A friendship that began 56 years ago will reach another milestone on Saturday.

The dedication of Harold Alfond Diamond will take place on the field located in the John Winkin Baseball Complex at Husson College in Bangor. It will start at 1 p.m.

It is the first artificial turf baseball diamond in New England and was funded by a $1 million gift from philanthropist Alfond to Husson College and his close long-time friend Winkin, the vice president of sports leadership and assistant baseball coach at Husson.

The gift also provided a scholarship program for children in central Maine and the children of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“The thing I like about it is Harold is a genuine baseball man and we’ve had some great experiences in the game of baseball together,” said Winkin, who has attended 35 major league World Series with Alfond.

Winkin used to coach Alfond’s sons, Teddy and Billy, and the families have always been close.

Winkin, the former Colby College and University of Maine baseball coach, said two phases are now complete in the Winkin Baseball Complex project at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. Winkin donated $250,000 to improve the field and add dugouts and a multi-purpose building behind home plate.

“The first phase is what I did with the help of other people and this second phase is Harold’s with the help of the Huards,” said Winkin referring to brothers John and Ray Huard, whose Northeast Turf Hue Inc. installs the artificial FieldTurf.

John Huard is the president of Northeast Turf Hue, Inc.

“The next phase is lights, bleachers, restrooms and concession stands and we have been working on it for quite some time,” said Winkin. “This is as first class as it can be for this kind of facility and, with the phase ahead, we’ll wind up with a Mecca here. It has drawn a lot of interest from people who want to play here.”

The facility is also used for field hockey and football.

Bill Green of WCSH-TV, Channel 6 in Portland will emcee the event. The speakers will include Husson President Bill Beardsley, Bangor Mayor Michael Crowley, Huard; Winkin and Alfond.

Eberhart is new SID at Maine

Julia Eberhart has joined the University of Maine’s media relations office as an assistant manager and sports information specialist.

She is replacing Joe Roberts, who was elevated to the position of athletic development director.

Eberhart will be the primary contact for women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s basketball and baseball. She had been the assistant sports information director at the University of South Dakota, her alma mater.

She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2001 with a B.S. degree in fine arts-mass communications with an emphasis in journalism.

“I am pleased that we have been able to round out our media relations staff with Julia,” said Maine interim athletic director Paul Bubb. “Her experience at the University of South Dakota will be a real asset and her enthusiasm makes her a welcome addition.”

USM inducts five into Hall

The University of Southern Maine inducted five former student-athletes into the Husky Hall of Fame Friday night.

Gorham State tennis standout Don Atkinson (Class of ’69), former USM hockey star Rob Chadwick (’91), two-time Little East Conference basketball Player of the Year Allison Gagnon-Gay (’95), baseball All-American Keith Morang (’87) and two-time Little East Conference basketball selection Katariina Pulkkinen (’93) were honored.

The 2002 Richard A. ‘Doc’ Costello Special Achievement Award, given for service and commitment to student-athletes and athletics, was awarded to Charles Jucius, a long-time coach at Fairfield’s Lawrence High School and college soccer referee.

The David F. Drew III Service Award, given to an individual for volunteer service to the athletic department, was handed out to Bill Dexter, M.D.. Dexter distinguished himself with the service and care he supplied to USM student-athletes.