There are many traditions surrounding the University of Maine and the hockey program. Everything from the unique ceiling of the Alfond to the chants in the student section. Hockey has captured the hearts and minds of students and Mainers alike.
There is one tradition that has spanned the decades that is almost synonymous with Maine hockey: the men of the Naked Five. These five men run around the Alfond whenever a goal is scored in nothing but a pair of shorts with the letters M-A-I-N-E written on their chests.
The Naked Five have been present at men’s ice hockey games since the 1993 season. Their first game was the only loss of the season, as the Black Bears would go on to a 42-1-2 record and the NCAA National Championship. Back then, it was only the Naked Four, and the letters “AI” were written on one chest. The next game, another member was added so that each man would only have one letter.
Today’s Naked Five comprised of five UMaine standouts who are also hardcore hockey fans. Devon Biggie is the “M,” Jake Ward is the “A,” Matt Dunning is the “I,” Cody Rubner is the “N,” and Gordon Potter is the “E.” These guys are not just hardcore hockey fans, but they follow Hockey East like it is their job.
“Usually the guys who do the Naked Five are dedicated hockey fans,” Biggie said, “They look at the stats, playoffs and Hockey East. It’s someone who’s not just a Maine fan, but a fan of Hockey East in general.”
This hockey fandom has made the Naked Five a significant part of the Maine student section during games. They were even awarded the “Most Dedicated Fans Award” by the Friends of Maine Hockey after last season.
“Our job is to keep the chants going, to keep the environment going and keep [the students] rowdy up there,” Rubner said about the Naked Five’s role during games. “The fans are crazy here and are into the game…I think that is what makes it so special. You’re really involved as a student here.”
Before the Naked Five even arrives at the Alfond, there is a specific process that occurs before every game know as “painting up.” The process begins at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, since three of the five letters are brothers of the fraternity. Each member gets one letter painted onto their chest; the “M,” “I,” and “N” are all blue with white outlines and the “A” and “E” are both white with blue outlines.
Aside from the large letters on their chests, there are many small details that go into painting up. For example, they also write a five to six word phrase on their backs in blue. In addition, the “A” always has a green shamrock symbol painted on their arm. The symbol honors the late head coach Shawn Walsh.
The two most senior members also get the captain’s “C” and assistant captain’s “A” just like on the uniforms of the players on the ice. Currently, the Naked Five are captained by Ward who is the “A” and the assistant captain is Potter, who is the “E.”
Once painting has been completed, the traditional shirtless run to the Alfond takes place.
“It is a tradition to run to the Alfond shirtless and to run back the same way after the game,” Biggie said.
Once in the Alfond, the Naked Five are given tickets to their reserved seats in the “Maine-iak” section. They participate in the chants and pregame dances done by the students section and then, they begin their watch for a Maine goal.
When a goal is scored, the Naked Five quickly exit the student section to begin their sprint around the Alfond. They go left for odd numbered goals, and right for even numbered goals. Led by “M” and the bell, they make their way around the concourse and then back up to the student section. They compete this routine during the game, but they even have routines for the intermissions in-between periods.
“We have it down to which water fountain we stop at each time. In the second intermission we go to the Friends of Maine Hockey lounge in the Walsh Center for a lap,” Rubner said.
After all is said and done, the Naked Five are a standing Maine hockey tradition, and has been passed down for years.
“It has become a tradition because the letters are passed down when you graduate… you hand it down to someone younger than you,” Biggie said.
Since four of the five men in the Naked Five are members of fraternities on campus, the letters are passed down within the brotherhood. Current Naked Five members say that they look to pass the letters down to people who are true Maine hockey fans, and who are passionate about the University and its teams.
“Coming from out of state, I wasn’t aware of all the traditions of Maine hockey until I went to my first game,” Biggie said, “I watch hockey like it’s my job, so when I went to my first game, I saw the [Naked Five] and thought, ‘I want to be one of those guys,’ and now here I am.”
Rubner was a little more surprised to get his letter from an older fraternity brother because of his age.
“I didn’t expect to get mine because I was so young. I’m only a second-year, so it was an honor,” Rubner said.
Young or old, the Naked Five are a crucial aspect of the Maine hockey experience. As fans, they are loyal to their team and university, and that loyalty will keep the tradition going as it is passed down year by year.
“Once you step into that arena you feel like a part of UMaine,” Rubner said about the atmosphere at hockey games. “It’s definitely a family. You are part of Black Bear Nation.”