Orono, Maine — The University of Maine, University of Maine Athletics, and the University of Maine System announced today an $80 million supplement in financial support from the Harold Alfond Foundation toward facility improvements benefitting all 17 varsity programs at Maine's only Division I athletic program. 

 

The increase boosts the Alfond Foundation's total commitment to UMaine Athletics to $170 million, representing one of the largest single contributions to a Division I athletics program, and honors Harold Alfond's legacy of support of the athletics facilities master plan under the UMS TRANSFORMS initiative.  

 

"In the tradition of our founder, the Foundation is doubling down on the Black Bears with this additional grant," says Greg Powell, Executive Chairman of the Harold Alfond Foundation. "We are hugely excited to see the progress so far and confident our additional funding will finish the job. Our state's only Division I program and its terrific student-athletes, coaches and fans deserve nothing less." 

 

The Harold Alfond Foundation's historic investment in Maine and its people includes a $320 million commitment to the University of Maine System to bring transformative change to the state's largest educational, research, innovation and talent development asset.  

 

"The Harold Alfond Foundation's continued support of the University of Maine and UMaine athletics is unparalleled,"  says Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President of the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias. "This support will have a long-lasting impact on current and future student-athletes, and the entire UMaine community that will engage with these facilities. These beautiful new venues will provide opportunities for Maine people to gather and build community through athletics and more." 

 

"Harold Alfond was visualizing and supporting greatness for UMaine Athletics before anyone else believed it was possible," says Jude Killy, UMaine Director of Athletics. "We are so grateful that the Harold Alfond Foundation has carried on his philosophy and vision and we give special thanks to Greg Powell, Travis Cummings, and the Foundation Board, for their leadership and support of our athletics programs. The relationship between the Harold Alfond Foundation and the University of Maine is truly one of a kind. President Ferrini-Mundy and Chancellor Malloy have each played significant roles in fostering this special relationship. Their support is deeply valued."

 

"We believe execution of the facilities master plan will help us support the mission of the University of Maine, current and prospective students, as well as our faculty and staff and will add tremendous value to our campus," adds Killy. "The Harold Alfond Foundation investment positions UMaine to fulfill our goal of being a top-5 Division I athletic program in greater New England. Thanks to the Foundation, this is all possible. Now it is our job to go make it a reality."

 

As part of the Harold Alfond Foundation's $80 million investment, the University of Maine has committed an additional $18 million challenge match to the athletics facilities master plan fundraising campaign. To date, $20 million of that overall goal has already been committed in gifts and pledges. The University of Maine is grateful to all of the donors who have gotten us there.

 

"The University of Maine System is grateful for the generous support and enduring vision of the Harold Alfond Foundation, including this historic investment in University of Maine Athletics," says Dannel Malloy, Chancellor of the University of Maine System. "As Maine's only Division I program, the Black Bears are a source of great pride for our entire state and their public facilities in Orono foster opportunity for all Mainers. The modernization enabled by this latest commitment from the Harold Alfond Foundation will ensure UMaine can equitably support the development and success of our student-athletes and Maine youth, and better recruit and retain top talent to our System and state."

 

Several phases of the athletics facilities master plan have been completed including a best-in-class softball facility which enables the University of Maine to host state, regional, and conference playoff contests, a state-of-the-art field hockey complex which helps to elevate UMaine's position in the America East, and a new turf surface on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium. Mahaney Diamond has received new fencing, and a new scoreboard, while the Alfond Arena has been outfitted with a new center hung scoreboard, LED end zone displays, and a new sound system.

 

The additional $80 million from the Harold Alfond Foundation and additional funds raised through gifts and pledges will provide the support needed for upcoming projects including a 13,000 square-foot addition to the Shawn Walsh Center which will include renovated strength and conditioning facilities, new film room, recovery rooms, team offices, expanded locker rooms, team lounges, and a 4,900-square-foot expansion to Alfond Arena.

 

The funding will also assist in the construction of the Morse Arena, the future home of Maine men's and women's basketball, along with improvements to Mahaney Diamond and Mahaney clubhouse; the repositioning of, and installment, of new visiting sideline bleachers at Alfond Stadium along with upgraded football operations areas; and the replacement of the Mahaney Dome with a connector to Memorial Gymnasium. The recently announced New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex, new spaces for field competition, and a supplementary multipurpose turf area will be within the construction timeline. Additional upgrades will also consider Memorial Gymnasium and its student support services.

 

The newest installment from the Harold Alfond Foundation will provide continued support for advancing future facility projects and supporting current renovations. The new complexes and upgrades to present buildings will assist in maintaining excellence in the state's only Division I athletics program, advance gender equity, elevate Maine's ability to host future regional and postseason games, and provide a destination for youth athletes and future university students.

 

"This additional commitment will impact students, student-athletes, fans, and the greater community for years to come," says Jeff Mills, President/CEO of the University of Maine Foundation. "As a result of these new facilities, more people will be attracted to Maine and UMaine. Philanthropy is a powerful agent of change and we are very grateful for this gift and the many others provided by the Harold Alfond Foundation over many years."

 

The planning and design for future phases is underway with a goal of all projects to be completed by summer of 2028. During construction phases, all efforts and special accommodations will be made to maintain continuity for all youth and community events set to take place at UMaine.

 

For more details on all current and future phases of the athletics facilities master plan, please click here.

 

To support the athletics facilities master plan, please visit GoBlackBears.com. 

 

For more information about UMaine and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias, visit umaine.edu and machias.edu, respectively.

 

Information on recent gift from New Balance:  Maine Athletics announces $7 million New Balance gift - University of Maine Athletics (goblackbears.com)

 

Information on recent gift from Phil and Susan Morse: UMaine Alumni Phillip and Susan Morse donate $10m for new athletics arena

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