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Figured I would start a thread for this upcoming season as it is likely to be one of the most anticipated in a long, long time. The hiring of Markwood has got a lot of people excited about the possibilities. It was pretty eye-opening to see his emotional media session with him displaying just how excited and happy he was to take on the job of building his alma mater up from the ashes. Hopefully everyone will keep their expectations in check as this will take some time. But, I really feel like if it is ever going to happen, this is the person that was needed to get them there.
I do wonder what was mentioned or promised to him in regards to the new on-campus facility. I have to believe that was a big and important talking point for him and that this project will be getting off the ground sooner rather than later.
It has been a very long time since the buzz around the University of Maine athletic department has been this positive. You have the infusion of Alfond money for major upgrades/new construction coupled with an athletic director that seems to really know how to work the room and make tough decisions. So far he appears to have hit home runs with his hires in football, hockey and now men's basketball. I think he may have already locked Vachon in with an extension but I can't remember that for sure.
Anyway, I am looking forward to the future for the whole department. Chris & Ashley will be huge in pushing the department forward I am sure.
As an aside, it will be interesting to see what he does in the recruitment of the (Bowman) Flagg kids. There is obviously a major relationship there as Ashley and Kelly both played at Maine 4 years apart. They know all about the Blodgett impact. I'm sure Markwood will be able to compare what can happen at Maine to what has happened at other small schools like Vermont with a homegrown talent (Coppenrath) or a Murray State when a talented kid (Morant) forsakes bigger schools.
So, let the UMaine hoops discussion begin...
PS - Jeff, I don't know if you want to bring that press conference in here or not. Your call.
I do wonder what was mentioned or promised to him in regards to the new on-campus facility. I have to believe that was a big and important talking point for him and that this project will be getting off the ground sooner rather than later.
It has been a very long time since the buzz around the University of Maine athletic department has been this positive. You have the infusion of Alfond money for major upgrades/new construction coupled with an athletic director that seems to really know how to work the room and make tough decisions. So far he appears to have hit home runs with his hires in football, hockey and now men's basketball. I think he may have already locked Vachon in with an extension but I can't remember that for sure.
Anyway, I am looking forward to the future for the whole department. Chris & Ashley will be huge in pushing the department forward I am sure.
As an aside, it will be interesting to see what he does in the recruitment of the (Bowman) Flagg kids. There is obviously a major relationship there as Ashley and Kelly both played at Maine 4 years apart. They know all about the Blodgett impact. I'm sure Markwood will be able to compare what can happen at Maine to what has happened at other small schools like Vermont with a homegrown talent (Coppenrath) or a Murray State when a talented kid (Morant) forsakes bigger schools.
So, let the UMaine hoops discussion begin...
PS - Jeff, I don't know if you want to bring that press conference in here or not. Your call.
