What Is 1959 Maine Black Bears football team

Overview

The 1959 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine during the 1959 NCAA College Division football season. Competing as a member of the Yankee Conference, the team was led by head coach Harold Westerman, who was in his fifth year at the helm. The Black Bears played their home games at Alumni Field in Orono, a venue that hosted Maine football for decades.

This season was notable for its competitive balance, with the team finishing with a winning record overall and a strong showing within conference play. The Black Bears demonstrated resilience, particularly in close games, which contributed to their shared conference title. Their performance reflected the steady leadership of Westerman and the growing competitiveness of the program during the late 1950s.

• Overall Record: The team finished the season with a 4–3–1 win-loss-tie record, indicating a slightly above-average performance among College Division teams.
• Conference Record: In the Yankee Conference, Maine went 2–1–1, showcasing consistent play against regional rivals including UConn and New Hampshire.
• Head Coach: Harold Westerman, in his fifth season, continued to build a disciplined and fundamentally sound football program at the University of Maine.
• Home Field: Alumni Field in Orono, Maine, served as the Black Bears' home stadium, providing a familiar and supportive environment for the team.
• Championship Result: Maine tied with the University of Connecticut for the 1959 Yankee Conference title, a significant achievement in the program's history.

Season Performance

The 1959 season featured a mix of victories, defeats, and hard-fought ties that highlighted the team’s competitive spirit. Games were played against regional opponents, many of whom were also members of the Yankee Conference, making each matchup critical for standings and postseason implications.

• September 26, 1959: Maine opened the season with a win over American International, setting a positive tone with a final score of 20–7.
• October 3, 1959: The Black Bears secured another victory, defeating Colby College 21–13 in a non-conference matchup.
• October 10, 1959: A tough loss to conference rival New Hampshire ended in a 20–7 defeat, marking their first conference setback.
• October 17, 1959: Maine bounced back with a 13–7 win over Connecticut, a crucial victory in the race for the conference title.
• October 24, 1959: The team tied Massachusetts 7–7, a hard-fought game that kept their championship hopes alive.
• October 31, 1959: Maine defeated Vermont 20–14, improving their conference standing and overall record.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 1959 Maine Black Bears to other top teams in the Yankee Conference that season:

The 1959 season demonstrated the competitive parity within the Yankee Conference, with Maine and Connecticut finishing with identical conference records. Despite Connecticut’s better overall record, the shared title reflected the close nature of the race. The Black Bears’ ability to win key games and tie with strong opponents like UMass underscored their resilience and strategic discipline under Westerman’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1959 season remains a notable chapter in the history of Maine football, representing a peak during Harold Westerman’s tenure and a rare conference title. It highlighted the program’s ability to compete with regional powerhouses and laid the foundation for future success in the decades to come.

• Historic Achievement: Winning (or sharing) the 1959 Yankee Conference title was a rare accomplishment for the Maine program at the time.
• Coaching Legacy: Harold Westerman’s leadership during this era solidified his reputation as one of Maine’s most successful football coaches.
• Program Momentum: The season helped elevate the profile of Maine football, contributing to increased student and community support.
• Competitive Benchmark: The 4–3–1 record set a standard for future teams striving for postseason relevance.
• Regional Rivalries: Games against UConn, UMass, and New Hampshire intensified longstanding regional rivalries that continue today.
• Historical Record: The 1959 season is preserved in official NCAA and University of Maine archives as a key milestone in the team’s history.

While overshadowed by later developments in college football, the 1959 Maine Black Bears season remains a point of pride for alumni and historians. It exemplifies the value of consistency, teamwork, and strategic coaching in achieving success at the collegiate level.