A disc golf course and landmark ice cream shack might seem an unconventional venue for the first practice of two college cross country teams. But Roy’s All Steak Hamburger and Golf Center in Auburn proved to be the ideal gathering spot for the �ֲ���ý men’s and women’s teams as they embark on their second season as one program. 

As head coach Danny Feldman called out ice cream orders in the age-old practice of snack shacks everywhere, the 49 runners who surrounded him at the counter one by one grabbed their soft-serve celebratory cones and — having just run anywhere from nine to 13 miles — had at it. 

For a half century, the �ֲ���ý men’s and women’s cross country teams were run as two separate programs until the college changed that last year. When Feldman took over as head coach of the program in the 2022 season, he wanted to build a unified culture. Quirky and silly as it may sound, Roy’s was a part of that.

Using the iconic venue for the program’s first workout — and as a fun way to welcome �ֲ���ý’ first-years to the teams — is just one of many new practices Feldman is using to shape the two teams into a single culture focused on community and transparency. The team used to use the disc golf course on occasion. Now the Auburn landmark is their regular Wednesday-workout training ground. 

“It started last year when I arrived, but I’m making it a tradition,” Feldman said of Roy’s. “I thought that after a summer of training, much of which was completely individual, it would be special and symbolic to celebrate our first workout of the year as a team — and our new team members, with ice cream.”

Some other ways Feldman aims to build community in the program is by requiring the runners to report their mileage on the GPS app, Strava, something that was done occasionally in the past, but now occurs program-wide. He also instituted “community runs” every Thursday, when the men’s and women’s teams run together (sometimes joined by fans from faculty and staff). The relaxed runs are intended to emphasize rest and recovery — something Feldman is big on.

“They’ve all picked a silly sport to do. You’re competing in three (consecutive) seasons. It’s physically, mentally and spiritually draining,” Feldman said. “They need to recharge.” 

The regular Wednesday training runs at Roy’s is yet one more new custom added to the Bobcat’s newly unified program. 

“Whenever I start a new coaching job I look up places to run on Google Maps. I asked the seniors for suggestions,” Feldman said. “This place is five minutes away. The grass mimics a cross country course. I love Roy’s. The workouts are hard, but they build confidence. They also should leave feeling they had a bit more left. We’re looking for consistency.”

While a disc golf course may be a bit unconventional as a regular training ground for a college cross country team, Roy’s has quickly become a favorite among the Bobcats. They used to train more at their home race course, Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, a half-hour drive from campus. Now they consider Roy’s their home turf. (Another occasional local workout spot for �ֲ���ý cross country teams has long been Riverside Cemetery. Back in the mid-1970s during the Walt Slovenski era, workouts here were called “graveyards.”)

“When we were running on the course last year, someone was throwing a disc while we ran past, that was definitely odd,” said Kahryn Cullenberg ’24 of Chesterville, Maine, with a laugh. 

“We also use Strava more. This summer we could see what everyone was running. It was fun to check and see their photos and maps of their courses. Everyone is running fast paces early. “

Cullenberg said she prefers Roy’s because the disc golf course is closer to campus than Pineland Farms and it’s more similar to other NESCAC courses, which mostly run through grassy, flat fields, rather than woods. She also appreciates that Roy’s offers far-reaching views, so she can see her teammates training hard in the distance.

Feldman’s efforts to build community and unity have been welcomed by Bobcats on both teams, which have already seen success in his short tenure. Last season, the women’s team finished 14th in the country at the NCAA Championships, matching their best showing ever on the national stage, while the men’s team qualified for the national meet for the 11th time in program history, placing 22nd.

The one-program approach at �ֲ���ý also is now the norm in track and field. Come the indoor season, Curtis Johnson serves as the head coach of both teams, while Feldman is one of the assistant coaches.

On Aug. 23, after a lengthy warmup, four groups of women, five groups of men, and one group made up of both, set off one-by-one at near-race pace. According to Feldman, putting male runners rebounding from injuries in a group of women learning to run near race pace can serve both.

“That was my group,” said Ben Huston ’25 of Vergennes, Vt. “Myself and two other guys are getting over injuries. We helped the women with pacing and they helped us get back to training. It’s a nice way to get to know them. We’ve had different training programs the past two years. People really like it. People are really committed. As a team, we look really good.”

