Mike Collar hasn’t even completed his junior season at the University of Maine, but already he has earned a spot in the school’s baseball record book.

The righthander from Scarborough made Black Bear history Saturday when he became the school’s all-time shutouts leader with seven. Collar set the mark by virtue of a four-hitter in UMaine’s 7-0 America East victory over Albany.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder surpassed former UMaine pitchers Scott Morse (1984-86), Bert Roberge (1974-77), and Martin McHale (1908-10), each of whom posted six career shutouts.

Collar has been outstanding again this season, registering a 7-2 record and a 2.77 earned run average. He boasts a career record of 23-6 (.793) and is now within four victories of tying the school record of 27 held by South Portland native and former major leaguer Bill Swift (1981-84).

Last season, Collar set the school record for consecutive complete games with eight. This spring, he has exhibited superb control as evidenced by his strikeouts-to-walks ratio of 12.8-to-1. He has struck out 77 while issuing only six walks in 61 2/3 innings.

Collar, the America East Rookie of the Year and a freshman All-American in 2001, was an All-America East first-teamer and an All-New England selection last season.

Collar has helped lead UMaine to a 31-13 record this season. It marks the third consecutive season coach Paul Kostacopoulos’ Bears have eclipsed the 30-win plateau. UMaine last accomplished that feat by winning 32 or more games from 1988-91.

He leads the league in strikeouts, is tied for the lead with the seven wins, ranks second in innings, and is third in ERA.

Maine football releases schedule

Kickoff for the 2003 UMaine football season is still more than four months away, but the Black Bears are already preparing in earnest to make a run at their third consecutive Atlantic 10 championship.

Coach Jack Cosgrove and his staff are putting the UMaine squad through its third week of spring football, which culminates with the annual Blue-White game Saturday at 5 p.m. on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium in Orono.

Counting the scrimmage, the Bears will be on the field for 15 spring practices, the maximum allowed under NCAA rules.

On Tuesday, UMaine announced its 2003 schedule, which includes 12 games over a span of 13 weeks. The Bears’ slate includes three NCAA Division I-AA playoff teams from last season, including an Aug. 30 opener against perennial national power Montana in Orono.

UMaine’s other nonleague foes include a Sept. 13 meeting against Florida International at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland and a Nov. 8 road game at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member Morgan State in Baltimore.

The Bears open their A-10 schedule on the road Sept. 6 at Hofstra and have home contests against Massachusetts (Sept. 20, Family & Friends Weekend), Richmond (Oct. 4, Homecoming), James Madison (Oct. 25) and Villanova (Nov. 15). Other conference road games are set at William & Mary (Sept. 27), Northeastern (Oct. 18), Delaware (Nov. 1), and New Hampshire (Nov. 22).

Nori joins Bears football staff

Mark Nori, a two-time All-Big East offensive lineman at Boston College, has replaced Matt Griffin as the offensive line coach at UMaine.

Griffin left Orono to become the head coach at Tennessee-Martin and took UMaine assistant Mickey Fein with him.

Nori played with three NFL teams and is looking to implement some new techniques and concepts while working with the Bears’ veteran offensive front.

“We’re excited to have Mark,” said Cosgrove. “Obviously, the number one thing you look at on his resume is the fact that he has been at a big-time college program in Boston College and spent some time in the NFL. So his experience is something that gets your attention.”

Jackson named hockey captain

Todd Jackson, a junior left winger, will captain the UMaine men’s hockey team next season.

Defensemen Prestin Ryan and Jeff Mushaluk will be the assistant captains.

Like Jackson, Ryan will be in his final season. Mushaluk has never played a minute at Maine. He was a redshirt this past season after transferring from Lake Superior State. He will be a sophomore.

“Todd has definitely established himself as a leader,” said Ryan. “And everyone saw how hard Jeff worked. He took full advantage of his year off. It meant a lot to us. Everyone looks up to him.”

Ryan was honored to be selected as an assistant by his teammates, saying, “I’m excited about it, without a doubt.”

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

2003 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

AUGUST

30 ? Montana

SEPTEMBER

6 ? at Hofstra*

13 ? Florida International, at Portland

20 ? Massachusetts*

27 ? at William & Mary*

OCTOBER

4 ? Richmond*

11 ? Open

18 ? at Northeastern*

25 ? James Madison*

NOVEMBER

1 ? at Delaware*

8 ? at Morgan State

15 ? Villanova*

22 ? at New Hampshire*

*?Atlantic 10 game