Bears made fans proud

Seven minutes and 36 seconds later and the tears are still evident on my cheeks. I may not be clutching a hockey stick between my sweaty fingers when morning comes. I probably won’t skip breakfast from depression, but my heart is a heavy stone.

I cannot say that I feel the same pain coursing through the veins of those Maine hockey players who dedicated every game breath to their fallen hero, coach and father figure. Maine blue does run through my veins but it was the “children” of Walsh who sweated that color.

I felt each bone-jarring check, but only spiritually. I felt pure elation with every game-tying goal and my heart did things no hearts can humanly do when the go-ahead goal hit the back of the Minnesota net.

All great things pass though and so do people. We came to realize how true those words were when University of Maine guide, legend, coach, friend, father and husband Shawn Walsh did just that last fall.

For anyone who sees this overtime game or season as anything less than incredible and awe-inspiring, I have three words for you, “You’re missing it.”

It was not only incredible and awe-inspiring but a complete success as well. The NCAA championship title would have been a wonderful capper to the season, but it wouldn’t have been the thing Coach Walsh would have been the most proud of. The heart, determination, pride, courage and unwavering attitude of those Maine players would have turned the corners of his mouth up much quicker than and overtime goal.

Does anyone even realize just how proud he would be? Does anyone realize how proud he is?

In his time at UMO, Shawn instilled much more than strong defense and team chemistry. He proved to be much more than a man of special teams and goaltending. Coach Walsh cared about every player, in every game, and throughout each and every minute of every day. He taught them how to win, not only on the ice, but also in life.

Nobody played harder this season than our players. Nobody loved stronger than our players. Nobody overcame any higher obstacles than our players.

Minnesota may have its first NCAA title in more than 20 years, but Maine players got something much deeper from this, Minnesota may have brought a trophy home, but Maine will bring back something a lot more meaningful.

Our players carried themselves with grace, maturity, strength and courage. They symbolized grit and determination. Not once did they ever give up.

I will always remember Peter Metcalf arguing the final goal of the game until no one would listen to him. Coach Walsh would be smiling at that one. The lessons he taught were well learned.

Thank you University of Maine Hockey. Thank you for allowing Coach Walsh to live symbolically through you play and effort.

Thank you for showing us how valuable a strong mentor, coach and father figure can be.

Thank you for making Maine proud.

Thank you for making Coach Walsh even prouder.

Roland J. Geary

Bangor

Walsh, team connected

I know, hockey might be considered “just a game.” However, during the recent NCAA tournament many attributed the emotional wave of the University of Maine hockey team’s success to something more, and by doing that the game took on a deeper purpose. It became a metaphor for a collective passage through loss and its accompanying grief.

My father died of cancer when I was 19. I understand this journey. It is a difficult life lesson to learn. Many never do, but it seems this team did and it made them strong.

The team’s journey through shock and denial, anger and sadness, was reflected in the ups and downs of their success in the first half of the season. As the season drew to a close, they came to accept what was gone and to make the most of what they now had. Those we lose live on in our memories and the inspiration those memories provide. The team started to win, week after week.

Shawn Walsh would have been the first to admit he was far from perfect. Yet, that imperfection is what makes his gifts to his players more meaningful. He was a human being and, in spite of his weaknesses, he developed his players’ inner strengths.

So, his players dedicated their year to him, wearing his name on their sleeves and carrying his fiery determination in their hearts. It was a fitting tribute to someone who made a difference to them. As the season progressed, the emotion of their loss became the fuel to make them better as a team, as players, and hopefully as people.

In his book, Touching My Father’s Soul, Jamling Tenzing Norgay quotes the Buddhist scholar, Jigme Lingpa:

“When the eagle soars up, high above the earth, its shadow for the while is nowhere to be seen. Yet bird and shadow still are linked. So too our actions. When conditions come together, their effects are clearly seen.” (New York: Harper Collins, 2001, p.32)

In the cloud of loss, the Shawn’s shadow seemed gone. However, Coach Walsh’s legacy became evident when his players, united in grief, came together and utilized every one of their talents. His connection to them was clearly seen, and what was lost was found.

Patty Kenny

Old Town

Hockey good for U-113

I was invited to the School Union 113 school board meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2002. This includes east Millinocket, Medway and Woodville. I am not a tax-paying citizen of that school district, but went as a supporter of a shared hockey program between Stearns and Schenck High Schools. Unfortunately, I left that meeting very disheartened, not only because the hockey program was denied, but because of the process by which it was done.

The first upsetting incident occurred when one of the school board members insulted and criticized a group of parents who have been requesting a shared hockey program. They were criticized for attending so many school board meetings, and for not being listed on the agenda correctly. The truth is, these parents always followed the instructions given them by the school superintendent and the school board chairman. School systems across the country are constantly asking for the participation, support and involvement of parents. At this meeting these parents were publicly reprimanded for their involvement. This group of parents was also criticized for writing a letter that was published in the Katahdin Times to bring public awareness to this issue, when they have every right to do this.

As the meeting progressed, facts about the shared hockey program were reviewed. A survey done by the Schenck principal showed at least 17 students who want to participate in a high school hockey program. The cost of this program is $7,662. Compared to existing high school varsity and JV sports, this cost is very reasonable.

The school board stated that they decided against the hockey program because they had to keep the school budget down. Tough choices to be made. That’s understandable.

However, at this meeting, the parents reported they had raised more than $3,000 to reduce the total cost. The school board refused to reconsider their decision. Then a private businessman offered to finance the remainder of the cost. Again the school board refused to reconsider their decision. Why?

When the money issue is taken out of why the hockey program was refused, what is the true, underlying reason for denial? Does it have anything to do with a superintendent and high school principal influencing how a school board votes on issues. Does it have anything to do with the superintendent and high school principal hindering tri-town shared services for personal reasons? It certainly has something to do with not putting student opportunities first.

Needless to say, emotions were running very high. The people attending the meeting were frustrated, astounded and very angry to have a varsity and JV sports program denied when there would be no cost to the town. This meeting certainly discouraged parent/public involvement in the school system process, and very much diminished the school board’s credibility.

The students interested in playing high school hockey have been playing most of their school year. They have worked hard to develop their skill. They are team players with students from all the tri-town communities, not just School Union 113 students. Don’t squelch their desire and enthusiasm. Don’t deny the, the opportunity to bring pride to themselves, their sport, and our communities.

The tri-town area has the proud history of putting students first by promoting strong academic and extracurricular programs. We have the history of encouraging our students to be competitive and to strive for their goals as individuals and as team players. As such, I encourage people to maintain that history by supporting a shared high school hockey program.

Judith E. Knowlton

Millinocket