Support needed to keep UMaine coaches

I am writing this letter in hopes it may elicit support to keep the coaches at UMaine. This year in particular has brought great success in all arenas from football to track, soccer to swimming, basketball, baseball and of course, hockey.

I can only speak personally to what I have witnessed with Dr. John Giannini and interactions he, his staff, and team have had with youth in special circumstances. The attention given to these young people impacts them greatly, elevates their self-esteem and makes them feel valued in ways they have never experienced in life before.

Giannini’s genuine concern and compassion is appreciated as it motivates these young people to keep trying as well as work at whatever adversity they may face. He gets it! He represents the university with dignity and class while making time for others, time I’m sure his family would appreciate having. The family support must be special to endure the long hours and giving to others. What better example could we have for future leaders?

How do we keep coaches like coach Giannini and the others? Talk about “brain drain,” isn’t it about time we do what it takes to keep such professional and quality people and end the stepping-stone effect to other major colleges? What would it take to hold on to the positive coaching trend in the athletic department?

The coaching staffs have many recruiting hurdles when trying to attract athletes from urban centers to a rural setting such as Orono. Yet I don’t hear them complaining, just accepting the challenge. I don’t think it is just about money for these coaches but fan support, way of life and being appreciated for a job well done.

I, for one, want to congratulate all the coaches for one of the most successful years I can remember in UMaine sports in recent history. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and professionalism.

Dennis L. Whitney

Holden

Bowdoin, USM players stand out

It’s not every day you get to see Maine women play in a national tourney in any sport, but when you do, it is something special. On March 12, I got to see two of the nation’s best, the University of Southern Maine Huskies play the Polar Bears of Bowdoin College in the NCAA Division III tournament.

The atmosphere of that game rivaled the sixth game of the 1975 World Series. Students and fans were hanging from the rafters and the game was intense. There could be no losers that night for Maine basketball.

Both teams were exceptional. What stood out to me was the number of Maine women players from all over the state on both teams. I couldn’t have been more proud.

The UMaine women’s basketball team also has some of Maine’s finest high school basketball players and it has consistently done so over the years. So, it comes as no surprise to me that they are experiencing great success with great attendance and winning teams. Is there a lesson in there for other Maine teams in other sports?

Doug Curtis Jr.

Rockland

Murano’s team shines

I am once again congratulating Brownville/Milo Recreation Department on another fine Peewee basketball season. Thanks to Dean, Murrel, the coaches, the timekeepers, the referees, and also to the boys and girls.

I especially would like to thank coach Jay Murano, Grant’s Service Station, on his choice to give his players equal playing time. His team only had one win going into the playoffs. Their one win came in a game where coach Murano chose to leave his less experienced players in for the final minutes of the game, even though the other coach wanted to put his “guns” back in the game. What a game to watch!

The Grant’s Service Station boys played hard and never gave up on each other. They finished the regular season in last place but during the playoffs they finished in third place. Thanks boys and coach Murano for a really great season of basketball.

Ginger Weston

Brownville Jct.

Rights need protection

The bear referendum issue in all actuality should be renamed “The Vote Against Freedom Referendum.” The article written by John Holyoke (BDN, Feb. 7) about Cecil Gray, is a prime example.

A person who states that they are an avid hunter and portrays themselves as a master guide but doesn’t believe that today’s legal methods to hunt bears in the State of Maine are ethical. Furthermore, I have no idea what type of guide Mr. Gray is, but I would suggest that he review the long untainted history of the true professional guide and attempt to model himself after them.

All hunters and fishermen of Maine must remain one cohesive group. There is a very important ethic in our great country, and that is the freedom of choice. Those who hunt deer or moose should not be critical of those who fish or hunt bear. If you are of the belief that hunting bear over bait is not right, then I simply say to you, “Don’t do it!”

There are certain hunting activities and outdoor sports that I prefer over others, but I would never be critical of another individual’s preference. This country was founded on many important principles, some of which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I am extremely upset that a special interest group can even attempt to get a referendum passed, which in all actuality is a subversive way to circumvent the Constitution of the State of Maine which has been in effect since 1821.

Article 1, Declaration of Rights, Section 1: “Natural Rights. All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.”

I am adamant that my rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the state and the way I choose to enjoy life, liberty and pursue happiness shall not be violated by any individual or special interest group.

Steven Rozek

Maxfield

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