As the Bobcats circled the half-mile circuit around the disc course a dozen times, Feldman stood at the flagged starting line yelling encouragement, joined by assistants Art Feeley and Alison Leonard ‘10. The pace run by the 10 groups varied widely, but the message delivered by Feldman in myriad cheers was the same.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you look great. Keep it up,” he said to one group, before turning to another with: “Nice job, ladies. Welcome back to cross country!”

At Orientation, new students get an extended introduction to the �ֲ���ý community. That includes a glimpse of the college’s hometown.

Each year on Labor Day, older students — each with deep experience in Lewiston and Auburn through the Harward Center for Community Partnerships — lead groups of first-years on tours of the downtown area.

They take in and learn about the historic �ֲ���ý Mill complex, the shops and businesses on Lisbon Street, and the river’s connection to city history. The expert guides introduce the city’s past and ever-changing present, places to eat and spend time, and opportunities to get involved.

On the way back to campus, students are asked, “What caught your eye, interest, or imagination?”

With the Class of 2022 set to arrive on Aug. 27, we thought we’d share a few responses from last year’s incoming Class of 2021.

Food

It was really great to see the diversity in the restaurants that are available in such a small area.

It was super cool to see Lewiston’s architecture, as well as some of the restaurants/spots downtown I might want to visit.

Art

The downtown park was beautiful. I also liked the modern art sculpture on Lisbon Street.

I love all the public art!

People

I loved the area that locals call the Somali block. In my experience living abroad or being in cities that have significant foreign populations, I’ve always loved exploring the stores and businesses and talking with the owners. I’m excited to do that here as well!

An aerial view of Lewiston and Auburn, bisected by the Androscoggin River. The �ֲ���ý campus is at bottom left. (Theophil Syslo/�ֲ���ý College)

Opportunity

[I was struck by] all of the community-service opportunities, particularly the pre-law community program at the courthouse. I was also struck by the number of �ֲ���ý grads who continue to engage with the Lewiston community after graduating.

I previously thought Lewiston was going be very similar to my small hometown, but it’s pretty different. It is bigger than I imagined, and there are a lot of interesting restaurants and things to get involved in.

I liked how many opportunities there are for students to get involved with local politics.

The “” planters caught my eye. What an interesting way to get people to think about healthy food and access to food.

During last year’s tour of downtown Lewiston-Auburn, students cross a bridge over the canal in Lewiston. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ���ý College)

Variety

The plaza and park are inviting and pretty. The people are diverse and friendly, and there are many different types of shops to explore.

The locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, and small businesses look like good alternatives if you want to get off campus.

�ֲ���ý’ ninth annual Clean Sweep, a “garage sale” of usable goods donated by departing students, raised a record $21,400 in proceeds that will be divided among local nonprofit organizations.

A community tradition, the sale on June 20 drew swarms of eager bargain-hunters to the college’s Underhill Arena, on Russell Street.
“More than 100 volunteers from 14 organizations spent over 1,000 hours collecting, cleaning, organizing and pricing items for the sale,” says Julie Rosenbach, event organizer and the college’s environmental coordinator. “Items filled the arena — we had more than 90 tables full of stuff, plus rows of lamps, furniture, appliances and electronics.”

Items donated by �ֲ���ý students and other members of the college community also included sporting goods, housewares, books, toys, clothes and shoes.

�ֲ���ý is one of a number of colleges and universities nationwide that benefit both local nonprofit organizations and the environment by selling useful possessions donated by students as they head out at the end of the academic year.

The sale both keeps unwanted possessions out of the waste stream and raises money for the organizations. Nonprofits supply volunteers to help staff the event, and in return receive a share of the proceeds proportionate to the amount of time volunteered.

The beneficiaries of the event were: the Caleb Garden Club; Common Ties Mental Health Services; First Universalist Church, Auburn; the Justice, Ecology and Democracy Collective, Greene; Life Center; Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin; Lots to Gardens; Maine Fair Trade Campaign; Maine People’s Alliance; New Beginnings, Inc.; the St. Andre Home; the Share Center, Auburn; Somali Bantu Community Association; and TriCounty Mental Health Services.

Last year’s sale raised $11,897, divided by 14 local nonprofit organizations. The total for 2007 was around $18,000.