Esports have surged in popularity worldwide over the past five years or so, and this fall they have debuted as a varsity sport in Maine.
Mike Lowe
When Mike Lowe joined the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram’s staff in 1982, he never thought he was setting roots. But he learned to love Maine, its people, its games and, especially, its stories.
It’s hard to say what he covers because, well, he covers everything. Over the years he’s been fortunate to witness some of the biggest sports events in Maine and elsewhere, from the Little League World Series to the actual World Series, from an NCAA ice hockey championship for Maine to an AHL championship for the Portland Pirates, from seven Super Bowls for the Patriots to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He’s interviewed stars and personalities such as Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, Seth Wescott, Michael Phelps, Ian Crocker, Paul Kariya, Julia Clukey, Kevin “Killer” Kaminski and Joan Benoit Samuelson. Yet his favorite stories often involve Maine high school sports and the passion they stir. Nothing compares to the bond between a high school and its town.
He collects comic books, loves listening to the Red Sox on the radio on a warm summer night or leaning back in his recliner with a good book. He also loves, absolutely loves, chocolate-covered peanuts.
A native of New Bedford, Mass., he lives in Saco with his wife Tracie and has three children and four grandchildren.
Posted inLocal & State, Sports
Field hockey creates bond that leads to life-saving gift
Suzanne Bourgault of Portland learned that her friend’s husband needed a liver transplant. She never hesitated to become a living donor.
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Posted inBoys Basketball, Boys Hockey, Cheering, Girls Basketball, Girls Hockey, Indoor Track, Skiing, Sports, Swimming, Varsity Maine, Wrestling
This winter, coin flip replaces opening tip-off
The Maine Principals’ Association releases its COVID-19 safety guidelines on each high school winter sport.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Sports
Scarborough Downs will halt live horse racing this month, ending a 70-year run
The track, which opened with thoroughbred racing in 1950, has struggled through years of financial hardship and will hold its last harness racing card on Nov. 28.
Posted inSports, Varsity Maine, Volleyball, Wrestling
High school wrestling season pushed back to late February
The Maine Principals’ Association announced the move Thursday in hopes that pandemic conditions will improve enough to allow for competition.
Posted inMaine colleges, Sports, UMaine Sports
UMaine hockey: Men’s season opener delayed; women will play this weekend
The men’s team won’t start until next weekend, but the women will play Friday and Saturday at Holy Cross.
Posted inMaine colleges, Sports, UMaine Sports, Varsity Maine
Tough new rule for sports? ‘I don’t even realize I’m wearing a mask’
Maine high school athletes will be required to wear masks during games and practices this winter. UMaine athletes have been doing so since the start of the school year, and many shrug at the inconvenience.
Posted inMaine colleges, Sports, UMaine Sports
Schedules unveiled, but UMaine hockey teams unsure if they can play
Hockey East releases its men’s and women’s schedules, but UMaine teams are still waiting on word if they will be able to compete this winter.
Posted inMaine colleges, Sports, UMaine Sports
Kicker Kenny Doak leaving UMaine football team
Doak, whose two winning field goals in 2018 helped the Black Bears win the league championship, has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Posted inSports, Varsity Maine
Bob Butler, longtime keeper of the Maine Heal points, dies at 96
The gymnasium at York High is named after Butler, who served there as a coach and athletic director. He was an inaugural member of the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.