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You know spring has arrived at the University of Maine when the temperature hits a pinch above 40 degrees and shorts, flip-flops and white legs start wandering out from the dorms.
For five students on campus, though, the shorts never really get tucked away for the winter.
At UMaine, the arrival of hockey season comes with the sight of topless blue and white painted guys running to Alfond Arena in sub-freezing temperatures. And, yes, they are usually wearing shorts, as well.
This year’s Naked Five are Hans Bretton – “M”, Ethan Brush – “A”, Rustin Lovewell – “I”, Nick Pare – “N” and Kyle Mitchell – “E”, have rightfully taken their place among the Maine-iacs, they don their own variation of the blue and white paint that isn’t the easiest to remove.
“We go to Wally World and buy the acrylic ‘not for use on skin’ stuff mostly because it’s cheap and we’re all poor college kids,” said Pare. “We usually mix in shampoo to help it come off, but flour to keep it from running.”
After the paint is done drying and they are ready to head to the arena, they are faced with their most daunting task of the evening: the sprint through the elements to Alfond.
“Most people don’t realize we run to the game like that, and yeah it’s cold.” said first-year letter Mitchell.
Added Pare, “In my four years I’ve run in rain, sleet, snow and minus-45 degree wind chills, but it’s always worth it once we get inside the Alfond and begin to thaw out.”
Although they didn’t have to face any inclement weather in Boston for the Bears’ Hockey East semifinal game on Friday, they did have to deal with conflicting rules. After entering BankNorth Garden and reaching their seats, tournament officials allowed them to take off their shirts and show their letters. However, the arena security didn’t agree.
“One person would tell us to take our shirts off, and then a security guard would tell us to put them on,” said substitute “E” Frank Platt. “That happened a few times until armed guards told us to put our shirts on or they’d boot us out.”
Regardless of their popularity among Bostonians, the Naked Five have become one of the great UMaine hockey traditions with their signature lap around the Alfond after every Black Bear goal.
“I think the best part is the kids because they come up and high five us and tell us how cool we are,” said Platt. “When we run around the Alfond a lot of people stick their hands out and we slap them on the way by.”
Added Mitchell, “It’s a rush to have a chance to get the crowd cheering and make them laugh and go wild.”
Most importantly, the Naked Five help make the environment of the Alfond what it is best known- for energy enthusiasm and loyalty and it shows on the ice.
