ORONO – It is quiet on the University of Maine campus here. The silence of the outdoors is broken only by the sound of leaves rustling underfoot as students make their way to class on a sunny, mid-October day.

But something is stirring within. Thump, thump, swish. Thump, thump, swish. The unmistakable sound emanating from Memorial Gym defines the freshman from Clinton who held the attention of Maine basketball fans for four years.

Cindy Blodgett turned this state into “Cindy-Maineia” as she led Lawrence of Fairfield to four straight Class A schoolgirl basketball championships. Along the way, her 2,565 points made history. She picked up all of the top individual basketball honors, and she is the most highly-recruited athlete on the UMaine campus this fall.

Her past successes are no small burden as she makes the transition to NCAA Division I play. Much is expected of her in college for what she accomplished in high school.

But that was then. This is now. It is a new beginning for Cindy Blodgett. She is back at the start, doing it all over again, in a different way.

And different it is. When I met Cindy Blodgett Monday afternoon, I was taken aback. She’s bigger, folks, I swear. She hasn’t been measured lately, but she told me I’m not the first to question if she has gained an inch or two beyond the 5-feet-9 we remember.

She didn’t play a spring sport, so she started working out for college early. “About a month after my last basketball game, I got into lifting,” she said.

Her first impression of NCAA Division I ball? “They’re larger. Considerably larger,” she said of the players with a grin and a shake of her head. “And they’re really competitive. But it’s because they enjoy what they’re doing and want to be doing it.”

She is still surprised by her popularity. “It’s always there,” she said of the public notice. “I can’t go out to eat with my family without being interrupted.” She doesn’t mind it; she just doesn’t expect it away from home or on campus.

But she has put the past behind her, and is ready for this new beginning. “It’s separate now,” she said. “I cherish those days, and wouldn’t give them up for anything. But I get to start out fresh again. It’s been really good because they (her teammates) have just accepted me like everyone else.”

Maine coach Joanne Palombo recognizes Blodgett has focused “the spotlight on the program.” The 1994-95 Bears make their debut Nov. 4 in a Blue-White scrimmage at Alfond Arena.

It was a Palombo coup to keep Blodgett in state. She was wooed by top programs in the country; name schools that would turn any head. “We’re very excited about the tradition we’re establishing in terms of keeping the best Maine players at the university, representing our state proudly,” Palombo said.

But that is just half the equation. The rest, Palombo said, is up to the fans. “The biggest thing for them,” she said of her players, “is the reward of the fans coming to watch them play. Fans showing their appreciation helps build something very powerful. I am pleased and excited with what is happening here.”

Palombo knows it is not going to be a bed of roses for Cindy Blodgett this year. “In truth, making the transition is a challenge strength-wise,” she said.”I am most impressed with her commitment to that through pre-season. She’s been outstanding. But she must learn how to play in terms of screen-setting and physical durability. She has a lanky build.”

Division I ball is fast, and the season long. “She has to work on speed and strength, and has worked tremendously on that,” the coach said. “The durability is not just game-by-game, but all season long.”

Strength is the key. Blodgett admits her lanky build may not change much. “Conditioning will probably just define my muscles more,” she said, pointing to her legs, but then happily flexed biceps that weren’t so evident a few months earlier.

Public pressure can sometimes be overwhelming, but her safety valve is nearby.”I so am lucky to have my parents,” Blodgett said. “I talk to them a lot and, if I have to, I can be home in 45 minutes.”

She faced tough decisions in high school requiring parental guidance, but the ones she’s facing in a hurry-up, 10,000 student-population are even tougher. For that, Cindy Blodgett is thankful she and her parents are so close in every way.