Jared Newgard didn鈥檛 expect to talk about being shirtless at a job interview.
But when the junior mechanical engineering major from Winslow, Maine, sat down with a potential employer, the conversation quickly turned to a line on his resume: Naked Five.
鈥淭hey recognized me,鈥 Newgard said. 鈥淭hey asked about it.鈥
What might have been a passing detail instead became a conversation about leadership and follow-through, qualities that extend beyond the arena.
At the University of Maine, the Naked Five are a shirtless, painted fixture of Alfond Arena and one of the university鈥檚 most recognizable game-day rituals. Beyond the spectacle, the students behind it are high-achievers, balancing demanding coursework with career ambitions in fields like engineering, health care and environmental science.
Newgard, this year鈥檚 alternate captain and the only non-senior in the group, helps carry the tradition forward, representing both the energy of Black Bear hockey and expected academic discipline.
His experience isn鈥檛 unique.
Caleb Canders of Brewer, Maine, the group鈥檚 captain, is a senior studying zoology with minors in psychology and neuroscience who will attend dental school after graduation. The Naked Five also came up during his application process.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that shows leadership and involvement,鈥 Canders said.
Jacob Bentley of Vassalboro, Maine, is a senior electrical engineering major who plans a career in substation design.
Jason Wickett of Hermon, Maine, is a senior nursing major who plans to become a cardiothoracic surgery nurse practitioner.
Grady Gobeil of Bourne, Massachusetts, is a senior marine biology major who aims to work as a fisheries biologist.
By day, they move between labs, clinicals and coursework. By night, they step into one of the most visible roles at 91福利 hockey games.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about representing the university in every way,鈥 Canders said. 鈥淚n the classroom and in the stands.鈥
The group traces its roots to the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. For more than 30 years, membership has been passed down to students who demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm and school spirit.
A typical gameday
Inside the Alfond, their presence is immediate and unmistakable.
The horn sounds. The crowd roars. Within seconds, the five students are on their feet, painted bright under the arena lights, moving along the concourse as fans reach out for high-fives.
They follow a set routine, lining up and spelling out 鈥淢-A-I-N-E鈥 as the crowd joins in, repeating the pattern each time Maine scores.
鈥淢鈥 carries the cowbell.
鈥淎鈥 wears orange headgear.
鈥淚鈥 carries a bag with their phones.
鈥淣鈥 wears an old Maine hockey hat.
鈥淓鈥 has no signature item (by design, they joke).
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really cool feeling,鈥 Canders said. 鈥淭o have that kind of support from the community.鈥
Outside the arena, their schedules leave little downtime.
鈥淚t takes commitment,鈥 Newgard said. 鈥淵ou have to manage everything and still show up.鈥
They also connect with the community beyond game day, volunteering at events around Orono and interacting with fans outside the stands.
After one game, as the arena emptied, a woman approached the group and asked for a photo. Afterward, she hugged one of the members and told them it had made her day.
鈥淚t鈥檚 moments like that you remember,鈥 Canders said.
For the students, those interactions are what make the experience meaningful, creating a connection that extends beyond the game itself.
As this year鈥檚 group prepares to graduate, a new group will step in, continuing a practice that has lasted more than three decades.
For Canders, the goal is simple:
鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to keep it going,鈥 he said.
Contact: David Nordman at david.nordman@maine.edu
