When the Moose hit the court for the 2025-2026 season opener, they’ll do it in style with new alternate uniforms honoring Â鶹APP 60 years of community, excellence, and opportunity.

Women’s Basketball Head Coach Heath Cowan said the anniversary brings special meaning to the season. “As a coach, it is truly a privilege to help lead a basketball team that is a part of the 60th Anniversary Celebration here at UMA,” Cowan said. “This milestone not only highlights our rich history and tradition but also brings us together as a community celebrating our past and looking forward to the future.”

For Men’s Basketball Head Coach Steve Carey, the home opener combines personal enthusiasm with school pride. “This story is filled with excitement as it unfolds! The moment our schedule was released, this date was the first one I marked on my calendar,” Carey said. “Having our home opener against the college where I previously coached, now our conference rival, adds an excitement layer to the event. On top of that, we’re celebrating Â鶹APP 60th Anniversary, which makes it even more significant! I feel truly fortunate to lead this team and showcase the energy and passion that our new team culture will bring to the program. Get ready for an incredible night of basketball!”

Fans can join the celebration as the Moose face CMCC at the Augusta Civic Center on Wednesday, November 5. The night will include giveaways, fan activities, and the long-awaited reveal of the new 60th Anniversary uniforms.

Get your antlers up, Moose Nation! Let’s fill the stands and celebrate Â鶹APP 60 years of community, pride, and transformation together.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 5th for the UMaine Augusta Moose epic home opener at the Augusta Civic Center! This is not just any game; it’s a showdown against our fierce conference rivals, the CMCC Mustangs.

Game Day Details:

• Women’s Game: 6 PM
• Men’s Game: 8 PM

Admission:

• STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, & ALUMNI GET IN FREE!
• Adult – $5
• Non-UMA Student – $3
• 12 & under – Free
• 65 & Older – Free

Special Perks for UMA Students

Calling all UMA students! We’ve got something special just for you! The first 50 students through the door will receive “Moose Bucks” for FREE concessions! That’s right—enjoy food, snacks, and drinks on us while you cheer on the Moose!

Halftime Fun and Exciting Giveaways

Wait, there’s more! During halftime, we’ll have fun games and exciting giveaways for our fans. This is your chance to win some cool Moose Swag!

Commemorate 60 Years

In celebration of UMA’s 60th Anniversary, we’ll be showcasing our special anniversary alternate jerseys! Be the first to see the new colors!

Get Your Antlers Up, Moose Nation! This home opener isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration of community, spirit, and Moose pride. Let’s fill the stands, paint the arena blue, and get loud for 2025-26 Moose Basketball season.

On Monday, February 10, 2025, we will honor our UMA Moose players in their final season of competition. Recognition ceremonies will take place 15-20 minutes before the start of each game.

đź“… Game Schedule:

• 6:00 PM – UMA Moose Men’s Basketball vs. NHTI
• 8:00 PM – UMA Women’s Basketball vs. NHTI

🎟️ Admission Details:

• Free: Children 12 and under, and all UMA students, staff, and faculty
• $3: Ages 13-17 and 65+
• $5: Ages 18+

Come show your support for our senior players and enjoy an exciting night of basketball! 🏀 See you at the Augusta Civic Center!

The Baseball and Softball teams have made a significant mark in their inaugural season, capturing thrilling victories that will be remembered in the program’s history.

On September 13, 2024, the UMA Softball team faced off against the CMCC Mustangs in a nail-biting contest that showcased their resilience and determination. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams leaving it all on the field. Ultimately, the Moose emerged victorious with a final score of 12-11, securing a memorable win in their first season. The victory highlighted the team’s fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season.

Just over a week later, on September 22, 2024, the UMA Moose Baseball team joined the celebration of historic wins by defeating the SMCC Seawolves in another tightly contested matchup. The Moose triumphed with a score of 4-3, showcasing their competitive edge and strategic gameplay. The win marked a significant milestone for the baseball program, further solidifying their presence in the YSCC Conference.

Both teams have demonstrated remarkable growth and skill as they navigate their inaugural season. With these historic victories, the UMA Moose are not only building a legacy but also fostering a strong sense of community and pride among players, coaches, and fans alike.
This was a write up that got pushed due to so many events and games taking place.
But I think it’s pretty cool they both have won so early in the program.

