USM’s Field of Dreams
By anyone’s standards, USM has one of the premier baseball
programs in the nation. Soon, the program will have a field
to match its level of play.
Work has started on a 500-seat stadium in Gorham, complete
with lights, new dugouts, a new press box and a new playing
surface. Thanks to financial support from Maine businesses
and other donors, USM is raising $500,000 to contribute to
the total cost of just over $1 million. The first phase of
the project—the new playing surface—is scheduled to be completed
in time for the Huskies’ home opener on April 5.
“A few years ago we completed the Costello Sports Complex,
one of the finest indoor sports facilities in northern New
England,” said USM Athletic Director Al Bean, who is spearheading
the effort. “We feel it’s now time for a baseball facility
consistent with the Huskies’ level of play.”
As part of the private fund-raising effort, individuals and
businesses can sponsor a seat at the cost of $100 each. Sponsors
can then have their name of choice engraved on a plate that
will remain on the seat for the life of the facility. To date,
100 seats have been sponsored by alumni and friends. Bean
hopes to have all 500 seats sponsored.
Maine-based businesses who are contributing time, expertise
and/or materials to the project include: R.J. Grondin and
Sons of Gorham; USM’s Department of Facilities Management;
Horizon Solutions (formerly Holmes Distributors of Portland);
Jack Bell Construction of Gorham; Maine Natural Gas; Haley
and Aldrich, Inc. of South Portland; Blue Rock Industries;
Harriman Associates of Auburn; DeLuca Hoffman Associates of
South Portland; Hussey Seating of North Berwick; Barker Steele
Company Inc. of Scarborough; and Dragon Products.
Coach Ed Flaherty’s squad has qualified for the NCAA tournament
in each of the last 15 seasons and has advanced to the NCAA
Division III World Series six times. The Huskies won the national
title in 1991 and again in 1997.
For more information, call 780-5430 or visit www.usm.maine.edu/athletics.
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