John,

Well said!  Guess we have both grown tired of fighting the good fight on
USCHO and that in itself is a testament to the decline of the program.

I agree whole-heartedly that taking the time to write or call is a much
better solution.  I have yet to do that as I guess I am still holding on
to some hope that this team can compete.  However, deep down I knew going
into the season with the roster in place that would not be the case, and
on this I was correct.

I don't know how anyone who ever played for Maine would be ashamed to
admit that? That sounds like more of a personal issue.  Maine still has a
great tradition and these last 5 years while very disappointing are still
much better than the PC's, UMASS, St. Lawrence, Clarkson or a Northern or
Western Michigan.  And yet I am sure the guys who played at those schools
would not be embarrassed to admit where they played.

I will eventually send a letter, but will make sure I time it so it has
more impact.  Whether that is in February or March will depend upon the on
ice results.
  
Bob Fitta '83

On 12/14/11 1:07 AM, "John Forsyth" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>From 1991-93 I was a jack-of-all-trades for the hockey team, doing
>everything from equipment manager to office work.  In the end, I was
>primarily the team's videographer.  Some of you may recall my posts on
>the 
>old maine.hockey-l, which I consider the precursor to USCHO (even though
>m.h-l is still going).
>
>For many years I have been a supporter of Tim's.  I know him from my time
>in 
>Orono and found him to be a very friendly guy.  But reading in Nonni's
>email 
>about alumni who try to hide the fact that they played hockey at Maine
>struck a nerve.  I went to North Yarmouth Academy and followed such
>players 
>as the Weinrich brothers, Mike McHugh and Eric Fenton from the school.
>After my time at Maine I returned to coach at NYA and kids still dreamt
>of 
>suiting up for Maine.  Now our kids dream of following Travis Roy to BU
>or 
>Brian Dumoulin to BC.
>
>NYA also has hired Cap Raeder as our full-time goaltender coach to work
>with 
>both boys and girls teams from junior high on up.  As I understand it,
>Maine 
>has a part-time goalie coach who is mainly in New Brunswick.  Grant
>wasn't 
>going to coach forever and I think he coached at Maine longer than he
>wanted, but we should have had somebody to replace him.
>
>Despite my support of Tim, I encouraged people to contact the Athletic
>Director and/or the President's office to let them know.  I have posted
>the 
>email and postal addresses, as well as phone numbers, for both offices.
>Writing anonymous comments on a message board is cowardly, accomplishes
>nothing and is just an exercise in vanity.  The president, AD and anyone
>else in authority does not (and should not) give credence to such
>anonymous 
>postings.  What gets their attention is letters, emails, phone calls and
>even office visits - especially from alumni or donors.  Many of the
>morons 
>in the Maine thread over at USCHO are fair-weather fans (if that) who
>have 
>mocked me for a brain tumor that has disabled me and caused partial nerve
>damage; and recently voiced dismay that Tim did not get caught raping
>boys 
>like Jerry Sandusky did.  They have no class, no loyalty and would rather
>Maine lose games or go through a horrible scandal to get Tim fired than
>win 
>games and be successful.  Those are not supporters of the program.
>
>I have also seen people heap criticism and aim insults at the players.
>This 
>is, in my view, unacceptable.  Whether you believe some of these players
>are 
>inferior to what we have seen in the past is irrelevant.  They agreed to
>come to Maine.  They wear the same sweater Kariya and Pellerin and Roy
>wore 
>before them.  They work just as hard, sacrifice just as much.  They
>represent the school, the alumni and the fans.  They are due the same
>respect and thanks that was directed at players of yesterday.
>
>Steve Abbott
>Director of Athletics
>5747 Memorial Gym
>Orono, Maine 04469
>207-581-1052
>
>Paul W. Ferguson
>Office of the President
>5703 Alumni Hall, Suite 200
>Orono, ME 04469
>207-581-1512
>
>Send letters, call the office and, if you can spare the time, schedule an
>appointment to meet with Abbott.  That will get his attention.  I have
>written to both and hope to meet with Steve when I return to campus next
>month.  I encourage people to do likewise.
>
>John Forsyth