ORONO – The University of Maine’s 2005 football schedule has been finalized, with the Oct. 1 game against Albany to be played at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. The Black Bears last played in Portland during the 2003 season.

The Black Bears will open the 2005 season with a game at Division I-A Nebraska. The home opener for Maine will take place on Sept. 10 against William Penn. The Atlantic-10 schedule begins the following week as the Black Bears host Richmond on Sept. 17 for Friends and Family Weekend. The Black Bears will begin fall practice on Monday, Aug. 8.

Hutchinson named USM Track coach

GORHAM – Scott Hutchinson, the women’s cross country and track coach at Salve Regina University for the past two years, has accepted the head coaching position of the men’s cross country and track and field program at the University of Southern Maine.

Al Bean, director of athletics at USM, made the announcement following and extensive search process. Hutchinson will assume his duties at USM starting Aug. 15. He succeeds Bruce Bickford, who left USM in March to pursue other opportunities.

Prior to his two years at Salve Regina, Hutchinson was the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field coach at Babson College for 15 years. While at Babson, he also served as the operations manager for the college’s recreation center.