Shawn Walsh, who two weeks ago underwent a stem-cell transplant at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., said Friday he is feeling stronger every day and is making progress in his outpatient treatment.

The University of Maine men’s hockey coach, who last July was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, is waiting to see how effective the stem-cell treatment will be in treating his cancer.

Walsh’s latest treatments began May 10 and involved a week of chemotherapy designed to suppress his immune system in preparation for the stem-cell transplant, which took place May 17.

Walsh, 45, was formally released from NIH on Sunday. He had his first outpatient testing Tuesday and will continue to undergo blood tests at NIH every Tuesday and Friday for the next several weeks to determine how his body is accepting the stem cells.

“One of the biggest things to me has been that this process usually involves 21 days in the hospital, but by Day 5 [May 22], I was able to come home [to brother Kevin’s house in Annandale, Md.] each afternoon and not return until the following morning,” Walsh said in a prepared statement.

“I’ve been able to keep up with the Stanley Cup [playoffs], see my wife Lynne, and enjoy some home cooking,” he added. “It sure beats hospital living.”

Walsh compared the most recent treatments to the immunotherapy he underwent nine months ago at UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center.

“It’s not as intense, but is more of an endurance test,” Walsh explained. “Fatigue is clearly the biggest byproduct of all the chemotherapy they’ve given me, but each day I’m feeling better.”

Walsh said his weight dropped to as low as 159 pounds during the first few days of chemotherapy, but that he has since gained back 12 pounds and has been able to engage in some physical activity.

“I was able to walk a mile and a half [Friday] morning and I hit some golf balls at the range two nights ago, so things are coming around,” Walsh said.

Walsh is anxious to return to his normal routine and hockey-related responsibilities.

“It has been different for me, experiencing life at a slower pace,” Walsh said. “It has given me a lot of time to think about and plan for next season. It’s been hard for me to contain my excitement for this coming season.”

While he must remain in Virginia, Walsh hopes to return to Orono for UMaine’s hockey alumni weekend in early July and then be back in Maine for good by Aug. 1.

Stem-cell transplantation involves transplanting stem cells from someone who is cancer-free and a very close genetic match into the cancer patient. Kevin Walsh was the donor for the procedure.

Stem cells are immature cells that develop into blood cells. If the transplant is successful, new cells will grow, multiply, and attack the cancer cells.

After being diagnosed with cancer last summer, Walsh had his cancerous left kidney removed July 7 at Boston Medical Center and underwent immunotherapy cycles in California in August and October. Between treatments, he returned to campus and directed practices.

Walsh returned to regular coaching duties the week of Oct. 22 and was on the bench for the Black Bears’ Oct. 27 game against Ohio State at Alfond Arena in Orono.

On March 29, Walsh went to NIH to undergo debulking procedures designed to prepare him for the stem-cell transplant. Doctors removed Walsh’s cancerous left lung and tumors located under his breastplate. The surgery was necessary to eradicate as many cancer cells as possible because the number of cancer cells present at the time of the transplant is directly related to the success rate of the procedure.

Dr. Richard Childs of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Dr. David Schrump, head of the Thoracic Oncology Section of the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute, are overseeing Walsh’s treatment at NIH. Childs is the primary investigator of the stem-cell study, which is a collaboration of both institutes.

In 17 seasons, Walsh has directed UMaine to a 399-214-44 record, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, five Final Fours, and two NCAA national championships. He ranks 11th among active coaches and 19th all-time with his 399 coaching victories.

A-10 says no to Friday games

While the NCAA recently elected to give colleges the option of playing football games on Friday nights rather than the traditional Saturday contests, the Atlantic 10 Conference won’t allow it.

The league’s head coaches voted unanimously last week that A-10 schools would not play Friday night games for the forseeable future. The vote was taken during the coaches’ annual meeting in Boca Raton, Fla.

While some have touted the flexibility afforded by playing on either Friday or Saturday, opponents recognize the potential effect Friday night games might have on high school competition.

“Our coaches are very sensitive to the impact Friday night games may have on high school football in their areas,” said Atlantic 10 Commissioner Linda Bruno. “… It is their belief that the sport would be best served by refraining from playing on Fridays – a position on which our directors of athletics agree.”

The University of Maine will, however, continue to schedule Saturday night games, which appear to have been well-received by players, coaches, and fans alike.

Drury receives Hodgdon Award

Rachel Drury, a member of the University of Southern Maine women’s soccer team, has been selected as the recipient of the Paula D. Hodgdon Leadership Award.

Drury, senior from Canton, is the eighth winner of the honor and the second in her family. Her sister Alison was the honoree in 1999.

The Hodgdon Award is given annually to the USM female student-athlete who exemplifies the qualities of Hodgdon, a former faculty member and field hockey coach who was a pioneer in women’s athletics.

The recipient must have played at least three years on an athletic team and must have been a valuable member of that team. She also must have displayed loyalty, dedication and commitment to the team, the sport and USM.

Drury played in 20 games for the Huskies last season and scored one goal, a game-winner against Husson. She logged 67 career games with four goals and four assists.