With the music pumping in the gym at the Campus Center of the University of New England (UNE) Biddeford campus, students, faculty, and community warm-up for the games they are about to play. Passers-by look on with wonder, trying to figure out what is going on.   

On Saturday, March 8, 2025, UNE hosted a charity event with Maine Needs, a non-profit foundation that is dedicated to providing resources to high-risk Mainers, raising funds and awareness. Maine Needs offers a variety of things to those in need, including clothes, kitchen items, and toiletries, among other items. 

“We try to give them everything they need,” said Lee Cooper, a volunteer with Maine Needs since November 2024. 

Maine Hoops is a basketball tournament with teams made up of students, staff, and community members. The event was designed to give back to the community— by the end of the game, $1,650 was raised for Maine Needs. 

“I want the people who are going to go out there and could play on the varsity basketball team. Also, I want the people who have never touched a basketball before to come out,” said Nick Corneau, a sports leadership and management major with a minor in business and coaching.  

Corneau was inspired to create this event by a tournament that he was a part of in high school and an interaction with the Maine Celtics President, Dajuan Eubanks. In total, it took nearly six months of preparation.

“He [Eubanks] talked about finding passion and rolling with that, so one of the big things I did was try to find passion,” Corneau said.  

With the nature of the event being community-based, Corneau felt it was important to get members of the surrounding community to be involved with the event.  

“It’s funny this is a D3 school, so they can play, whereas other schools’ coaches would be like, ‘No, you might get hurt.’ This was a chance to get involved,” said Holly St. Onge, an alum of UNE and local community member.

The Dean of the College of Business, Norman O’Reilly, and his son were there with others participating in the games. UNE sports teams, including the UNE’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, showed up to play basketball and support the other participants.  

Corneau recruited different teams from around UNE to get more involvement. He wanted to the men’s and women’s basketball teams especially. This was at the end of their season, so their involvement was based on if they continued to the playoffs.  

They did not make it to the playoffs. But, as soon as their seasons were over, they came with high spirits to participate in the fundraiser. The men’s basketball team ended up being the winner of the tournament.  

“I really wish [UNE] did more events, it’s fun and good for the community,” said Tony D’Arcangelo, a junior communication major.