ORONO – For fans not able to make the trip to St. Louis, the University of Maine Athletic Department is sponsoring a watch party at The Sports Cafe in Orono. The Black Bears will be taking on the Michigan State Spartans in the NCAA Frozen Four at 4 p.m. Thursday.

A send-off rally is also planned for the team at noon today at Memorial Union’s Maine Marketplace. The UMaine band will provide entertainment and speakers will include President Robert Kennedy, Athletic Director Blake James, Coach Tim Whitehead and members of the team.

The Black Bears depart for St. Louis Tuesday evening.

The watch party will feature an ESPN2-TV live broadcast of the game along with prizes for some lucky Black Bear fans in attendance. For more information call The Sports Cafe at 866-4061. The Sports Cafe is located at 19 Mill Street in Orono.