Multiple media outlets report on new UMaine athletic facilities, excitement among coaches
The Associated Press, the Bangor Daily News, News Center Maine, the Portland Press Herald, the Penobscot Bay Pilot, The Maine Edge, Maine Public, WMTW (Channel 8 in Portland), WVII (Channel 7), WABI (Channel 5), WGME (Channel 13 in Portland) Q106.5 FM and 92.9 FM The Ticket reported that the University of Maine athletics facilities master plan announced Wednesday includes a new basketball building, three new lighted artificial turf fields and two new domed facilities. The BDN shared renderings of the facilities, and WABI captured the excitement for the plan from the UMaine Athletics community. UMaine Director of Athletics Ken Ralph elaborated on the projects in interviews with WABI, 92.9 FM and 96.3 FM The Big JAB in Portland. Ralph and University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy also spoke with WVOM about the initiative. Basketball coaches Richard Barron and Amy Vachon spoke with the BDN following the announcement of plans to build a new 3,000 seat basketball facility on campus. Women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley, softball coach Mike Coutts, baseball coach Nick Derba and field hockey coach Josette Babineau also talked with the BDN, noting that the upgrades are a recruiting tool and an indication of UMaine’s commitment to athletics. Atherley, Vachon and Dennis “Red” Gendron, head men’s ice hockey coach, spoke with WABI about their excitement for the plans as well. The upgrades will be made with a $90 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation and $20 million in privately raised funds. Learn more by watching a recording of the master plan press conference. Construction Equipment Guide shared the Penobscot Bay Pilot story.