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