Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

[Chuck Murray]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

That's my take based on what was said. Of course, he is a politician so he could be saying one thing while doing another. Or he may decide he doesn't have enough to warrant going to the boosters; or the boosters could back TW anyway. There's also the fact that his position as AD is up on June 1, 2013 so he may feel no need to do anything and let his successor deal with it. It may just be idle speculation on my part, but that seems to be the way things are done around here now.

That's an important little tidbit of info to add some insight into what's (not?) going to happen at the end of this season ...

 

[sandiegoblkbr]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

To people who run an educational institution it matters just a tad. It isn't about what you or any other fan wants. It's about what Paul Ferguson expects from student-athletes. I'm going to guess his expectations don't align with yours.

However, I did run into Steve Abbott at the game Saturday night and from what little was said, it seems to me he is gathering ammunition to try to justify replacing TW at the end of the year. I realize to all you "fans" of the program it's a simple matter of wins and losses, but to school administrators it's a little more than that. Ridicule kids getting solid GPAs all you want, but to people running a school those things do matter. Abbott and Ferguson also have to walk a fine line and not p!ss off the wrong donors. While we're "getting real" let's be honest about the fact that all you in the Fire Whitehead brigade aren't going to contribute even a fraction of what these donors give to the university. As has been said several times, Abbott is a politician first and foremost. If he feels he has enough to make his case to the boosters after the season he will pull the trigger; if not TW serves out his contract - may even get an extension so the school doesn't have a "lame duck" coach. I would point out that writing a letter to Abbott, spelling out what you believe TW's shortcomings are and why you are no longer supporting the team would help his case, but we all know none of you will actually sign your real name to anything.

That's my take based on what was said. Of course, he is a politician so he could be saying one thing while doing another. Or he may decide he doesn't have enough to warrant going to the boosters; or the boosters could back TW anyway. There's also the fact that his position as AD is up on June 1, 2013 so he may feel no need to do anything and let his successor deal with it. It may just be idle speculation on my part, but that seems to be the way things are done around here now. For example, posting that families and alumni are being charged $20/game to go into the lounge after games - that was a total lie (I know because I asked) but it didn't stop anyone from spreading lies around the Internet...

Oh, and for all those expecting budget cuts to the hockey program: the only season 2003-2010 the football program turned a profit was 2006. Since then they have bled the university for $2.7M while expenses have increased to $3.5M/year. If cuts need to be made, it appears there are better targets than the hockey program.

Your obsession with our real names is creepy.

Abbott & Co. may not give a rats *ss about us as individuals........but when PAYING customers are no longer buying tickets by the hundreds.......believe me, he will take notice.

The Cross Center will be draining the corporate sponsorship dollars from Alfond........companies don't want to be associated with losers and they will get more exposure for their money in Bangor at a brand new facility.

Too bad Priceless........your hero Tim Whitehead is on borrowed time.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Your obsession with our real names is creepy.

Abbott & Co. may not give a rats *ss about us as individuals........but when PAYING customers are no longer buying tickets by the hundreds.......believe me, he will take notice.

The Cross Center will be draining the corporate sponsorship dollars from Alfond........companies don't want to be associated with losers and they will get more exposure for their money in Bangor at a brand new facility.

Too bad Priceless........your hero Tim Whitehead is on borrowed time.

My "obsession" with your real names is because you would rather be "Internet tough guy" and speak anonymously than risk anything happening because people know who you really are. You've been trying for years to make a dent financially, but revenues have remained constant. So no reason to send a letter because I guess Abbott & Co. don't give a rat's *ss about you.

Corporations may transfer their advertising dollars to the Cross Center but whose budget does that come out of? I'm fairly certain the hoops teams and women's ice hockey would have a problem if money from Alfond Arena went directly to the men's ice hockey team. And of course no other corporations in the area will want to advertise in their place, right?

And Tim isn't my "hero." He's a friend. Shawn was a hero when I was growing up but he didn't quite measure up to hero status. Maybe that's why I took his shortcomings so much harder than you.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

The Cross Center will be draining the corporate sponsorship dollars from Alfond........companies don't want to be associated with losers and they will get more exposure for their money in Bangor at a brand new facility.

Not that I want to get in between a good donnybrook, but more out of just trying to keep up with Downeast developments ... does the Cross Center have any sports tenant(s) set for their facility when it opens? Does Alfond Arena currently host a lot of non-sports events? Just trying to gauge the potential overlap.

 

[Drew S.]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Your obsession with our real names is creepy.

Abbott & Co. may not give a rats *ss about us as individuals........but when PAYING customers are no longer buying tickets by the hundreds.......believe me, he will take notice.

The Cross Center will be draining the corporate sponsorship dollars from Alfond........companies don't want to be associated with losers and they will get more exposure for their money in Bangor at a brand new facility.

Too bad Priceless........your hero Tim Whitehead is on borrowed time.

Regardless of whether people pay or get in free its pretty embarrassing when the Alfond is empty against a conference opponent. Even more so when there isn't really anything else going on. The athletic department is certainly to blame as well but whatever the reason some changes have to be made up there.

 

[sandiegoblkbr]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

My "obsession" with your real names is because you would rather be "Internet tough guy" and speak anonymously than risk anything happening because people know who you really are. You've been trying for years to make a dent financially, but revenues have remained constant. So no reason to send a letter because I guess Abbott & Co. don't give a rat's *ss about you.

