It’s a long way from Orono to Starkville, Mississippi.

For the University of Maine football team, it will be well worth the trip.

UMaine announced Friday the Black Bears will play a road game next season at Division I-A and Southeastern Conference member Mississippi State.

UMaine athletic director Patrick Nero said Mississippi State has guaranteed UMaine $300,000 to play the Sept. 18 game at 55,000-seat David Wade Stadium. UMaine should net approximately $250,000, after expenses, toward its overall athletics budget.

“What it helps offset is some of the increased scholarship costs we’ve had [in football] the last few years,” Nero said of UMaine’s commitment to provide the full Division I-AA compliment of 63 scholarship equivalencies.

Football’s annual budget of $1.6 million, which includes more than $1 million in scholarship money, is by far the largest among UMaine sports.

Coach Jack Cosgrove, who in recent years has expressed concern about UMaine’s readiness to take on the challenge of playing a I-A team, realizes it is a necessary step for his program.

“You look and all the teams in our league are doing it,” Cosgrove said, referring to eight Atlantic 10 schools that played I-A games in 2003.

“And, with the flat-out realization about what it costs to run a I-AA program, it’s a chance to supplement our income.”

The financial benefits are crucial in helping UMaine offset the cost of football in tough financial times for the athletic department, according to Nero.

“It is a necessity,” said Nero, who predicted a I-A game likely will become an annual event.

“We had our best year ever in football ticket sales, but this one game will make more money than a whole year in ticket sales,” he explained.

While the challenge of taking on a team with I-A resources, talent, and a huge home crowd is substantial, those very qualities make the game appealing.

“I think it will be a positive experience,” Cosgrove said. “Our players haven’t liked hearing me say we didn’t want to play a I-A team [in the past]. They would love the opportunity to go into an environment at an SEC school and play that type of game.”

The Bears haven’t faced a I-A opponent since a 40-17 loss at Rutgers in 1991. UMaine also dropped a 44-3 decision at Hawaii in 1990.

UMaine went 7-5 last season, including a 5-4 Atlantic 10 record, while Mississippi State struggled to a 2-10 mark. The Bulldogs were ranked 111th in the final Sagarin Ratings, while UMaine was close behind at 122.

Four Atlantic 10 teams finished with a power rating higher than Mississippi State.

“It’s not LSU [Louisiana State University], is it?” Cosgrove chuckled when asked whether he might be able to convince his Bears they have a shot at beating the Bulldogs.

The step up is one the Bears will embrace.

“We’re challenging ourselves,” Cosgrove said. “Montana and Mississippi State certainly weren’t on our horizon four or five years ago. We’re going up against the big boys now.”

Playing a big-time school at an exciting venue also has recruiting benefits. And it should help players and coaches alike work to bring their performances to new heights.

The timing also may work out well for UMaine, which is hoping to wind up with an open date the week after the MSU game. The 2004 schedule has not yet been finalized.

“All those playoff teams, maybe that’s why they’re at the top of the I-AA standings, because they harden themselves with a game like this,” Cosgrove said.

“If we get better through these efforts, the program improves and success comes with that,” he said.

UMaine dinner has $10,000 prize

The University of Maine athletic department is offering a $10,000 grand prize as part of a “Super Suppah” scheduled Feb. 8 at the Wells Conference Center on the Orono campus.

Maine humorist Tim Sample and master chef Cheryl Wixson will host the event, which is a fund raiser for the Black Bear Club Scholarship Fund. The fund assists UMaine student-athletes in covering their educational costs.

More than $10,000 in other prizes have been donated to be given away at the event, including a diamond ring, a fishing trip, an Old Town Canoe, and $500 in Governor’s Restaurant gift certificates.

Tickets to the “Super Suppah” are $275 each and only 100 will be sold. They may be purchased from Black Bear Board of Advisors members or by calling the Black Bear Club at 581-1130. The event begins with a 5 p.m. social hour, followed by dinner at 6.

Hamel is Husson softball coach

Charlie Hamel, who spent several years coaching at the University of Maine-Presque Isle, has been named the softball coach at Husson College in Bangor.

Hamel, a graduate of Old Town High School and Columbia College (Mo.), previously directed the UMPI baseball program for five seasons and served one year as the Owls’ softball coach.

The likeable Hamel, who retired from the Army in 1986 after 20 years of service, also did a five-year stint as an assistant men’s basketball coach at UMPI and assisted with the baseball squad for one season.

“A lot of great things are happening at Husson and I am extremely happy to become a part of the Husson community,” Hamel said. “We want the softball program to be a continued part of the school’s overall success.”