An estimated 1,000 fans showed up at Bangor International
Airport Sunday afternoon to greet the University of Maine
Black Bears hockey team. Another 4,000+ fans awaited the
the homecoming of the 1992-93 NCAA Division I champions
at Harold Alfond Sports Arena.
 
At 6:15 p.m. the Black Bears' chartered jet touched down
and minutes later Maine Gov. John McKernan and his wife,
U.S. Congresswoman Olympia Snowe, emerged from the gate.
Soon after, UMaine President Fred Hutchinson emerged and then
head coach Shawn Walsh. The players weren't far behind, with
team captain Jim Montgomery holding the championship plaque
high above his head for all to see.
 
The players were quick to board their bus to make the final
12-mile trip back to Orono. Walsh thanked a screaming crowd
at Alfond an hour later for their support in coming out to
the overpasses along Interstate 95 to salute the players.
 
After a slight delay and a few dozen M-A-I-N-E Go Blue! chants,
the Naked Five - five self-appointed male cheerleaders who
made their first appearance when Boston University came to town
Feb. 19 - charged out of the tunnel, their chests bare, each
displaying a letter to spell Maine. Maine's mascot, Bananas,
was quick to follow with the UMaine Black Bear flag, to get the
crowd pumped.
 
UMaine Athletic Director Michael Ploszek addressed the crowd,
saying that when Maine came out to play the third period last
night, a roar of thunder could be heard comig from the east,
and it was then the Maine players knew what they had to do to
bring Maine its first national championship.
 
After brief comments from Snowe and McKernan, Walsh took the
mic and thanked everyone in attendance and the citizens of
Maine. He then proceeded to introduce each player to the crowd.
 
The pep rally ended with the players parading the championship
plaque around the arena.
 
The championship banner will be unveiled at next season's home
opener.
 
 
 
Ryan Robbins
Penobscot Hall
University of Maine
 
[log in to unmask]