The UMA Athletic Department is excited to announce the 16th Annual Athletic Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, 2024 at Natanis Golf Course, 735 Webber Pond Rd, Vassalboro, Maine. The public is invited to participate in the tournament or contribute as a tournament sponsor.

The format is an 18-hole, 4-person scramble with a shotgun start. Registration is required. The deadline to register is Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Several sponsorship opportunities are available for this year’s tournament.

If interested in becoming a sponsor or to register a team, contact Roger Collins, Staff Associate for Fitness & Athletics, at 207.621.3512.

Through its fundraising efforts, UMA has been able to enhance the student-athlete experience as well as grow its programs. Over the last few years, the athletic teams have strengthened their performance, talent, and team unity.

All proceeds from the UMA Athletic Golf Tournament will go directly towards supporting the Moose to help enhance the UMA student-athlete experience. Philanthropic support of Moose Athletics is what allows our UMA Athletics teams to strive and shine, be it with new equipment or open doors for better opportunities for our students. The Moose rely on generous donors for the financial assistance required when growing and maintaining our sports programs.

With the additions of baseball and softball, UMA now offers students eleven competitive sports through its athletics program. “Athletics are a significant part of many students’ college experience and provide important life lessons. We are excited for the opportunity to expand our department with baseball and softball,” said Chris Hart, Director of Student Life & Athletics. Expansion and growth have been Hart’s vision since joining UMA in 2021. “When I first started, we had about 35 student athletes. When we added men’s and women’s soccer last year we grew to over 70, and with the addition of softball and baseball we expect to have 110-120 active student athletes.”

With two new sports comes two new coaches. UMA is pleased to announce the hiring of Heath Cowan (Softball) and Jacob Bessey (Baseball) to begin the process of building the teams.

Heath Cowan has a lifetime of coaching experience. “My aim is to build a championship softball team right off the bat.” Said Cowan, and he is precisely the coach to do it. Currently Â鶹APP women’s basketball coach, he has demonstrated an ability to develop championship caliber programs, having led the team to nationals all three seasons he has been with them. His softball experience includes being Head Varsity Coach at Carrabec High School and coaching the Madison High School softball team to win State Championships and Regional Runner-up titles. Leaving his position at Madison High for UMA is bittersweet. “This means I won’t be able to coach my daughter her last year playing for Madison, but she has been very supportive and encouraging,”—a trait that seems to run in the family. Cowan understands the value of sports in a player’s life. When asked about the potential impact of adding softball to UMA athletics, Cowan didn’t hesitate, “It is really special. Providing more sports options for women shines a light on the University, not only for the great education students receive here, but for the opportunity for young women to develop leadership skills to carry into their futures. Playing on a team teaches life lessons you just can’t get in a classroom,” he said.

Jacob Bessey brings the depth of baseball knowledge, skills, techniques, and philosophies that can only come from growing up in and around the sport. Bessey’s father coached for eleven years, so, from a very young age, he was learning the game—not just how to play, but also how to be a leader—at his father’s side. In high school, Bessey played varsity all four years, and went on to play for the University of Maine at Farmington where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. As captain of the UMF team, he was selected to the NAC All-Tournament team. For the past two years has coached baseball at Spruce Mountain, his high school alma mater, where he led Spruce to tie their best season ever and was awarded Coach of the Year. “My coaching mindset involves high individual effort and high team energy. I’m looking to have fun while working hard to improve every single day,” says Bessey. “I’m grateful to UMA for the honor of starting my college coaching career with the rare opportunity of building both the program and the team from scratch.”

Growing the athletics department has far-reaching impact for both the university and the community. “We’ve been able to change the narrative about UMA,” says Hart, “UMA has so much to offer and so many great people who can set you up for success.” When asked about his first experience on Â鶹APP Augusta campus, Bessey admitted, “it was much larger than I thought! UMA is no longer the small commuter school of the past; it is a full campus.” He specifically noted that the recent addition of dormitory facilities underscores the fact that UMA is not only for commuters and distance learners, but also for traditional students seeking a robust on-campus experience. Since 2018, the Augusta campus has increased from one dorm to three, and plans are in the works to offer even more housing options to UMA students. “It’s hard to have a team without on-campus living,” noted Besseey, “but UMA is building for the future, and I want to be a part of this program for a very long time.”

Cowan and Bessey are both actively recruiting athletes for their teams which will operate on a split-season schedule, playing in both the fall and spring.

Training begins in mid-August and the season starts in September. Interested prospective student athletes can complete the by visiting and clicking on “recruit me” at the top of the page. Players of all positions are needed and encouraged to apply. Both teams are seeking pitchers.

