Orono, Maine -- The community of people you find at the University of Maine is something special. Men's Ice Hockey alum Travis Ramsey has nothing but positive things to say about the UMaine community and how it has helped him get to where he is today.

Travis Ramsey is just one of Maine's many notable hockey alums. Ramsey graduated in 2008 and played ice hockey at UMaine all four years and even became captain his senior year. Not only did Ramsey shine on the ice but had the academics to back it up. He was presented with the 'M Club' Dean Smith Award, which highlights a senior athlete who managed to excel both in the classroom and in their sport. Ramsey understood that having the right mindset to get done everything you need to is very important.

"Coming into college being 21 as a freshman I entered differently than I would've if I went right after my senior year," says Ramsey. "I would've carried on those same habits from when I was a senior in high school where I didn't take schooling as serious. After taking a few years off I was ready to go to school and was excited for it. Academics became a top priority of mine. I always went at it with the mindset of wanting to succeed and I would do the extra studying and things to do what it takes."

One of Ramsey's favorite things about the UMaine community is how there is always someone there to lend a helping hand. The community helps guide you and everyone wants to see you succeed.

"UMaine has a lot of good resources there. There are always people that are there to help if you ask. I remember talking to professors and having that line of communication. They were always understanding if I had an away game or a morning skate during class time, they always let me pull them aside and catch up and help me where I needed it."

There were also some specific skills Ramsey learned while being a student-athlete that can help him in his career now.

"I learned the importance of juggling many things at once. I learned I needed to prioritize a few things at once, the school, hockey, studying, social life, I learned how to manage it all."

All of this hard work and dedication Ramsey put in during his years in school paid off when he immediately signed a contract in the American Hockey League with the Manitoba Moose. After his time spent with the Manitoba Moose Ramsey signed a contract with the St. John's IceCaps. Not only did he get to continue playing the sport he loved at the professional level but Ramsey got to be a part of teams that reminded him of the University of Maine.

"I felt lucky to find a team that was like the UMaine community with the coaching and staff where everyone was loyal and treated me well."

He then went on to play in the Series A Hockey League in Italy to finish up the last two years of his hockey career. Ramsey explained that getting to play in Italy was fun because of how unique the experience was. He got to travel, see new cultures, and get these experiences while playing hockey is something he knew he wouldn't get anywhere else. Ramsey's first year playing with his team they won the league championship for the first time in team history.

"If any athlete gets the chance to use their sport as a tool to go somewhere they've never been before like another country it is definitely a cool experience."

Once hockey was done, Ramsey wasn't sure what was next on his journey. He immediately started to reach out to different University alums and used the connections he made in school to help him find his new career path. He now works as a manager of New Business Development and Sales for Creative Imaging Group where he now is settled down in Portland. Ramsey gets to work in a place with other University of Maine alums where he is also doing something that is reminiscent of his time playing games on the ice.

"I'm in the field business wise of sales now where it is like a competition. You're eager to get out there and bring in new business every single day."

Although his career now has given him a new sense of competition, there is nothing that compares to being a student-athlete at the University of Maine and the memories that are created.

"There's something special about home games at the Alfond where the crowd and feeling just can't be replicated. The band is playing, your parents get to come down and experience it, it's something you can't beat. There's nothing like walking into a UMaine hockey game and the support and feeling you got walking into a home game was the best."

Ramsey has now noticed more and more that he could be anywhere and there are fellow Black Bears all around.

"It's funny, you can meet someone and be talking to them and pretty soon you'll find out you both know someone with a connection to UMaine. It speaks to the community that surrounds Maine."

Being a student-athlete brought Ramsey many memories that he will hold in his mind forever. He wants student athletes now to understand how precious those four years can really be.

"It's going to be the best four years of your life. Things get serious after and you're in this time where you're surrounded by friends and you all share a bond. During this time it's all so special so take it slow and enjoy it."

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.

-UMaine-