UMaine wrong on No. 9

I read on Monday (July 2) with some disbelief that the University of Maine retired the jersey of a player that didn’t even finish two seasons with the team. Did Paul Kariya have a fabulous freshman season? Absolutely. Did he play a big part in the school’s first ever national title? Absolutely. Did he do it all by himself? Absolutely not.

Did he wear the Blue and White proudly for four years? Absolutely not. Did he chase the money of the NHL when it presented itself? Absolutely.

Paul Kariya did great things for the University of Maine. But he only did them for one year. The first greenback that came his way and he couldn’t even spell Maine anymore. He wasn’t the first Hobey Baker Award winner from Maine and he won’t be the last. There have been those before him and those after him that have worn the school colors proud for their four years – some resulting in another national title.

I don’t see their numbers retired. Something is wrong with the process. Post-college success should play no part in the retiring of jersey’s at the University of Maine. Retire them on the merits of what a player did for the school. Use this criteria and Paul Kariya falls well short of the loyalty required of this honor.

Reg Bamford

Levant

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