For more information about baseball and softball at UMA, or any one of our other sports offerings, contact the Athletic Department at 207-621-3000.

The UMA Athletics 15th Annual Golf Tournament was a great success!

First and foremost, participants were greeted with a beautiful sunny day which has seemed nearly impossible with all the rain we have had this summer. 19 teams, 23 sponsors, and 23 different businesses participated or donated in efforts to raise money for the UMA Athletic Department.

LakeSide Boat Rentals walked away as the Low Gross Winner and Dana Lawrence Tree Service was the Low Net Winner. The tournament itself had a number of contests including putting contests, “closest to the pin,” “longest drive” and “hit the green.”

Chris Hart, UMA Director of Student Life and Athletics, says “I am extremely appreciative of all of the efforts that went into this tournament. So much went into the planning and execution of the tournament and it took an Armory of volunteers from the UMA community to put this event together. This tournament acts as our largest annual fundraiser and all proceeds are spent to enhance the student athlete experience. Thank you to everyone who contributed to a successful tournament and we hope for even more success in 2024.”

Please enjoy this selection of photos from the event. (Click on the images to enlarge.)

The UMA Athletic Department is excited to announce the 15th Annual Athletic Golf Tournament is scheduled for July 20th, 2023 at Fogg Brook Resort, 147 Lang Hill Rd, Palmyra, Maine. The public is invited to participate in the tournament or contribute as a tournament sponsor.

The format is an 18-hole, 4-person scramble with a shotgun start. . The deadline to register is Monday, July 17, 2023.

Several sponsorship opportunities are available for this year’s tournament. If interested in becoming a sponsor or to register a team, contact Roger Collins, Staff Associate for Fitness & Athletics, at 207.621.3512. Through its fundraising efforts, UMA has been able to enhance the student-athlete experience as well as grow its programs. Over the last few years, the athletic teams have strengthened their performance, talent, and team unity.

The 2022-23 academic year brought success and new excitement for the Moose. Esports has been added to its list of varsity programs, and began competition this Spring 2023 semester in Â鶹APP esports arena located in the Katz building. New coaches are also eagerly awaiting Men’s and Women’s Soccer, which arrives Fall 2023.

With these additions, UMA now sponsors 10 varsity programs to go along with multiple club sports. UMA student-athletes have worked extremely hard both on their playing surfaces and the classroom. Ty Cowan, Co-Ed Golf, finished 3rd in the YSCC Championship and the Golf team qualified for the USCAA National Golf Invitational. Laura LeFloch, Women’s Cross Country finished 6th in the YSCC Championship. Alisyn Alley, Women’s Basketball, was recognized as a USCAA National Second Team All-American and Trevor Beals, Men’s Basketball, was recognized as a USCAA National Honor Mention All-American.

Nine student-athletes were recognized as USCAA National Academic All-Americans (3.5 GPA or higher) and 14 student athletes were recognized as YSCC Academic All-Conference for Fall 2022/Spring 2023. The Women’s Basketball team qualified to compete at the USCAA Division II National Basketball Tournament in Richmond, VA where they were able to win two games. Cole Martin (Pole Vault) and Loran McAlpine (Discus), Track & Field, set new UMA records while the team qualified for USCAA Track Nationals.

All proceeds from the UMA Athletic Golf Tournament will go directly towards supporting the Moose to help enhance the UMA student-athlete experience. Philanthropic support of Moose Athletics is what allows our UMA Athletics teams to strive and shine, be it with new equipment or open doors for better opportunities for our students. The Moose rely on generous donors for the financial assistance required when growing and maintaining our sports programs.

The UMA Sports Hall of Fame has inducted three new individuals for 2023, adding stellar athletic contributors from men’s and women’s sports to the existing 18-member Hall. The public is invited to attend an evening of recognition of athletes and supporters from both the past and present on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at Â鶹APP Augusta campus in the Kennebec Savings Bank Fireside Lounge, Randall Student Center, 46 University Dr., Augusta, Maine.

Established in 2018, Â鶹APP Hall of Fame recognizes individuals or teams who have made outstanding contributions to UMA athletics. Each has helped bring excellence and distinction to the University and its athletic programs.

The Class of 2023 Hall of Famers was selected by the UMA Sports Hall of Fame committee and approved by UMA interim president, Joseph Szakas and Athletic Director Chris Hart.

