Everybody has a favorite sports movie.

The success of the baseball film “Bull Durham” has resulted in a steady dose of sports movies in recent years.

But, there are still some memorable oldies.

Here are the favorite sports movies of some sports personalities across eastern Maine.

Rick Filighera, University of Maine women’s hockey coach: “It would be a tie between ‘Slapshot’ and ‘The Natural.’ ‘Slapshot’ was what hockey was kind of like back in the ’70s. It did go kind of overboard but that made it kind of fun. ‘The Natural’ was about baseball and baseball is my first love. That movie was made in Buffalo, where I’m from. It got a lot of hoopla in Buffalo. It was a good story. It was a little inspirational in that he had to go through adversity.”

Dick Whitmore, Colby College athletic director and men’s basketball: ” ‘Fear Strikes Out’ about [former eccentric Boston Red Sox center fielder] Jimmy Piersall. I grew up in Boston and used to go to Red Sox games and sit in the bleachers behind him. I saw him climb the flagpole and then, on another occasion, I saw him go sit in the corner behind the pole. I was curious to see if those incidents made it into the movie. One of them did. He made an impression on a little kid.”

Murray Putnam, Southern Aroostook High School athletic director and baseball coach: ‘”Field of Dreams” because it says a whole lot about fantasy and imagination and innocence and a whole lot of other stuff. We don’t stop long enough to, as Mac Davis sings, ‘Smell the Roses.’ ”

Terry Kenniston, Old Town High School principal and former MCI Preppers, Mt. Blue boys and Rockland girls basketball coach: ” ‘Hoosiers.’ I think it’s an outstanding story of how kids, no matter where they’re from, can accomplish an achievable goal if they work hard. Everybody puts their pants on the same way. I’ve seen it a number of times and have shown it to numerous groups of kids.”

Dana Smith, University of Maine women’s basketball assistant coach: ” ‘Hoosiers.’ It’s a classic about basketball, dedication and life lessons. There’s a lot of purpose to it.”

Katie Donovan, Hampden Academy principal and a former varsity field hockey, basketball, softball and track coach: ” ‘Hoosiers’ because it speaks of the type of school system we have here in Maine. People really relish and support high school sports. It’s about small schools. It’s about discipline, pride and beating the odds. On any given day, anybody can beat anybody else in high school sports.”

Tuell evaluates officials

Mike Tuell was a hockey referee and linesman for nearly 20 years.

A neck injury prematurely ended the career of the former 12-year Hockey East linesman and well-respected 17-year high school referee, but he is now an evaluator of officials for Hockey East.

Orono native Tuell covers games at the University of Maine for Hockey East supervisor of officials Brendan Sheehy.

Tuell fills out a report after each game.

“They are graded in 10 categories: judgment, game control, consistency, penalty selection, teamwork, poise, point of emphasis, positioning, mechanics and communication,” explained Tuell, who grades from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

He also has to write his take on any controversial situation.

Tuell said the major points of emphasis this season are checking from behind, holding the stick and interference away from the puck.

“You’ve seen a lot of referees call it obstruction hooking, holding or interference,” said Tuell. “That’s one of the reasons [Pittsburgh Penguins owner-player] Mario Lemieux has returned. He feels they have cut down on the holding, clutching and grabbing. That was one of the reasons he retired. Nobody wants to see that. And you want to let the skilled teams show their skill.”

He said the refereeing at Alfond Arena “has been very good for the most part. They’ve let the guys play for the most part. Nobody wants to see the game slowed down but the referees must also control the game.”

After retiring a few years ago, Tuell was approached by Hockey East for this job.

“I was happy to help. I’d be going to the games anyway and I always watch the officials. Now I’m a little more involved and I’m getting paid for it,” said the 41-year-old Tuell, who also coaches the Penobscot Valley Hockey Conference Travel Peewees.

Craven’s ride draws praise

Some local stock car drivers and track owners feel Newburgh’s Ricky Craven has a good opportunity with the No. 32 Tide Ford in Winston Cup this season.

The second-year team hired him earlier this week.

“I’m happy for him. It gives him a chance to prove himself,” said Gary Smith, the president of the Northeast Pro Stock Association and a driver on the circuit “I thought he was shafted by Hendrick Motorsports. They never gave him a chance after his accident. The Tide team is a quality team. He’s a good driver, he knows he’s a good driver. He has been waiting for his opportunity to show what he can do. [Crew chief] Mike Beam knows his stuff. Ricky is a hands-on type of guy and he’ll have a lot of input on set-ups.”

Driver Jeff Taylor, owner of Distance Racing Products, now located in Fairfield, said, “The Tide team has plenty of backing. That’s what he’s been missing lately. This is a good opportunity for him.”

Dave St. Clair, Wiscasset Raceway owner, said, “I wish him all the best. He can drive a race car. He’s been good right out of the box.”