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Saturday night flames lit up the parking lot near Fogler Library as students, faculty and community members gathered around. The event served to warm up an otherwise chilly evening. University of Maine hockey fans listened to the alternative rock of Smokin’ Can and ate the chili and hot dogs that the university supplied.
The scene was quite a different picture than 1999′s fire in front of Hart Hall, which was started by excited fans and led to property destruction, rioting and arrests.
This time around, the administration lit the match.
The planning and safety measures that went into Saturday night, regardless of the outcome of the game, is to be commended. The events of the 1999 win set an example of what over-zealous fans are capable of, as did the recent events at the University of Maryland and other schools fortunate enough to win national championships.
By having the bonfire, band and food for students, the administration recognized its mistake of underplanning in 1999 and learned from it. They gave hockey fans something to do following an emotional evening, with the safety of the university community in mind.
Granted, the outcome of Saturday night’s title match with the University of Minnesota did not equal the accomplishments of 1999. But the university certainly took a large step forward from overturned cars and burned dorm furniture to a controlled gathering that fans, community members and the team can be proud of.
While university officials deserve credit for planning peaceful activities, UMaine students deserve equal amounts of credit for not taking out their frustration on campus property in violent ways. In Minnesota, officials took a different approach and arrested 25 people for rioting. This positive experience can serve as a benchmark for future celebrations when UMaine athletic teams reach new plateaus in their respective sports.
Bangor Daily News