Blodgett impact already prevalent First-year coach testing her Bears

ORONO – Cindy Blodgett had a powerful impact on many aspiring basketball players from across the state during her stellar career at the University of Maine.

More than 10 years ago, Tanna Ross of Hampden and Kristin Baker of Bingham were among the youngsters who idolized the Black Bears’ All-America guard.

“I was a big fan,” admitted Ross, who is among four freshmen on the UMaine team that gathered for its annual media day Thursday afternoon in Memorial Gymnasium.

“I remember [Alfond Arena] was always packed and everybody loved it,” she said.

This fall, Baker and Ross will be spending plenty of time with Blodgett, a Clinton native. As Black Bears, they have followed in the footsteps of the woman who is now UMaine’s first-year head coach.

“Growing up, everyone always used her as an example and talked about her,” said Baker, a sophomore guard who seemed a bit reluctant to revisit the subject of her childhood basketball heroine.

“It’s awkward talking about it. She’s my coach,” Baker said.

Baker and Ross have subtly continued to pay homage to Blodgett.

At Valley High School, Baker wore No. 14, the same number worn by Blodgett at UMaine. While No. 14 has been retired, Baker sports the No. 4 jersey – the next best thing.

Ross admitted she owns replicas of Blodgett’s jerseys from UMaine and the WNBA’s Cleveland Rockers, along with trading cards and autographs.

At UMaine, Ross will wear uniform No. 5, Blodgett’s number at Cleveland. Coincidence?

“We don’t need to talk about that,” Ross said with a smile.

Blodgett is flattered by the adulation and respect and believes that dynamic may help smooth UMaine’s transition to a new head coach, coaching staff and basketball philosophy.

“I think what it does show is that they have a love for the game, first and foremost, and I think they trust where I’ve been,” Blodgett said. “I think it’s easier to buy into it. It’s hard sometimes when you get a new coach and you don’t know where they’re coming from.”

Kris Younan is UMaine’s only senior this season. Blodgett is her third coach in four years.

Younan is happy to have the chance to learn from the woman who helped put UMaine women’s basketball on the map.

“As a player, from what I heard, she demanded a lot out of herself and as a coach I think she’s going to demand a lot out of us,” said Younan, who returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out three weeks with a broken toe.

“We have goals that we want to reach and she’s been there plenty of times, so I think that she will definitely be able to help us get there,” she added.

Ross, Baker and the other players are learning to appreciate Blodgett the coach. She appears committed to the same relentless pursuit of excellence that made her the most prolific player in UMaine history.

“She’s always wanted perfection,” Ross said. “It’s the key to everything she does.”

The players have seen a similar intensity in preseason practices. While the Bears are limited by NCAA rules to eight hours of full-team practices per week, they have been subjected to grueling early morning conditioning workouts five days a week.

“Very intense,” is how Ross described the sessions. “She’s pushing us, testing our limits.”

Blodgett said she was disappointed with the preseason fitness level of some of her players and wants to make sure they know what their level of commitment must be to be of championship caliber.

“You can tell how hard she worked by what she puts us through,” Baker added.

Blodgett believes she can eventually parlay her playing and coaching experiences into a winning mind-set at UMaine.

“I don’t know if they want to be pushed, but I’m going to push them,” she said. “I’ve been somewhere they haven’t been, so I feel like I’m going to be able to instill this in them.”

The Bears begin regular practices Oct. 12 with a “Hardwood Hoopla” event at Alfond Arena. UMaine opens its season Nov. 9 at Clemson.