Jared Newgard didn’t expect to talk about being shirtless at a job interview.
But when the junior mechanical engineering major from Winslow, Maine, sat down with a potential employer, the conversation quickly turned to a line on his resume: Naked Five.
“They recognized me,” Newgard said. “They asked about it.”
What might have been a passing detail instead became a conversation about leadership and follow-through, qualities that extend beyond the arena.
At the University of Maine, the Naked Five are a shirtless, painted fixture of Alfond Arena and one of the university’s most recognizable game-day rituals. Beyond the spectacle, the students behind it are high-achievers, balancing demanding coursework with career ambitions in fields like engineering, health care and environmental science.
Newgard, this year’s alternate captain and the only non-senior in the group, helps carry the tradition forward, representing both the energy of Black Bear hockey and expected academic discipline.
His experience isn’t unique.
Caleb Canders of Brewer, Maine, the group’s captain, is a senior studying zoology with minors in psychology and neuroscience who will attend dental school after graduation. The Naked Five also came up during his application process.
“It’s something that shows leadership and involvement,” Canders said.
Jacob Bentley of Vassalboro, Maine, is a senior electrical engineering major who plans a career in substation design.
Jason Wickett of Hermon, Maine, is a senior nursing major who plans to become a cardiothoracic surgery nurse practitioner.
Grady Gobeil of Bourne, Massachusetts, is a senior marine biology major who aims to work as a fisheries biologist.
By day, they move between labs, clinicals and coursework. By night, they step into one of the most visible roles at UMaine hockey games.
“It’s about representing the university in every way,” Canders said. “In the classroom and in the stands.”
The group traces its roots to the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. For more than 30 years, membership has been passed down to students who demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm and school spirit.
A typical gameday
Inside the Alfond, their presence is immediate and unmistakable.
The horn sounds. The crowd roars. Within seconds, the five students are on their feet, painted bright under the arena lights, moving along the concourse as fans reach out for high-fives.
They follow a set routine, lining up and spelling out “M-A-I-N-E” as the crowd joins in, repeating the pattern each time Maine scores.
“M” carries the cowbell.
“A” wears orange headgear.
“I” carries a bag with their phones.
“N” wears an old Maine hockey hat.
“E” has no signature item (by design, they joke).
“It’s a really cool feeling,” Canders said. “To have that kind of support from the community.”
Outside the arena, their schedules leave little downtime.
“It takes commitment,” Newgard said. “You have to manage everything and still show up.”
They also connect with the community beyond game day, volunteering at events around Orono and interacting with fans outside the stands.
After one game, as the arena emptied, a woman approached the group and asked for a photo. Afterward, she hugged one of the members and told them it had made her day.
“It’s moments like that you remember,” Canders said.
For the students, those interactions are what make the experience meaningful, creating a connection that extends beyond the game itself.
As this year’s group prepares to graduate, a new group will step in, continuing a practice that has lasted more than three decades.
For Canders, the goal is simple:
“We’re just trying to keep it going,” he said.
Contact: David Nordman at david.nordman@maine.edu
