University of Maine quarterback Mickey Fein faces arraignment Friday in 3rd District Court after he was arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Fein, 21, of Centerville, Mass., was stopped by Orono police Saturday at 10:30 p.m., only hours after leading the Black Bears to a 62-29 Homecoming football victory over Boston University.

Orono Police Capt. Linwood Green said Fein was stopped by officer George Spencer, who observed Fein backing a vehicle off the yard at a residence on North Main Street.

Fein failed a series of field sobriety tests and refused to take an Intoxilizer test used to measure blood alcohol level, then was arrested and taken to Penobscot County Jail in Bangor. He was later released pending Friday’s court date.

UMaine junior punt returner Darrick Brown also got into trouble Saturday night in Orono. Brown, 22, of Atlantic City, N.J., was arrested on charges of assault, disorderly conduct and unlawful use of a license/permit/identification after refusing to leave an altercation at Geddy’s Pub.

UMaine Sports Information Director Joe Roberts said Fein is refusing comment on the situation.

UMaine football coach Jack Cosgrove, who said he has not had any prior disciplinary problems with Fein or Brown, plans to let their cases go through the court system before contemplating possible punitive action.

“I have responsibilities, but there’s a higher authority involved here and that’s our legal system,” Cosgrove said. “If I find out somebody’s breaking curfew or skipping classes, that is a little bit different than [his] being involved with the legal system.”

Penobscot County District Attorney Chris Almy explained that Fein, regardless of whether he’s found guilty in court, will have his driver’s licence suspended by the Secretary of State for a minimum of 275 days for his refusal to take the Intoxilizer test.

If convicted of operating under the influence, a Class D misdemeanor, in combination with the failure to take the blood alcohol test, Fein faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 96 hours (four days) in jail and a fine of at least $500.

Deputy District Attorney Mike Roberts explained that Fein’s refusal to submit to an Intoxilizer test can be considered as evidence in a trial.

UMaine spokesman Joe Carr said because the incidents involving Fein and Brown occurred off campus, the university’s involvement would be limited to Cosgrove’s handling of their respective cases.

“[An arrest] would not impact a student’s status as a student at the university,” Carr said. “It becomes a matter of a decision to be made by the football coach as to what he wants to do.”

Saturday’s incident was not the first time Fein has been stopped in Orono and asked to perform sobriety tests. According to Yolanda Sly, a former reporter for The Maine Campus student newspaper, Fein was stopped on a Saturday night late last winter on College Avenue and was put through a series of field sobriety tests in the driveway of 81 College Ave., the Chi Omega sorority house.

Fein was not arrested that time.

Cosgrove admitted disappointment upon learning of his players’ alleged indiscretions, especially since there have been few publicized incidents involving UMaine football players in recent years.

“This has been a very disciplined football team in the community,” Cosgrove said. “Things like this are bound to occassionally flare up and, unfortunately, it’s an embarrassing situation for everyone involved.”

The most recent court cases involving UMaine football team members occurred in 1995.

Wide receiver James Rice was questioned in connection with a campus incident on Dec. 3, 1995, during which he allegedly sexually assaulted a female student on campus. While he was not charged, Rice left the university under an agreement with the Penobscot County District Attorney’s office. He was not to attend the university while the female student was enrolled there.

Rameek Wright, now a star senior receiver, was found guilty of disorderly conduct and fined $100 in August of 1995. He was one of several team members charged after altercation with a teammate on campus earlier that year.

Wright was involved in a wrestling match with Jason Mills that involved teammates Alon Byers, Roan Sterling and Greg Archie, all of whom left the team and had court cases pending.

Cosgrove said team members have been made aware of the incidents involving Fein and Brown, and have been encouraged to avoid further problems.

“The team knows about all situations when we have problems, and we talk about it as as football team,” Cosgrove said. “Whether it’s Mick or player No. 85, it all reflects back on us.”