UMaine Club Softball to compete in national championship

The University of Maine Club Softball Team will compete in the 2023 National Club Softball Association World Series, which will be held May 18–21 in Columbus, Georgia. 

The Black Bears, led by club President Haley Clemons of West Newbury, Massachusetts, will enter the conference with an overall 18–0 record this season, which includes a 15–0 record in the New England — East Conference. The UMaine team is one of 16 collegiate club teams from across the country competing at the World Series. 

“I am so proud to be a part of this team and all of our accomplishments,” Clemons says. “This trip to Georgia is well deserved and is an amazing opportunity for us. All of our hard work has paid off this season and I’m excited to see how we compete in the NCSA World Series.” 

The UMaine Men’s Rugby Team and Men’s Volleyball Team also competed in national championships this spring. 

At the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Championships, held April 13–15, the Black Bears played in men’s Division II and finished with a 1–6 record. In the small college division of the 2023 Collegiate Rugby Championship, held April 28–30, the Black Bears finished with a 3–2 record. 

“This has been the most successful year for the Sport Clubs in the time I have been at UMaine,” says Dale Russell, assistant director of sports clubs and youth programs at UMaine. “Not only did we have three teams qualify for nationals, we also had three others make it to their regional championships. On top of that, the clubs as a whole fundraised and completed more community service than any other year in program history. I am proud of all their accomplishments on and off the field.”