GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern men's hockey team is raising money throughout the month of November to benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. November is known as "Hockey Fights Cancer" month and the Huskies are doing their part for this important cause. The Huskies are participating in the "Movember" initiative and growing out facial hair for as part of the of cancer awareness effort. The fight against cancer is personal to the program as the team lost two vital members of its community to cancer in the past year: long-time USM assistant coach Mike "Bev" Beveridge and ice arena manager Vinnie Degifico.
 
Beveridge served the Huskies men's ice hockey program for more than 25 years as an assistant coach and statistician. In 2012 he was awarded the David F. Drew III Service Award by the Department of Athletics for his devoted service to the men's ice hockey program and the athletic department.
 
Degifico was a standout baseball player for the Huskies and played in the Red Sox minor league system before an injury ended his career. He eventually returned to USM to work as an assistant baseball coach and went on to manage the ice arena for 24 years. Both men were staples of the USM Ice Arena and their presence at the rink is truly missed.
 
Donations in support of the Huskies' effort can be found here. https://www.gofundme.com/f/university-of-southern-maine-hockey-fights-cancer?qid=10b318529f234f542db6d0b64ff59b4f