Blodgett should be allowed to grow as coach

I feel insulted by the standards the university has applied to firing of Cindy Blodgett. They were careful to say no taxpayer money has been used. I feel a moral approach should be applied to the coaches and players.

These programs are not a launching point for professional sports or make financial contributors happy by a flow of constant wins. Their contributions should be selfless as are fans of UMaine sports. Cindy needs to be allowed to grow as a coach just as she has enabled her team to do.

Bob Bailey

Brewer

Blodgett could pass on love of game to players

For Ms. Cindy Blodgett who loves the game: Love the game for the pure joy of accomplishment. Love the game for everything it can teach you about yourself. Love the game for the feeling of belonging to a group endeavoring to do its best. Love the game for being involved in a team whose members can’t wait to see you do your best. Love the game for the challenge of working harder than you ever have at something and then harder than that. Love the game because it takes all team members to give it life.

Love the game because at its best, the game tradition will include your contributions. Love the game because you belong to a long line of fine athletes who have loved it. It is now your legacy. Love the game so much that you will pass on your love of the game to another athlete who has seen your dedication, your work, your challenges, your triumphs… and then that athlete will, because of you, love the game.

Samantha McGuire

Bangor

Abbott’s act showed lack of respect

The new athletic director at the University of Maine, Steve Abbott, showed no class in the way he performed his first act as director. The manner he informed the press that he fired one of the University of Maine’s greatest athletes showed no class or understanding of how the university operates.

The worst part of his “firing Cindy” (without cause) was his statement that the university could  pay off her contract for next year. He could get it from a private source ($109,772). Being a “Harvard Man” and not a “Maine Man” I suppose money is easy to access.

The part that bothers me most is the way Steve Abbott administered the firing of one of the state of Maine’s and University of Maine’s greatest and most respected athletes. He showed no respect and should be admonished.

Nat Crowley Sr.

UM Class of ’42

Former Maine Athlete/Coach

Stockton Springs

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