Joanne Palombo-McCallie once attended the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association events prior to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four, then returned home to be with her children before the games were even played.

This season, McCallie had no choice but to stay. She instead brought her family to Indianapolis, where tonight her Michigan State team meets Baylor for the national championship.

McCallie’s basketball know-ledge, ability to create a sense of school pride among her players, and fiery motivational techniques helped make the University of Maine a nationally-respected Division I program. Five years after leaving Orono, the former Brunswick High School and Northwestern University star is on the verge of reaching the pinnacle of women’s college basketball.

“Can you believe that?” exclaimed Tracy Guerrette of St. Agatha, who played at UMaine from 1998-2002. “I’m excited for her.”

The 39-year-old McCallie, who directed the Bears to six NCAA Tournament appearances in eight seasons from 1992-2000, has many former players pulling for her and the Spartans.

“It’s awesome and amazing what she’s done there,” said Augusta native Amy Vachon, who played at UMaine from 1996-2000. “It’s no surprise to me, but I don’t know if I expected it this quickly, the success that she’s had.”

When McCallie arrived at Michigan State, it was a middle-of the-pack program in the Big Ten. She has utilized some of the same philosophies that helped her succeed at UMaine.

The Spartans don’t seem to always have as much quickness or athletic ability as some of their opponents but McCallie has a knack for inspiring her players to perform at their best.

“She’s one of those coaches who can make you believe you can do anything,” said Bangor’s Rita Sullivan, who played at UMaine from 1991-95. “I was just amazed how incredible she was as a motivator.”

Guerrette sees some similarities between the playing styles of MSU players and some of her former UMaine teammates. However, the Spartans’ determination is an obvious strength.

“When we beat Stanford and teams like that, it wouldn’t be a dominant thing, but we’d find a way to win,” Guerrette said. “It’s the same thing with her team.”

As she did at UMaine, McCallie attracted several of Michigan’s top high school players to MSU. Part of that is developing a sense of state pride and generating excitement.

“She’s just so enthusiastic and knows how to motivate her players and get the best out of them,” said Jamie Cassidy (1996-2000). “She knows what to say, how to get people excited.”

One obvious aspect that hasn’t changed is McCallie’s affection for the 1-2-2 matchup zone. Michigan State plays it religiously, as her UMaine teams did for several years.

In December, Vachon and former Bears Stacey Porrini, Ellen Geraghty, Kelly Stubbs and Julie Veilleux attended MSU’s regular-season game against Connecticut in Hartford. While the faces and uniform colors were different, much remained the same.

“It was so strange to see things that we were doing at Maine: plays that we ran, the pregame warmups and even things [McCallie] says in the huddle,” Vachon said.

While most of the former players are in touch with McCallie only via an occasional e-mail or phone call, Geraghty has witnessed several of the Spartans’ big wins this season. She works at the Athletes in Action international head-quarters in Xenia, Ohio.

“I’m very proud of her, very happy for her and team,” said Geraghty, who will attend tonight’s game. “It has been so much fun being able to watch.”

Geraghty, who spoke with McCallie prior to Sunday’s win over Tennessee, said the coach still speaks proudly of her roots.

“She’s a Mainer through and through,” Geraghty said.