Maine Black Bears 2026 Offseason: Missing Out on Mistlebacher

[BlackBearHockeyFan]

What's the point of FBS outside of the Power Conferences? Eventually no one is going to play in bowl outside the CFP.

If all those donors want Football cover all the cost associated with it.

 

[BlackBearHockeyFan]

That would be the end of Maine hockey. And probably baseball. Both would need to be eliminated in order to get Maine football up to even close to the bottom level of FBS spending. No FBS conference that would admit Maine (and frankly, there isn't one) is going to supply the TV/playoff share revenue that Maine would need to close the budget gap. I'm also not sold that just slapping an FBS label on the program and having them play Ball State and Bowling Green provides a big jump in attention or attendance as compared to playing Rhode Island and Albany. Michigan or Alabama isn't coming to Orono. Not to mention that there would be A LOT of 0-12, 1-11, 2-10 seasons for everyone to give up on after three games.

I agree with dunbar that football isn't going away, even though it should. I have a small bit of optimism centered around the fact that the bigwigs hobnobbing in the suites at football games have a lot more gray hair than those at hockey games. We'll see if their estate plans provide enough support to keep the football train on its tracks. The Class of 1964 isn't going to live forever.

Football field would make a great parking lot
Can't even sell out a game being the only Division 1 Football team in the state.

 

[BlackBearHockeyFan]

Hockey was self-sufficient. Those days are over now. Back in my day we stayed a week at a 5-star resort in Los Angeles after winning the Freezeout. Now coaches have to fundraise for road trips and the team recycles medical supplies. Uncle Harold's platinum card has long since expired.

Does Football recycle medical supplies?

 

[cooch]

Not bridge related (sorry!) but really happy to let everyone know that my Black Bears history site is live a bit ahead of schedule.

https://www.mainehockeyhistory.com/

Definitely appreciate the feedback a few of you gave on the preview site. I still have a few bits of data that I'll be adding in the weeks leading up to puck drop, as well as a few other features I have roadmapped that I'll get to as I find time. I've tried to make this as comprehensive as possible, so a lot of research hours poured into this, both when it comes to the past but also the future as well.

There are a few sections of the site that I'll keep updated throughout the season, namely the Depth Chart and Recruiting Pipeline.

Web building is new territory for me so if things are slightly janky my apologies in advance. I've tried to keep this as optimized for mobile as possible but definitely a better experience on desktop.

I might of missed it but is there a way to select a particular seasons roster? Also in the first group of recruits from Canada in the 78-79 season (Aubut, Ellis, etc) there was a Cote as well, but I can't seem to find him.

 

[McGoverners]

This is the bigger issue - other than legacy and old money, there is no reason Maine should have baseball over men's soccer. Your two closest peers, New Hampshire and Vermont, have proven what you can do with men's soccer in northern New England. The new facility is already there, and Mahaney Diamond would be a great parking lot.

Baseball is the only spring sport worth following, is competitive in the conference, and has placed a handful of guys into the pro systems (with 1 MLB all-star).

Soccer would only be worth adding if it replaces football. I personally would rather have football, but I would lose no sleep over cutting it.

 

[Jacob0804]

Everyone up in arms over the updated parking situation.

 

[BlackBearHockeyFan]

No one being forced to buy a parking spot

 

[ticapnews]

Everyone up in arms over the updated parking situation.

Why park? Stay at the Ursa and walk. The best part is standing outside the hotel doors and looking at the endless stream of tall lights from the traffic sitting at a standstill on College Ave.

 

[AMC]

The football situation could be worse, Maine could have joined a worse all sports conference to serve FBS football, have a home schedule of two FCS teams, two MAC teams on Saturday, and two Wednesday night games in November.

 

[umhockey91]

Hockey was self-sufficient. Those days are over now. Back in my day we stayed a week at a 5-star resort in Los Angeles after winning the Freezeout. Now coaches have to fundraise for road trips and the team recycles medical supplies. Uncle Harold's platinum card has long since expired.

Let's not forget the $6 million check that Greg Powell handed Ben Barr last September. Seems like everyone wants to forget it or pretend that it didn't happen.

 

[umhockey91]

I don't have any "sources" so if you say the Alfonds push UMO to keep football I can't dispute it. I'd be a little surprised, as they built the ice rink at UNE but don't have their name on the football field. Out of all the schools they've given money to Colby and UMO are the only ones with their name on the football field.

I also don't disagree that March Madness is obviously much bigger than college hockey, but I'm not sure that Prairie Valley A&M beating Lehigh in a play in game generated more attention than Denver winning the frozen four or Penn State signing Gavin McKenna. A cinderella run like FGCU or VCU absolutely, but I don't know how much juice the play in games have. The PVA&M tweet after winning the play in game had 316 RT's and 1.6K likes, the Denver tweet after winning the national championship had 1K RT's and 3.7K likes.

Speaking of basketball, I think the women should be allowed to play in the new arena, but the men should be relegated to the rec center until they make the tournament. It's just not fair that they get a great new facility when they're one of the least successful D1 teams of all time. I'm a big fan of Markwood though, and if anyone can do get UMO there it's him.

Kind of a weird take....continue to play in the worst D1 basketball facility in the country until you take the tourney? I like Markwood as a coach but he's not a miracle worker. You at least going to give them some NIL $$$ to work with?

 

[umhockey91]

That would be the end of Maine hockey. And probably baseball. Both would need to be eliminated in order to get Maine football up to even close to the bottom level of FBS spending. No FBS conference that would admit Maine (and frankly, there isn't one) is going to supply the TV/playoff share revenue that Maine would need to close the budget gap. I'm also not sold that just slapping an FBS label on the program and having them play Ball State and Bowling Green provides a big jump in attention or attendance as compared to playing Rhode Island and Albany. Michigan or Alabama isn't coming to Orono. Not to mention that there would be A LOT of 0-12, 1-11, 2-10 seasons for everyone to give up on after three games.

I agree with dunbar that football isn't going away, even though it should. I have a small bit of optimism centered around the fact that the bigwigs hobnobbing in the suites at football games have a lot more gray hair than those at hockey games. We'll see if their estate plans provide enough support to keep the football train on its tracks. The Class of 1964 isn't going to live forever.

They are already planning their estates (see Dick Morse's recent $10 estate gift).....and Alfond Foundation net worth is now up to about $1.7 billion ($1.1 when you account for future commitments).

Listen guys....I know that most of you see the athletic dept. through a hockey lense but the future of UMaine Athletics is a well rounded and now.....heavily invested in machine (to the tune of about $230 million). Mahaney Diamond will be getting a $2.7 million makeover after the 2027 season if the BOT rubber stamps it next week.

Here's a new pic of Morse Arena rising over Alfond Stadium.....

mainejeff (@mainejeff) on X

.@BlackBearNation's Morse Arena quickly progressing....the new home of @MaineMBB, @BlackBearsWBB & football operations for @BlackBearsFB! Ⓜ️⚫️🐻🐾🏀🏈

x.com

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