Mahaney a pioneer

We were all happy to be treated to another picture of K.C. Jones and Skip Chappelle accompanying the announcement of Skip’s induction into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame at the University of Rhode Island. While no one questions Skip’s credentials – two Yankee Conference scoring championships, a great high school career, continuing the tradition of excellence of the 1952-1953 Old Town teams in the New England High School Tournament, and many serviceable seasons as coach of the University of Maine – Keith Mahaney’s accomplishments as a pioneer of New England basketball were once again overlooked.

The University of Maine finally recognized Keith’s accomplishments a few years ago and retired his number. We all agree this was well overdue. Many who saw Keith play say that his wizardry on the court was matched only by the late Pete Maravich. His unselfish play and dedication to country caused Keith to cut his career short – while on his way to a Yankee Conference scoring championship – to enlist in the service. He certainly was the father of UMaine basketball and paved the way for others like Skip, Rufus Harris, Peter Gavett, Cindy Blodgett, and many other great players to receive the recognition they deserve.

I would ask your readers to contact the New England Basketball Hall of Fame and urge them to give Keith Mahaney, the King of UMaine basketball, his rightful place in the Hall as a true pioneer of New England basketball.

Ted Leadbetter

Bangor

UM fans deserve better

[University of Maine] Black Bear hockey fans are some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable college hockey fans in the country. Many times during the past several years, the coaching staff and players have acknowledged the fans for their support and enthusiasm.

Maine hockey is an elite program playing in an elite conference. Preseason expectations are traditionally lofty with annual team intentions of vying for a national championship.

Fan support is definitely part of a successful program. Ticket purchases, souvenir sales, and financial contributions by hockey fans account for a large percent of the UMO athletic budget.

Because of the support and dedication of Black Bear hockey fans, we deserve a more competitive hockey tournament! To watch Maine play far inferior teams is a great disappointment and an insult. The competition the past five years has been terrible. To watch less competitive teams lose by large margins is not enjoyable and certainly doesn’t help the power rating. If Nebraska-Omaha, a team without tradition, can lure Minnesota and Maine to their tournament, why should we expect less?

UMO athletic administration, please reward hockey fans in the future with a high quality tournament! Pack the Alfond Arena and start the season with a great classic! Play the elite teams and develop a tradition that attracts players and fans to the Alfond.

Phil Pouzol

Orrington

Hockey held hostage

I was the first person in line to get hockey tickets Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. Some of us are willing to do that because Maine hockey tickets are tough to get. The temperature was about 30 degrees and the ticket office was to open at 8:30, but we could willingly accept that.

What we can’t understand is what happened when we got there. A notice in the window that stated that individual game tickets for UNH, Boston University, and Boston College were not available unless we were willing to pay $37 for each “Rival Package” ticket. This package consists of a hockey ticket, a women’s basketball ticket, and a men’s basketball ticket. None of which were discounted.

All of us in line had two major problems with this. Many of us, including myself, had been in contact with the ticket office as recently as this past Thursday and nothing was mentioned. In fact, I was told that there would be “no limitations.” This was done at the last minute without making it know to anyone.

Also, it does not seem right to any of us to blackmail the great Maine hockey fans into having to buy tickets to other events in order to watch the games that involve Maine’s best conference opponents. If there is a problem with attendance at these other events, then address them without penalizing hockey fans. Don’t assume that we are all basketball fans of that we will just pay the extra and become your second-hand ticket sellers in order to recoup our money.

I wonder if the tickets that Maine leaves at these other schools are going to be “rival packages.” I doubt it. Their fans will probably be watching (for $17) what my family couldn’t. Those in charge of ticketing should be ashamed for betraying and misleading the most dedicated of Maine hockey fans.

Jody Theberge

Hermon

No support for YWCA

Our community generously supports the non-profit organizations through the United Way. One, therefore, expects the YWCA, a United Way organization, to offer its services to the citizens of Bangor.

The YWCA has refused to allow the Hurricane Swim Club to rent any pool time for the 2003-2004 swim season. Sixty to 80 swimmers between the ages of 6 and 17 were displaced by the YWCA for no apparent reason, other than to allow for other programming by the YWCA.

The YWCA is a non-profit organization funded in part by the United Way and pool rental fees, which the Hurricane Swim Club had paid $10,000 to $12,000 per year for the past 18 years.

How does a parent explain to the young and old swimmers that the YWCA does not want these children swimming there anymore? Did these dedicated young swimmers do something wrong or offend the YWCA?

We parents financially support local non-profit organizations directly and through the United Way. We deserve a reasonable explanation when we and our children are denied access to an organization which is not supposed to discriminate.

After renting pool time from the YWCA for the past 18 years, we parents were frustrated by being denied permission to present our questions directly to the Board of Directors.

In summary, I am appalled by the manner the executive director and the Board of Directors of the YWCA dismissed the Hurricane Swim Club with its 60 to 80 young swimmers after an 18-year relationship. I personally will not support the YWCA in the future, and will ensure that my United Way contribution will not benefit the YWCA.

Paul Shapero

Bangor

Sox fan disappointed

As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I enthusiastically turned on my TV set to view the first game of the ALCS only to find the Cubs/Marlins game on both Fox and FX. I thought, well maybe the Sox are in a rain delay, and put my remote on high speed going between the two channels.

I knew something was amiss when the score of the Sox/Yankee game came up on the bottom of the screen during the Cubs/Marlins game. I checked the TV listing, called the cable company (no answer) and cussed to myself in disgust. Again, the customers of Pine Tree Cable in Washington County missed out on viewing the Red Sox and, in a year where they are playing better than any year since 1918! Pine Tree Cable, when contacted the next day, stated there was a “scheduling conflict.” No kidding, didn’t they realize this ahead of time?

Since Pine Tree Cable is the only cable franchise in Washington County, many people are being held hostage to their lack of professionalism. I’m going to Direct TV as soon as possible!

Paul W. Poisson

Marshfield

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