At a rally in Orono on Wednesday, the University of Maine pep band bellowed a version of DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win.”
And that’s exactly what Black Bears fans are hoping from the men’s ice hockey and basketball teams as they compete in the playoffs this weekend.
Maine’s public universities and the state in general have also found themselves at the center of a national debate about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. That has included some significant uncertainty about federal funding.
With that backdrop, UMaine sports teams are delivering some much needed excitement at just the right time.
The men’s hockey team, ranked in the top five nationally, is heading into the Hockey East tournament this weekend with a home game on Saturday. And the men’s basketball team has put together its best season in decades and will be playing for a chance to go to its first-ever NCAA tournament against Bryant University in Saturday’s America East championship game.
Members of the university community convened for the Wednesday pep rally to celebrate the men’s ice hockey team heading into the playoffs, and the basketball team was recognized as well following Tuesday night’s seismic win at Vermont. The rally had been scheduled before the basketball team’s relentless defense powered them to the semifinal win.
The UMaine pep band lived up to its name during the festivities, setting a raucous tone that the Black Bears fans will look to carry over to Saturday’s game action.
Among the crowd was Andi Bowen, UMaine’s director of residence life.
“We needed this. I would say that given the current political climate and some of the stuff that has really been hitting UMaine specifically, people’s spirits have been low,” Bowen said. “This is what we needed.”
Bowen said that goes for both the men’s hockey and basketball teams ahead of their Saturday games.
“Anything happy right now,” Bowen added. “Everyone’s just like, ‘Please give us something happy!’”
Members of the Black Bears hockey team were happy with the reception they received Wednesday, and the support they’ve received throughout the season at the Alfond Arena each home game.
“Just being here is so special. You can feel the energy that the fans created,” senior forward hockey player Harrison Scott said during the rally. “You can feel the energy all around. That’s what we’re going to need this weekend. You guys are a part of this journey. You guys are part of this team here. And you guys show up for us, we’ll show up for you.”
Senior forward Nolan Renwick similarly credited the fans for the energy they’ve brought throughout the season. Both he and Scott are alternate captains on the team.
“There’s a reason that they call you the best fans in college hockey, and we thank you guys so much for your support,” Renwick told the rally crowd.
“We need you guys to cheer loud on Saturday. You guys bring the energy, we’ll bring the energy too,” he added.
Top university and UMaine system officials were on hand as well, with UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and system Chancellor Dannel Malloy praising the hockey team for the excitement they bring to campus and the entire state.
“You just have got to know that you have an excited campus here,” Ferrini-Mundy told the Black Bears. “It’s such a bright spot for us right now, what you are all doing. And I just want to thank every one of you.”
Malloy noted that he mentioned the hockey team during a speech before the Maine Legislature earlier this week.
“I have to tell you that it’s not just your university that’s proud of you,” Malloy said. “People throughout the state are talking about you.”
And as for the reception from students? As the kids might say, the vibes are good.
“You can feel it in the classroom too, everyone’s really excited,” said sophomore Molly Graham after the rally.
She and fellow sophomore Sydney Dayken and Amelia Pillis are all members of the student section group that supports the hockey team at home games.
“Everyone’s so hyped,” Pillis added.
Dayken said the excitement was a combination of having one of the top hockey teams in the country, along with the men’s basketball team making their first America East final in a long time.
“So having those two on the same day is going to be electric.” Dayken said.
