Future now trumps past for Blodgett

Wednesday night’s announcement that Cindy Blodgett is coming home to coach the University of Maine women’s basketball team has excited much of that program’s fan base.

The Clinton native remains one of the state’s most recognizable faces nine years removed from an All-American stay on the Orono campus, and 13 years after a storied high school career at Lawrence of Fairfield, where she led the Bulldogs to four consecutive Class A state championships.

When most Mainers think of Cindy Blodgett, they see one of their own, someone who overcame the challenge of low aspirations that plagues this state through sheer will, work ethic and talent to emerge as a basketball phenomenon.

They also see someone who’s not already looking for her next coaching job. They see someone who deserves this chance.

In the short term, this also is a much-needed public-relations coup for the beleaguered University of Maine athletic department.

It’s been a trying few months for Blake James and Co.

There were the mixed messages sent with the department’s tepid initial response after former women’s basketball coach Ann McInerney and an assistant ran into off-the-court difficulties last fall, and McInerney’s subsequent “resignation” several months later after the Black Bears’ second straight losing season.

Then there was the controversial decision to change radio broadcast partners from a Bangor station owned by Maine alumnus and benefactor Stephen King to a local affiliate of an out-of-state media conglomerate.

In hiring Blodgett, the department took another chance by picking someone with just three years of assistant coaching experience.

And the fact Maine will pay its rookie head coach $105,000 a year – on top of up to $100,000 McInerney will be paid next year as a provision of her “resignation” – while UM students face a possible 12.6 percent tuition increase this fall may be tough for some to swallow.

But Blodgett’s overall basketball background, her passion for the game and her commitment to the university and the state made her selection over three other legitimate finalists a viable option.

Did she have the best coaching resume of those considered for the job? No.

Was she the best fit at this place and time? Perhaps, because the program was in dire need of an energy infusion, and in terms of competitive energy few can match Blodgett’s track record.

That energy reservoir will be tested as Blodgett seeks to restore the program’s proud tradition, initially with a young, inexperienced roster.

Whether Blodgett is successful won’t be known for years, at least through the duration of her initial four-year contract to guide the Black Bears.

People paid to watch Blodgett play basketball, and to a lesser degree they’ll pay to watch her coach basketball, at least for a while. Such is the good will she engendered during her previous University of Maine life, a life best remembered by many for her unique blend of success and humility.

But Blodgett’s ability to lead Maine back to the NCAA tournament will hinge not on memories, but on the future.

Ultimately it will come down to her ability to communicate on the practice court and in game situations, and more importantly to convince recruits that Maine is still a top destination for high school stars from this state and beyond, a place where they can realize their own basketball dreams.

Just as Cindy Blodgett did.

Ernie Clark may be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net