Heather Ernest and Jamie Cassidy are two players whose names are synonymous with the tremendous success of the University of Maine women’s basketball program.

This season, both former Black Bear frontcourt stars will have their jersey numbers retired by the university.

Ernest, a two-time America East Player of the Year from Temple, finished her career last season with 1,804 points and 1,040 rebounds. Her No. 11 jersey will be retired prior to the Dec. 18 home game against Michigan at Alfond Arena in Orono.

“I think it is very exciting for the women’s basketball program to have someone of Heather’s talent, heart and passion for the game be able to receive that honor,” said UMaine coach Sharon Versyp. “It is an amazing accomplishment to join the great players like Cindy Blodgett and Rachel Bouchard, and is extremely well deserved.”

Cassidy, from Methuen, Mass., was the AE Player of the Year and a WBCA/Kodak District I All-American in 1999. She capped her career with 2,380 points and 938 rebounds. Cassidy’s No. 24 jersey will be retired prior to the Bears’ Jan. 30 contest against Stony Brook.

“This honor for Jamie is well deserved,” said former UMaine coach and current Michigan State coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie. “She elevated the program and allowed us to be a nationally recognized team. Jamie was one of the most talented post players that I have ever coached.”

Ernest, a 6-foot-1 forward who starred at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, is playing professionally in Luxembourg for the club team Residence Walferdang. She was a four-team All-America East pick and ranks third on UMaine’s all-time rebounding list and fifth in scoring.

Cassidy, a 6-foot-3 center, is the No. 3 scorer in UMaine and America East history. She starred at UMaine from 1996-2000, earning all-league honors four times while leading the Bears to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Cassidy spent two seasons in the WNBA with the Miami Sol and played professionally in Germany. She is now the head girls basketball coach at Salem (N.H.) High School.

Cassidy and Ernest join Blodgett (No. 14), Bouchard (43), Liz Coffin (44) and Emily Ellis (40) among UMaine women’s basketball players to have their numbers retired.

Other UMaine athletes and coaches to have their jerseys retired include: late men’s hockey coach Shawn Walsh (Shamrock); men’s hockey players Paul Kariya (9), Scott Pellerin (8) and Jim Montgomery (19); men’s basketball players Keith Mahaney (24) and Skip Chappelle (34); baseball player Bill Swift (8); baseball coaches John Winkin (5) and Jack Butterfield (21); and men’s soccer player Jeff Spring (1).