UM says `No charge’ for first 3 home games

If the best things in life are free, perhaps it could be argued a University of Maine football game is one of the best things in life.

UMaine athletic director Suzanne Tyler said Thursday the university will adhere to its previously announced plan not to charge admission for the Black Bears’ first three Yankee Conference home games this season.

That means Saturday’s 1 p.m. home opener against Boston University at Alumni Field in Orono is free, as are the Sept. 21 and Sept. 28 games against Rhode Island and Delaware, respectively.

Earlier this summer, the university was faced with the possibility of having to play some of Maine’s home games on the baseball field at Mahaney Diamond because of the grandstand renovations at Alumni Field. That won’t be necessary, because work on the bleachers and modular press box has progressed quickly enough to ensure seating at the football facility.

“We were at the point where it had already been announced and people had made some plans,” Tyler said. “We didn’t want to go back on our word, and we didn’t want people to pay $8 and have to sit in a lawn chair. Maybe we’ll gain a few fans and friends this way.”

There is a possibility Alumni Field will be able to accommodate up to 4,000 spectators Saturday. The stands on the home (west) side of the field, where the large grandstand was located, have been positioned in front of the press box. Those bleacher units only accommodate about 1,500 spectators.

Work on the new section of bleachers on the visitors’ side of the field is ahead of schedule, and may be ready in time for the game. UMaine sports information director Matt Bourque said the five-man crew assembling the 2,500-seat unit has been working 14-hour days on the project this week.

Aided by the lights at Mahaney Diamond, the workers were still plugging away Thursday night. UMaine assistant athletic director Jim Dyer was cautiously optimistic, citing concerns about the soggy weather forecast.

“The workers are making great progress. They’re working hard. It might be done, but then again it might not. If we do have it, it will be a bonus,” Dyer said.

Season tickets for the 1996 UMaine football season cost only $15, which takes into account the three free games. Those patrons will be afforded reserved seats at the free games, whereas other fans will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday’s game begins a new era of sorts at Alumni Field, where the grandstand dismantled earlier this summer had been constructed in 1946. On Sept. 28 of that year, coach Eck Allen’s Maine team played the first game on the field. Rhode Island won 14-13.