BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England's Harold Alfond Forum Student Building Managers (HAFSBM), in collaboration with the Athletics Department, are pleased to announce the dates for the 10th Annual Teddy Bear Toss (TBT) games for the 2025-26 season. The men's game will take place on Friday, Jan. 23, and the women one day later on Saturday, Jan. 24. Nichols College will be the opponent for each game, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. both nights.

Originating in 2017, the TBT game was conceived as a community-oriented event that would embody the leadership role exhibited by members of the HAFSBM team and has morphed into a tradition of combining service, student leadership and community impact. The inaugural game was never intended to raise money but designed to collect new and gently-used stuffed animals for children in need. More than 500 stuffed animals were donated in that first year, with the total reaching more than 12,500 since that time. The stuffed animals are donated annually to the Maine Health Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) emergency rooms in Sanford and Biddeford. As the program has evolved, the TBT games have now raised more than $30,000 that has been donated through a partnership with Make-a-Wish Maine.

The HAFSBM program is overseen by DJ Whitten and Cynthia Furber under the Auxiliary Operations Department within UNE Campus Services. Whitten serves as Director of Auxiliary Operations, while Furber is the Executive Assistant to the VP, Chief Human Resources Officer & VP of Legal Affairs. More than 100 Student Building Managers have graduated through the program.

"In the spirit of Harold Alfond's remarkable generosity, DJ and I remain deeply committed to carrying forward his legacy of giving and community impact through this event and sharing those lessons with not only the students involved in the Forum Student Building Manager Program but to our entire UNE Community as well," Furber stated. "The 10th Annual Teddy Bear Toss is a proud milestone that reflects not only the joy of this beloved UNE tradition, but also the meaningful partnerships it fosters with our students and the greater community."

Student Building Managers Lainie Lemieux '26 (Topsham, Maine) and Sarah Coldwell '27 (Southborough, Mass.) cherish their involvement with the Teddy Bear Toss.

"The Teddy Bear Toss is simply one of the best times of the year for those of us that work at the Alfond Forum," said Lemieux. "It brings together not only the UNE community, but the local community that surrounds us. Most importantly, it's for a good cause and carries on Harold Alfond's legacy of giving back. For me, as a member of the Student Building Manager Program and a student-athlete who is on the UNE women's hockey team, it's rewarding to see everything come together. It's amazing to see all the teddy bears flood the ice after our first goal, and at the same time knowing that we are making a difference."

Said Coldwell: "The Teddy Bear Toss is my favorite part of working at the Alfond Forum. When I went to the Teddy Bear Toss my freshman year before I worked at the Forum, I understood that we were doing something to help children and their families, but it wasn't until I started working here that I fully appreciated it. Getting to spend time, one on one with the kids and families is one of the highlights of my year. Seeing how excited they are to be there with us and spending time as a community is incredible. I love getting to see the entire UNE community and beyond get together to do such good work."

The 10th Annual Teddy Bear Toss will feature special promotional items and renewed community engagement. As part of the celebration, special commemorative game-worn jerseys from each contest will be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Maine. The goal is to raise the $8,500 needed to grant a wish for a critically ill child in southern Maine—a powerful way for the Student Building Managers and broader UNE community to make a tangible impact in support of Harold Alfond's dedication to philanthropy and community betterment. 

UNE Vice President of Operations, Alan Thibeault, who oversees the Campus Services Department, circles the games on his calendar each year so as to not miss out on the event. "Understanding the origins of the Teddy Bear Toss is what gives this tradition its unique significance," Thibeault said. "Over time, it has become an integral part of our UNE community, uniting people in a way that few events can. Each year, I look forward to these games and the tradition they represent. The joy on the faces of the participants, both in the stands and on the ice, speaks volumes about the impact it has on our community. I have even heard from visiting fans who have remarked how much they wish their own campuses had something similar. The continued success of this event is a testament to the dedication of the Forum Student Building Managers whose leadership and commitment bring it to life year after year."

Over its existence, the Teddy Bear Toss has drawn large crowds, with the women setting a program single-game attendance record of 729 in 2023. The men also attract some of their largest crowds of the year at the TBT game.