USM hosted Gorham Night at the Costello Sports Complex on February 8 to celebrate its longstanding relationship with the Gorham community. According to the Huskies’ website, the University and the Huskies’ Athletic Department annually hosts its Town of Gorham night during the Huskies’ basketball season against traditional rival and Little East Conference foe Plymouth State University.
As part of the celebration, the 3rd and 4th grade girls from the Gorham Recreation Dept. played a 10-minute exhibition during halftime of the women’s game which was followed by the Halftime Hotshot Competition open to both girls and boys. The 3rd and 4th grade boys were spotlighted prior to the start of the men’s game. Two autographed basketballs were raffled off during the event.
Big games from both men’s and women’s teams resulted in a sweep of Plymouth State University. Gorham native, and recently named 2018 LEC Rookie of Year, Kristen Curley led the women’s team to its eighth win in LEC action with 22 points, 7 rebounds, four assists and four steals.
During the evening, a reception was held for University, Town of Gorham officials & community leaders in the Alumni Reception Center. After an Introduction by USM Athletic Director Al Bean, outgoing Chief Business Officer Buster Neal was honored with a Husky Hero Award. Neal helped spearhead the construction of the USM Softball Stadium, as well as helping with updates to the ice hockey locker rooms and the wrestling facility.
Gorham Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak, Gorham Town Council Chair Ben Hartwell, and USM Trustee Shawn Moody were guest speakers.
“The collaboration between the Town of Gorham and the University of Southern Maine continues to be vital to the success of our program,” said Bean. “We have numerous agreements, programs and outreach activities that benefit the town, the University and our student-athletes. We are committed to continuing to build and strengthen this relationship. Ourstudent-athletes appreciate the support they receive from the many Gorham residents who regularly attend our athletic contests and look forward to giving back to the town through our many community-based programs.”