ORONO, Maine – UMaine Athletics has received a pledge of $1 million to support the Athletics Facilities Master Plan, part of the University of Maine System Transforms campaign. The generous pledge, made by David ('84) and Nancy Auger ('82) Hunt, will support the capital project at Harold Alfond Arena and provide naming rights to the Hunt Family for the main entrance to the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center.
"I am extremely grateful to the Hunts for their generous pledge," said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the University and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias. "Their support is a wonderful reflection of UMaine's impact on their lives and the university's place in their hearts.
"The Hunts' pledge adds significantly to those of so many dedicated alumni, friends and fans who have joined with the Harold Alfond Foundation to renovate one of UMaine's most iconic venues," Ferrini-Mundy added.
David Hunt, who played ice hockey at UMaine from 1980-84, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1984. His wife, Nancy, is also a graduate of UMaine as she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1982. Following graduation, Nancy and David played a key role in building VIP Discount Auto Center, a family business started by Nancy's father, Thomas O. Auger, into a multi-million dollar business with 50 locations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
While at UMaine, Hunt appeared in 88 games as a defenseman for the men's ice hockey program where he registered seven goals to go along with 13 assists for 21 points.
"Both Nancy and I wanted to give back to the college, where we first met each other, and to the hockey program, which is near and dear to our hearts," David Hunt said. "
"After discussions with Seth Woodcock, Karen Kemble and Coach Barr this past fall, both Nancy and I are confident that our contribution will benefit the hockey program now and, in the future, making the University of Maine Hockey program a premier destination for aspiring hockey players seeking a quality education."
The Hunt pledge will also help UMaine move closer to meeting the $38 million match necessary to leverage the $170 million UMS TRANSFORMS grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation. The Alfond Foundation's commitment to the Black Bears is one of the largest single contributions to a Division I athletics program in U.S. history.
"We are so appreciative of David and Nancy's commitment, not just to their alma mater, but to the ice hockey program and our vision for Maine Athletics," said Jude Killy, director of athletics. "Their generosity is playing a part in truly making a difference, and making anything possible, here at UMaine."
The Harold Alfond Sports Arena and the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center renovations, on schedule to officially open in the fall of 2025, include new locker rooms equipped with modern lighting and the latest technology to create one of the premier home locker room spaces in Hockey East for both the men's and women's ice hockey programs. The teams will also benefit from a new film room, improved areas for strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports medicine, as well as improved branding and a celebration of the history of Maine Hockey.
Connecting the two hockey facilities will be a new concourse entrance, featuring a modern origami building design to complement the highly recognizable Alfond Arena profile. The spacious concourse will include renovated points of sale for tickets and concessions, as well as a new area for the Bear Necessities team store. A new Hockey Hall of Fame will celebrate and preserve the history of Maine Hockey.
The Shawn Walsh Hockey Center will be upgraded with new and renovated offices for the men's and women's head coaches, assistant coaches and support staff will help create a new home for the hockey programs equipped with modern technology to train and care for student-athletes along with state-of-the-art sports medicine and strength and conditioning spaces. New hydrotherapy cold and hot tubs as well as larger and more efficient areas for treatment and injury prevention will improve these areas. A newly designed space with upgraded training equipment and new nutrition areas will also be included in the renovations. The Dexter Lounge will be revamped as one of the signature components of the building. Upgrades to the lounge will allow student-athletes, staff, donors and fans to enjoy events, meetings and gatherings to celebrate Maine Athletics.
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As the state's only Division I program, UMaine Athletics is committed to developing high-character champions filled with pride and integrity who are dedicated to excellence in the classroom and in competition. We strive to unite our community by mirroring the state's deep-rooted commitment to perseverance, hard work and meaningful impact in all of our endeavors. By intentionally fostering a diverse, welcoming environment, Black Bear athletics is dedicated to equipping the next generation of leaders for success after sport.
About the University of Maine: As Maine's only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state's land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine's statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow's leaders. As the state's flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor's, master's, professional master's and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.
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