Orono, Maine -- Mark Nemec is a man known for working hard on and off the ice and it certainly shows. Nemec is one of UMaine's outstanding hockey alumni who excelled in the rink and also put in work finishing with a degree in mechanical engineering. Nemec also was presented with the 'M Club' Dean Smith Award, presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes at the University of Maine. To be considered for this award, athletes are nominated by their coaches and must have demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic achievement, be of outstanding character and a contributor and leader within their community.

Once graduating from UMaine, Nemec played professional hockey for three years with two of those years being in the East Coast League and the other being a part of the American League. This allowed him to live in Colorado and Florida for periods of time which he loved getting a chance to live in both of these places. Once he was finished with hockey, Nemec moved to Boston where he got a sales engineer job that specializes in building animations systems and he has been a part of the same company for the past five years. Luckily this engineering path is exactly what Nemec always wanted to do.

"Growing up I wanted to be an engineer and I wanted to be involved with buildings and mechanical systems."

After arriving in Boston, Nemec was not exactly sure what would happen for his future but he knew that wanted to put his degree to use. Hockey was in his life when since he was young and now that he finished professionally it was time to put that degree to use. Nemec was ecstatic that after hockey he could now look for jobs involving mechanical engineering. Luckily Boston gave him many opportunities and the company that he works for now is one that has given him all he wanted to find in a job.

"The biggest thing is being in a place that allows you to learn and grow. I feel very fortunate that I have found this place."

The University of Maine was a place that Nemec fell in love with instantly. He could tell from the moment he stepped on campus that this place was going to be his new home. UMaine provided Nemec with the chance to play hockey at the colligate level but they have a remarkable mechanical engineering program as well. Nemec embodies all parts of what it means to be a student-athlete by taking pride in both parts of what it means to be a student and athlete at the same time. He ended with giving some advice to future student-athletes.

"Really embrace being around your teammates, the school, your professors, and being in that environment. Maine was truly a beautiful place to be." 
 

The 'M' Club Dean Smith award is the most prestigious award presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes at the University of Maine. To be considered for this award, athletes are nominated by their coaches and must have demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic achievement, be of outstanding character and a contributor and leader within their community.

Since 102 University of Maine varsity letter winners gathered for the first meeting of the Graduate M Club in 1932, more than 13,000 recipients of the coveted "M" have joined the club. In the ensuing nine decades, each year hundreds of "M" winners pay their dues to become active members of the M Club and to help support current Black Bears.

For questions or to get involved in M Club activities, please contact Ashley Twombly '10, '12G, the Alumni Association liaison with the M Club, at (207) 581-1144.