In writing my story about transfers this week I realized that USM – not the University of Maine – should be the only Division I school in state.
Sure, I understand the implication of such a move. The northern two-thirds of the state (where I grew up) would have nothing to do, no one would go to school in Orono and Pat’s Pizza would probably go out of business.
But it makes sense.
For one, Portland is a much larger market than Orono.
Just take a look at a map sometime and it’ll be crystal clear. With 250,000 plus people living in the Casco Bay Watershed and even more living to the south and west, the southern part of the state could more than support a Division I sports program.
The success of the Sea Dogs and the Pirates is no fluke. This part of the state loves sports and having local men and women filling up the rosters would entice even more people to come out and watch.
Just ask the kids I interviewed this week why they came to USM: location, location, location.
Signing up to play sports somewhere involves more than just scanning the facilities and scoping out the course offerings. Playing a Division I sport is a 12-month a year commitment.
Where do you think athletes, especially those coming from more urban areas, are going to want to spend their time? On the ever-aging streets of Bangor or in the youthful scene that is Portland?
Having D-1 sports in this part of the state could be a huge recruiting tool. And maybe, just maybe, having the lone D-I program in this part of the state would allow more high-profile athletes from Maine to stay put.
Look at some of the best athletes from Maine and where they’ve ended up. Obviously some of them are big fish in a small pond and they want to take their game elsewhere, but there are still plenty of athletes who aren’t good enough to onto schools like Maryland (Nik Caner-Medley) or Vanderbilt (Ryan Flaherty), but it’s not out of the question to think a D-I school in Portland couldn’t get the likes of Bryant Barr (the standout basketball player from Falmouth who plays at Davidson) or Flaherty’s counterpart at Vanderbilt Andrew Giobbi (Deering High School).
There was a time – when the mills were pumping out pulp and paper in that part of the state and the times were good – that the University of Maine had some legit teams. Trips to the College World Series and games against big time schools were realities.
But those days are gone, with the exception of the hockey program, and the only people suffering are those who head to Orono to play sports.
Last year, UMaine sports put up a big goose egg.
Not a single athletic program finished with a record above .500. Some say it was just a down year, but others like me think it’s a clear indication that the region’s best athletes just don’t want to hang out at the 103 Ultra Lounge (formerly Ushuaia) anymore.
Obviously, there are major roadblocks in moving Division I sports to Gorham (or Portland).
First and foremost, the facilities in Gorham would have to be updated, revamped and fit to accommodate the needs of Division I sports.
But D-I sports can be pretty lucrative too — especially when you fill the Alfond Arena every time the hockey team’s in town. That revenue could easily be invested in new sports facilities. And some of the facilities we have now would be more than enough to house D-I teams. Our baseball facility, the field house and even Warren Hill gym are all adequate for D-I sports.
Then there’s the issue that USM is a pretty non-traditional school and that collegiate sports aren’t always on the radar of the student body.
But turn that rationale on its head.
A more notable athletic program would almost definitely attract more traditional students to our school, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
And as my research led me to discover, USM is already pulling in D-I caliber athletes without the title. People like Jamaal Caterina and J.J. Forcella are picking USM over UMaine.
Baseball players Collin Henry (Penobscot), Chris Burleson (Portland) and Anthony D’Alphonso (Westbrook) all have D-I talent, but they’re not in Orono.
What does that tell you?