WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Albert D. Bean Jr., the director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Southern Maine, was appointed commissioner of the Little East Conference Friday. Bean replaces Robert A. Dowd and is the third commissioner in the league’s 10-year history. Bean has been on the USM staff since 1983. The Little East Conference includes USM, Eastern Connecticut State, UMass.-Boston, UMass.-Dartmouth, Plymouth State, Rhode Island College, and Western Connecticut State.