Status of Winkin’s number uncertain> Former UMaine baseball coach Butterfield’s jersey to be retired at February banquet

The University of Maine athletic department announced in October that it would retire the No. 21 jersey of the late John “Jack” Butterfield, a longtime Black Bears baseball coach.

The move marks the first time a coach has been so honored, although only baseball coaches wear numbered uniforms.

UMaine Athletic Director Suzanne Tyler said university officials agreed to do the same for former UMaine baseball coach John Winkin, who wore No. 5.

“Yes, Winkin was mentioned as somebody we might do at the appropriate time,” Tyler said. “It’s a matter of when we’re gonna do it and how we’re gonna do it.”

Winkin hasn’t quite gotten used to the idea. His 22-year association with the university ended last summer when Tyler opted not to offer him a coaching contract. The 77-year-old coach guided the program for 22 seasons, directing the Bears to a 642-431-3 overall record and six trips to the College World Series.

Winkin now serves as Sports Fellow and assistant baseball coach at Husson College in Bangor. However, the circumstances of his departure from the Orono campus have left him hesitant to consider accepting such recognition from UMaine.

“I kind of shied away from it, thinking it might not be the appropriate time,” Winkin said. “It might be better to let time take its course a little bit.”

Tyler said UMaine President Fred Hutchinson has the final say on retiring jersey numbers and approving UMaine Sports Hall of Maine candidates.

Butterfield will be honored during the annual UMaine Hot Stove Banquet, scheduled for Feb. 16 at the Bangor Civic Center. The 1953 UMaine grad coached the Bears from 1957-74, leading UMaine to a 240-169-2 overall record.

Admission to the event, which begins at 5 p.m., is $35 per person. Proceeds benefit the UMaine baseball program. For tickets, contact the UMaine baseball office at 581-1096.

UMaine freshman Jamie Cassidy is in a shooting groove from the foul line this season. The 6-foot-4 forward from Methuen, Mass., has made 24 consecutive foul shots spanning almost seven full games.

Cassidy’s streak dates back to the first half of the Bears’ season-opening Nov. 22 loss at George Washington. The America East Rookie of the Week leads the league with a .962 free-throw percentage, having made 25 of 26.

By virtue of her 22-point performance Saturday against Western Kentucky, Cassidy also snapped a streak by teammate Cindy Blodgett. UMaine’s junior guard, who scored 20 against the Hilltoppers, had been the leading scorer in 34 straight games dating back to last season’s Nov. 25 contest at Alabama.

Blodgett has become the most prolific 3-point shooter in UMaine women’s basketball history. The junior guard from Clinton now has 111 career 3-pointers, which breaks the previous mark set by Carrie Goodhue, who hit 105 from 1988-92.

Blodgett has accomplished the feat in 69 games, giving her an average of 1.6 3-pointers per contest through two-plus seasons.

Mario Thyer has received a contract extension to continue on as assistant hockey coach at the University of Maine through June 30.

Thyer took Greg Cronin’s job when Cronin was named interim head coach last December. Cronin had replaced Shawn Walsh, who was suspended for his role in NCAA violations.

Cronin left last week to take a position with USA Hockey.

Walsh will return on Dec. 25.

The 30-year-old Thyer said he wasn’t sure whether or not coaching would be something he wanted to pursue as a livelihood.

“I had retired from playing and wanted to move on and do something else,” said Thyer. “Greg gave me the opportunity to coach so I figured why not give it a try. I really enjoy it a lot.”

Maine Athletic Director Sue Tyler said a national search to fill the position for the 1997-98 season will be opened and that Thyer will be one of the leading candidates.

The UMaine women’s basketball team is likely to be treated to another impressive “home” crowd for Sunday’s Dead River Company Shootout against Rhode Island at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland.

University of Maine Manager of Athletic Ticket Services Tina Kiriakou said Tuesday that 3,900 tickets have been presold.