Rick Filighera, who has headed the University of Maine women’s ice hockey program since its inception in 1997, will not be offered a new contract.

UMaine Athletic Director Patrick Nero made the announcement Wednesday, saying the Black Bears need a change of leadership.

“We have spent a great deal of time this past year evaluating our women’s ice hockey program and considering its potential for further growth,” Nero said. “The results of this evaluation have led us to make the decision that it is in the best interest of our quest to improve our program to make a change of leadership to the team by seeking a new head coach.”

Filighera, 36, is under contract with UMaine until June 30, but he will be relieved of his duties effective Friday, April 2. Nero said UMaine will form a search committee, to be chaired by faculty member Mary Rumpho-Kennedy, to find a new coach.

“We thank coach Filighera for his seven years of service to the university and wish him well in his future,” said Nero, who has just begun his second year as UMaine’s AD.

Filighera, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., guided the Black Bears to a combined 86-103-18 record during his seven seasons. This winter, UMaine went 12-16-4 (9-9-2 in Hockey East), losing to Providence 5-2 in the conference semifinals last weekend.

While UMaine has suffered consecutive sub-.500 seasons, Filighera believes the program is on track for more success.

“I feel extremely satisfied in the competitive state this program is in,” Filighera said. “This team has a bright future. I wish Patrick Nero and the women’s ice hockey program success in finding the next leader and hope that this team will emerge as a premier program in college hockey.”

Filighera ranked seventh among active Division I women’s hockey coaches with 86 victories and had the sixth-longest tenure for a head coach. He was 12th in winning percentage in Division I games (86-81-12) at .514.

Filighera was hired at UMaine after coaching two seasons at Rochester Institute of Technology. When he arrived in Orono, the women’s hockey program was just starting and had no scholarships.

Gradually, over a period of five years, the Bears added scholarships up to the NCAA maximum of 18. Despite posting back-to-back winning seasons in 2000-01 and 2001-02, including a school-record 16 wins in ’01-02, UMaine appears to have leveled off since the inception of the Hockey East women’s league in 2002.

Filighera said he is grateful for the chance to head the Umaine program.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the University of Maine and [former athletic director] Dr. Suzanne Tyler for giving me this opportunity to coach the women’s ice hockey team,” Filighera said. “I had a wonderful six years and have grown tremendously as a person.

“I would also like to thank the support staff and numerous others that have shown the care and love for me as a person,” he added. “I also would like to send my appreciation to all the players that have been in our program, especially this year’s team.”

UMF field hockey players feted

The University of Maine-Farmington field hockey team has been honored by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association by placing 12 players on that organization’s Division III National Academic Squad.

Student-athletes who maintain on overall grade point average of 3.30 or higher are eligible for the distinction. UMF also ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation with its combined GPA of 3.38.

“I am extremely proud of their ability to maintain such academic integrity in pursuit of back-to-back conference championships,” said Beavers coach Beth Evans. “This is a great honor for UMF and the field hockey team.”

UMF players earning the honor were Kristy Veazie of Dexter, Jamie Young of Fairfield, Dorice Reitchel of Augusta and New Sharon’s Mary Sinclair. Also recognized were: Mary Berry, Norridgewock; Ashleigh Biette, Freeport; Jessica Deans, Gorham; Sarah Greenwald, Portland; Ashley Thayer, Hallowell; Megan Waterman, Enfield, N.H.; Angela White, Gardiner; and Mary Kate Williams, Raymond.

Almy closes out Wooster career

Sam Almy of Charleston, a senior on the men’s swim team at the College of Wooster in Ohio, recently closed out his career with solid efforts in the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships in Canton, Ohio.

Almy helped the Scots earn sixth-place finishes in the 400 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay. He swam the backstroke leg of the medley relay in 53.91, the second best time in school history, then clocked a 1:49.55 in his segment of the free relay.

Almy wound up 17th in the 100 butterfly (53.63 seconds).

UMFK recognizes soccer teams

The University of Maine-Fort Kent recently honored the members of the Bengal men’s and women’s soccer teams by unveiling banners in the UMFK SportsCenter.

The men’s soccer team went 10-3 with five shutouts while winning the Sunrise Conference championship. The UMFK women’s squad (7-7) finished as the Sunrise runner-up.

The soccer banners hang alongside others marking prior UMFK athletic successes.