Lumberjacks Move to Bangor, Maine
October 25, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Portland Forest Dragons News Release
The Adirondack Lumberjacks announced Friday the sale of the franchise to Maine businessman Charles M. "Chip" Hutchins, who plans to move the team to a new facility in Bangor for the 2003 season.
Hutchins, a Bangor native, has agreed to buy the franchise from Charles Jacey and relocate the team after an eight-year stay in Glens Falls, N.Y. Jacey's son, Curt, will remain as team general manager. A decision on whether Bangor will keep the Lumberjacks name will be announced later.
The team will play at Husson College's new 3,000-seat John Winkin Baseball Complex. The stadium will have 1,000 chair-back seats and 2,000 bleacher seats.
"We're excited about the move to Bangor and the new ballpark," Commissioner Miles Wolff said. "With a new park in Brockton, Mass., the improvements to Fraser Field in Lynn, Mass., and now this news, our facilities have been upgraded tremendously."
Donations by Husson College, Maine philanthropist Harold Alfond, and current Husson College assistant coach Dr. John Winkin to the ongoing field renovation total roughly $1.6 million, according to the Bangor Daily News. The value of the completed stadium is estimated by town and college officials at between $3.4 and $4 million.
The Bangor Blue Ox of the Northeast League, the predecessor to the Northern League East, failed to secure a new stadium and was sold and moved to Québec City after playing in Bangor in 1996 and 1997.
The owner of Automatic Vending and Games, Hutchins is also the sole investor of Engineered Materials of Maine, director of Merrill Bank, and a director of United Way.
The Lumberjacks play in the league formerly called the Northern League East, which will announce next week its new name and number of teams for 2003.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 25, 2002
- Firebirds Waive Craig, Three Others - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Lumberjacks Move to Bangor, Maine - Portland Forest Dragons
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