the years.
 
For Mr Dunston's benefit however, let me tell you
about the "fun" times I have had and "sportsmanship" I
have seen while attending UMaine games down this way.
 
 
While at a UMaine-UMass/Lowell game, I was standing by
the team bus after the UMaine win to cheer the team
and was pelted in the face by a snow/iceball from a
UMass/Lowell fan.  While at a BU game I witnessed BU
fans pouring beer and soda down from the balcony onto
two young girls walking back to the UMaine section
with their father.  While at another BU game, my
friends and I were harrassed/shoved/spit upon after a
UMaine loss while leaving their arena.  While at a
UMaine game at UNH, the UMaine section received three
periods worth of obscene taunts even after some of us
told them to stop as young kids were present.
 
Those are just some of the highlights.  The sad truth
Mr Dunston is that bad behavior happens everywhere and
is human nature to root against the fans of the
opposing team.  It's all part of game when done in the
spirit of competition.  When it crosses the line to
abuse then, I will agree with you, that
ushers/authorities present should step in after you
have tried to resolve the matter.  But to paint a
picture of wide-spread UMaine "hazing" of opponents'
fans based on comments overheard at your hotel and the
behavior one the "single, very loud voice" sitting
behind you is both inaccurate and irresponsible.
Sportsmanship is contagious so my advice to you is to
set the example yourself and others will follow.
 
 
Ken Rickert
Littleton, MA
 
 
 
=====
Ken Rickert
UMaine '89
[log in to unmask]
UMaine Hockey Kicks Ice! (1993/1999 NCAA Champs)
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