Honorees for 2023 include:

Brendan Gilpatrick – Brendan is the first coach in UMA history to win a USCAA National Invitational Championship (women’s track and field). Brendan was integral in the implementation of the track and field program at UMA. He helped to create and implement off season training programs for all student-athletes and improved UMA gym facilities to ensure student-athlete success. Brendan was instrumental in the formation of the student-athlete lounge at the Augusta Fitness Center, providing a space for all athletes to connect. Most of all, Brendan make strong personal connections with the student-athletes at UMA and put in the extra time, effort, and energy to ensure that they succeeded academically, felt supported, and were always heard.

Carmen Bragg ’18 – Carmen was the USCAA National Student-Athlete of the Year in 2017. While at UMA, Carmen surpassed the 1,000-point mark for her collegiate basketball career. She earned numerous player of the week honors, as well as earned a spot on the YSCC All Conference team in both basketball and cross country. She is a three-time USCAA National Academic All—American. As a UMA student, she volunteered weekly at the Augusta Food Bank, at numerous blood drives, campus clean-up initiatives, and spent time caroling for the homeless during the holidays. She served in the Student Government Association, the Honors Program, and as an Admission Ambassador where she worked closely with potential new students.

Dean Graham ’90 – 3 Years Team Captain, 1523 career points, 962 career rebounds. NAIA District 4 All Star. 4 year starter; Career average double 16.2 PPG 10.2RBPG 3 year team captain 1987-‘88,1988-’89, 1989-’90. Dean graduated in 1990 with Bachelor’s degree in BA as the all-time leader in points (1523), and rebounds (962). He was a Maine College Basketball Coaches and Writers Association Rebounding Leader District 5 NAIA 1986-’87, and 1987-’88 seasons Recipient of the Dick Haskell UMA Commitment Award. He was selected to the NAIA District 5 All Northeast College Conference Team 1988-’89 and 1989-’90 seasons NAIA District 5 All Star selection in 1990. Dean was assistant coach for Men’s Basketball at UMA for 2 seasons 1990-’91 and 1991-’92.

We will also be announcing award winners for current UMA Student Athletes which will include Player of the Year, Individual Team Awards, Highest Team GPA, and recognize some great accomplishments from the past year.

The Â鶹APP announced that Justin Wentworth and Sarah Ntifu will coach the new men’s and women’s soccer teams, respectively, launching fall 2023.

Wentworth is a former Central Maine United Soccer Club player. Previously, he played four years of varsity soccer at Waterville Senior High School, winning first and second team honors as a junior and senior, and continued to play at Emmanuel College in Boston. Wentworth moved on to play hockey for Thomas College in Waterville, where he now works as an assistant hockey coach.

Ntifu is a migrant from Ghana with diverse coaching and playing experience at the College, Division III, high school and youth club levels. She was captain of her high school women’s soccer team in Ghana for three straight years, where she led her team to win the High School Zonal Championship in 2011 and 2012. She played for BrightSam Ladies FC, a semi-professional team in Takoradi, Ghana, from 2013-2015 that achieved its first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 2013, and Cochise Women’s Soccer team, a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 1 team in Arizona from 2018-2019 that won the Region 1 Championship in 2019.

Ntifu began coaching with the Newcastle Boys FC in Accra, Ghana, in 2015. In 2022, she coached with Challenger Sports. She currently holds the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Grassroots license and is in the process of receiving the USSF D license. Ntifu is also currently pursuing an M.S. in Information Systems from the University of Maine, and has a B.S. in computer applications from the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

Chris Hart, director of student life and athletics at UMA, says that he is “thrilled” to welcome Wentworth and Ntifu to the new program.

“Their passion for the game of soccer and their plan to grow and develop these programs both on and off the field is what impressed us throughout the search process,” Hart says. “I am excited for our student-athletes to begin working with their coaches in the Fall.”

UMA announced in April 2022 that it will add men’s and women’s soccer to its USCAA Division II athletic program beginning in the Fall 2023. UMA is a member of the Yankee Small College Conference, which currently has seven schools that sponsor men’s soccer and six schools that sponsor women’s soccer. With the additions of Men’s and Women’s Soccer, UMA will offer students nine sports within which to compete through its athletics program.

UMA has started recruiting student athletes for the Fall 2023 season and currently has four athletes — two per team — who have signed National Letters of Intent. For more information, contact: Chris Hart, chart@maine.edu, 207-621-3442.