UMFK Athletics Launches Bengal Buddies
The University of Maine at Fort Kent Athletics Department has launched its first-ever Bengal Buddies program, a community initiative designed to connect UMFK student-athletes and teams with young people throughout the St. John Valley.
Director of Athletics Becky Carlson announced the program as part of the department’s growing commitment to strengthening relationships between Bengal Athletics and the local community.
“We are incredibly excited to release our first round of Bengal Buddies,” Carlson said.
The Bengal Buddies program gives younger members of the community an opportunity to become part of the UMFK game-day experience. Each Bengal Buddy receives a complimentary Bengals T-shirt, joins the team during pregame introductions, walks onto the field or court with the student-athletes for the national anthem and serves as an honorary ball runner during the match. UMFK will host the program for both men and women’s sports so it is seeking candidates from ages 6 to 17.
Bengal Buddies have participated at every UMFK men’s and women’s soccer home game since the program began. The department recently welcomed its fourth group during Homecoming, when Fort Kent Community High School students Noah Levesque, Dom Cyr, Kyle Paradis and Carter Raymond served as honorary ball runners for the Bengals’ men’s soccer match.
The Homecoming crowd provided an ideal setting to celebrate the program and showcase the connection between UMFK Athletics and the surrounding community.
The Athletics Department will look to continue expanding Bengal Buddies by incorporating the program into UMFK’s indoor sports and providing more local children with opportunities to interact with Bengal student-athletes and teams.
Parents and guardians interested in registering their children for a future Bengal Buddies experience should contact Director of Athletics Becky Carlson at Rebecca.carlson1@maine.edu
Thank you to our Bengal Buddies—and Go Bengals!