BANGOR – During his coaching days at Bangor High School, Gabby Price could always count on a large turnout, plenty of enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment from his players.

The charismatic Price is hoping for the same kind of response as the head football coach of the recently resurrected Husson College program.

Recruiting has been the No. 1 priority for Price and his staff, who are out on the practice field this week working with the group of young men who will form the nucleus of Husson’s first varsity football team since the former Maine School of Commerce dropped the sport during the 1940s.

“Obviously, we’ve got a lot to learn,” Price said a week before the start of practice. “It’s football, but any new job is a lot to learn.”

Price was hoping to welcome 30 players to camp, even though the Braves won’t begin Division III intercollegiate competition until the 2003 season.

“Hopefully, we’re going to make it fun enough for them and have some intrasquad scrimmages,” Price said. “I’m sure this is not going to be easy.”

Most of Husson’s football infrastructure is in place. The coaching staff is on board and grass is growing on the new practice field, while the state-of-the-art FieldTurf playing surface (located on the outfield portion of the Winkin Baseball Complex) is already home to the Braves’ baseball and field hockey teams.

Husson purchased enough equipment to outfit 40 players and plans to complete its uniform and equipment purchases in time for its first full season.

Price has a spiffy new office in Newman Gymnasium and an adjacent room houses desks for his assistants, a meeting table, and a large TV screen. Husson also has revamped one of its locker rooms to accommodate the football squad and a downstairs room houses free weights for the use of student-athletes.

“All the way down from the top, they’ve been phenomenal,” Price said of the Husson administration and staff. “They’ve done everything they said they would do, and more.”

Among the football minds Price has gathered are two men with extensive head coaching experience. Former Hampden Academy and John Bapst coach Bob Sinclair and former Mattanawcook Academy coach Tom Whitney are on board.

They’re joined by longtime Bangor High assistant Fred Lower and former Bangor standouts Nat Clark, Mike Wilcox, and Jeff Guerrette.

“We know they’re quality people, enthusiastic, and have a passion for football,” Price said.

The Braves will prepare by practicing Monday through Thursday, 90 minutes per day, for about eight weeks.

Price scoured the Husson student body last winter and found several prospective football players. He then visited numerous Maine high schools and got the word out about his program.

“In March and April we tried to canvass most of Maine as much as we could, but we also sent letters to New Hampshire and Vermont, introducing ourselves around New England that Husson’s starting football,” Price said.

Price said Husson’s varied degree programs, including business, nursing, physical education and criminal justice, make it attractive to prospective students.

“We certainly feel that we’re an opportunity for Maine kids,” Price said. “Our belief is that they can get a great education here and hopefully we give them a great experience playing football.”

Husson’s most daunting challenge is to find a home in a league. Price said the 16-member New England Football Conference, home of Maine Maritime Academy and 15 other schools, chose not to accept Husson.

The remaining possibility is the six-team Freedom Football Conference, which features the likes of Plymouth State and Springfield. Negotiations are ongoing.

“I think we’re headed toward an affiliation,” said Husson athletic director Pam Hennessey, who has been at the forefront of discussions with Freedom representatives. “I think it’s crucial, in order to have a home schedule, for you to have a conference.”

“If not, we’ll have to work on an independent schedule,” said Price, who realizes there is more groundwork to be done before the Braves will be ready to play. One way or another, he plans to lead Husson onto the playing field a year from now.

“We want to take care of the players that we have here, recruit players to join those people, and do everything we can to have football be a positive part of Husson College,” Price said.