My House Special was a deep dive into the Forum Cafe and how it creates a positive environment for student athletes on campus here at UNE. There was a written piece which I attached along with a Photo Roman where we had to tell a story through an array of images.
Anthony Lacaprucia
Professor Siegel
CMM-110-A
07 December 2024
The Forum Cafe: Providing Athletes With Fuel When They Need It Most
“It’s late, we’re all exhausted, and we’re really really hungry,” says Daniel Sullivan IV, an offensive lineman on the University of New England Football team. What he is describing is the reality players face post football practice, when options for dining on campus are slim.
At UNE, a typical practice runs until about 7 PM, and with almost all players battling injuries in season, their football obligations continue much later than that. A typical player will spend about thirty minutes after practice in the athletic training room getting treatment. On top of this, many athletes have required study hall hours. This especially true for freshmen, as every first semester freshman is to do eight hours of study regardless of their academic standing. This entails staying at the forum after practice for one or two hours a day until athletes meet their time commitment.
With the Harold Alfond Forum, the center of UNE athletics, being located on the opposite side of campus from the dining hall, most football players simply cannot make it before closing time each night. Even when they do, the dining hall often simply doesn’t have food as the chefs stop cooking at a certain time.
In the absence of the dining hall, athletes just have two choices: they can all rush over to the small scale Forum Cafe, or head across campus to the Pub, which stays conveniently open until 10 PM. However, there’s a catch with the Pub: meal swipes aren’t accepted, leaving many to pay out of pocket.
The obvious choice becomes the Forum Cafe. As a result of this, the Forum Cafe becomes bombarded with players minutes before they close. Despite this though, workers are more than happy to serve athletes food. They are super friendly and always have food ready in preparation for the mad rush. Daniel Sullivan IV, additionally states “I’ve never been to a place where the workers are so happy to help you right before they close”. This is a common feeling for the entire team. “We are all just super grateful,” adds Dan.
The Forum Cafe has a good variety of food options so a wide range of players can have their food needs met. They offer rice bowls, salads, chicken tenders with tater tots, and even freshly made smoothies. All of this comes with your choice of either chips or fruit. Additionally, they will occasionally have a special where they offer something totally different to keep their food options from getting repetitive. This is huge for many athletes who eat one to two meals a day at the forum consistently every week.
Aside from offering much-needed fuel though, the Forum Cafe plays a crucial role in helping student athletes to stay on top of their academic responsibilities. Given the demanding schedules of athletes, finding time to eat, let alone study, can be incredibly challenging. The convenient location of the Forum Cafe, being right inside the athletics center, allows athletes to grab a meal with ease, giving them more time to focus on completing their homework or preparing for exams. Without this added stress of having to leave campus or worry about missing a meal, players can maximize the little time they have to get their school work done efficiently. The Forum Cafe thus helps to create a supportive environment where student athletes don’t have to choose between refueling their bodies and succeeding academically.
Additionally, the Forum Cafe offers a sense of community for the team. After a long day of practice, many players appreciate the chance to relax and socialize with their teammates while grabbing a quick bite. The staff there is always friendly and ready to help, which makes the atmosphere even more welcoming. In a place where time is scarce and demands are high, the Forum Cafe provides a crucial space for students to recharge, both physically and mentally, before moving on to their next responsibilities.
The Forum Cafe is more than just a dining option for student athletes at UNE. It serves as a vital resource, offering convenient meals while also supporting student athlete success. By providing food at a space where students study, it alleviates the stress that comes with the need to purchase food off campus and out of students’ pockets, contributing to overall better well being for student athletes.