Corporations may transfer their advertising dollars to the Cross Center but whose budget does that come out of? I'm fairly certain the hoops teams and women's ice hockey would have a problem if money from Alfond Arena went directly to the men's ice hockey team. And of course no other corporations in the area will want to advertise in their place, right?

And Tim isn't my "hero." He's a friend. Shawn was a hero when I was growing up but he didn't quite measure up to hero status. Maybe that's why I took his shortcomings so much harder than you.

Nothing to do with being an "internet tough guy"........has everything to do with facing the FACTS. This program has sunk to PATHETIC.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Nothing to do with being an "internet tough guy"........has everything to do with facing the FACTS. This program has sunk to PATHETIC.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with your desire to remain safely anonymous.

 

[UncleRay]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Nothing to do with being an "internet tough guy"........has everything to do with facing the FACTS. This program has sunk to PATHETIC.

Nice job avoiding the point. Most of us won't write Abbott a letter because we don't have the time, brains, balls, or belief that we can have an impact. But we'll run our big mouths here, safely behind an internet moniker. I believe that was Priceless' point. I do plan on writing a letter, when I believe the time is right. I'll write it partly because I think Timmay needs to go, and partly from a sense of loyalty to the rest of you. I will sign my name to it, because it is a name Steve will recognize from our time in high school together. Will that count for anything? Who knows. But the more people who write cogent, well thought-out letters will help, in some small way, in the effort to oust Whitehead.

 

[sandiegoblkbr]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Nice job avoiding the point. Most of us won't write Abbott a letter because we don't have the time, brains, balls, or belief that we can have an impact. But we'll run our big mouths here, safely behind an internet moniker. I believe that was Priceless' point. I do plan on writing a letter, when I believe the time is right. I'll write it partly because I think Timmay needs to go, and partly from a sense of loyalty to the rest of you. I will sign my name to it, because it is a name Steve will recognize from our time in high school together. Will that count for anything? Who knows. But the more people who write cogent, well thought-out letters will help, in some small way, in the effort to oust Whitehead.

In the meantime we should all support this pathetic team, sing Tim Whitehead's praises, hold hands, and sing kumbaya like the Whos of Whoville.

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Gooo Maines you can do eet! I no you cans!

One good shift zat all you need gonna turn dis ting aroun.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

In the meantime we should all support this pathetic team, sing Tim Whitehead's praises, hold hands, and sing kumbaya like the Whos of Whoville.

 

[sandiegoblkbr]

*yawn*

 

[walrus]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Nice job avoiding the point..

You expect folks care what the king(oops) of snide thinks or for that matter care what his point his?

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

I've sent a letter to A.D. Abbott,did it the right way,listing what I thought...along with how Maine Hockey has meant to all in the State and to the out of State Maine Hockey Fans and other misc. tidbits,signed my name,gave him my section/row/seat and invited him to stop by anytime and talk Hockey...and added my e-mail/phone number/mailing address and heard nothing and never had a visit by him...did I expect any of what I put down,not really but....but I know he's a busy man here on Campus and down in Portland.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

That's an important little tidbit of info to add some insight into what's (not?) going to happen at the end of this season ...

Well he knows how it feels to be left with a Troubled Issue,having Blake James give TW a Extension knowing full well that he(James)would be flying the coup and it would nothing for him to worry about anymore...had James been a decent A.D. he would given TW ONLY a 1 yr. extension and then let Abbott when he was hired to do what he thought fit to do...but that was a deal brokered by Kennedy & James.

 

[all bear]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

You expect folks care what the kind of snide thinks or for that matter care what his point his?

Translation puleeeze

Who else thinks Jacques Poriveau is actually Chuck "the schmuck" Murray ?

 

[all bear]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

I've sent a letter to A.D. Abbott,did it the right way,listing what I thought...along with how Maine Hockey has meant to all in the State and to the out of State Maine Hockey Fans and other misc. tidbits,signed my name,gave him my section/row/seat and invited him to stop by anytime and talk Hockey...and added my e-mail/phone number/mailing address and heard nothing and never had a visit by him...did I expect any of what I put down,not really but....but I know he's a busy man here on Campus and down in Portland.

And you didnt give him your girlfriends name, address and phone number ??

 

[Priceless]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

Translation puleeeze

Who else thinks Jacques Poriveau is actually Chuck "the schmuck" Murray ?

Maybe Jacques can translate for us

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine 2012 - Take 2. If This Ain't the Bottom...

And you didnt give him your girlfriends name, address and phone number ??

Nope...thought the Subject being dealt with was Hockey & TW and a few other tidbits,but when you send your letter out maybe you can invite him over for a few Cold 1's and a Barbeque Supper...oh forgot the ..!!!!

 

[wildcatdc]

Happy show tunes? You've got to be kidding, right? The UMaine Pep Band has one of the most extensive song list of any school in Hockey East and has no need to repeat a song, and yet in both the 1st and the 3rd periods they played Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones. Have you looked up the lyrics to that song ever? Not much of a happy show tune if you ask me. The Pep Band is one of the only bright spots left when it comes to seeing a game at the Alfond. They are the best college hockey band in the East.

....as anyone who was at the St. Paul/Excel Energy Center FF for the UNH-Maine semifinal game in 2002 will attest to. The fact that the Maine band learned the Gophers fight song was sheer brilliance. Got 11,000 or so in attendance to get behind the Black Bears. Being there with my best buddy, a Michigan fan, I can thank the Maine band for kicking off one of the worst days of my sporting fan life. Hearing the m i n n e s o t a chant still gives me chills, especially since I spend half my life in the twin cities.

Kudos, band.