UMaine must wait for White

Rickey White, who had planned to attend the University of Maine on a basketball scholarship this fall, must wait at least another semester to become a Black Bear.

White, an All-Maine first-team forward out of Mount Ararat High in Topsham, still has not achieved the minimum Scholastic Aptitude (SAT) test score required of seniors by the NCAA.

White, a 6-foot-5 slasher, signed a National Letter of Intent last year to attend UMaine. However, he came up approximately 40 points shy of the NCAA’s initial eligibility requirements, according to AAU coach Carl Parker of Bangor.

UMaine coach John Giannini is prohibited by NCAA rules from talking about White’s status.

Parker said White, who averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots for the Eagles last season, likely will move to the Bangor area this fall and begin preparing to retake the SAT. He may take a class at University College in Bangor.

“I think he’ll have an opportunity to take the SAT again in September, October and November, so he’ll have three more opportunities before the second semester,” said Parker, who spoke highly of the talented player.

He explained White remained in Topsham last year and lived with another family after his sister, with whom he had spent the previous three years, moved back to their home in Louisiana.

“He’s a super kid,” Parker said. “Hopefully, things will turn out all right for him.”

The Maine Athletic Conference has called a Thursday press conference during which it will announce Webber Energy Fuels as a corporate sponsor.

Webber, under CEO and longtime local sports benefactor Larry Mahaney, has agreed to sponsor MAC championships in eight different sports during the 1998-99 season, according to league commissioner Royal Goheen.

Webber Energy Fuels also has been the major corporate sponsor of the America East Women’s Basketball Championship for the last three seasons at UMaine.

The MAC includes Husson College of Bangor, the University of Maine-Presque Isle, UMaine-Farmington, UMaine-Machias, newcomer Maine Maritime Academy of Castine, Thomas College of Waterville, St. Joseph’s of Standish and the University of New England in Biddeford.

The schools have agreed to display a Webber Energy Fuels banner bearing the names of the eight league members.