What Is 1939 Maine Black Bears football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1939 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine during the 1939 college football season, finishing with a 4–3 record under head coach Kenneth P.

Key Facts

The 1939 Maine Black Bears football team compiled a 4–3 overall record
They played as an independent team with no conference affiliation
Head coach Kenneth P. MacDonald was in his fifth season at the helm
The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Orono, Maine
They scored a total of 107 points while allowing 67 points

Overview

The 1939 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the 1939 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Kenneth P. MacDonald, who was in his fifth year at the university. The Black Bears played their home games at Alumni Field in Orono, a venue that had hosted Maine football since the early 20th century.

This season marked a modest improvement over previous years, with the team finishing above .500 for the first time since 1936. The Black Bears demonstrated consistent offensive production while maintaining a solid defensive effort across seven games. Though not nationally ranked, the team showed promise under MacDonald’s leadership.

Record: The team finished the season with a 4–3 overall record, marking a positive step forward from their 3–4–1 performance in 1938.
Scoring: The Black Bears scored 107 total points during the season, averaging just over 15 points per game across seven contests.
Defense: They allowed 67 points against, holding opponents to fewer than 10 points per game on average.
Home Field: Alumni Field in Orono, Maine, served as the team’s home venue, a grass field with minimal seating and basic facilities.
Season Start: The season opened on September 30, 1939, with a 13–0 victory over Bates College, setting a positive tone early.

Season Performance

The 1939 campaign featured a balanced mix of in-state rivals and regional opponents from New England. The team faced a challenging non-conference schedule, typical of independents during the era, with no formal league structure to guide matchups.

Head Coach: Kenneth P. MacDonald led the team in his fifth season, bringing stability and continuity to the program.
Key Win: A 20–0 shutout victory over New Hampshire on November 11 highlighted the team’s defensive strength.
Rivalry Game: The annual clash with the University of New Hampshire was a highlight, drawing strong local interest.
Losses: The team suffered defeats to Colby College (14–13) and Connecticut (20–7), both close contests.
Final Game: The season concluded on November 25 with a 19–13 win over Bowdoin, securing a winning record.
Player Development: Several players earned all-conference recognition, though no Black Bears were selected for national honors.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1939 season compares to other recent years in the program’s history:

Year	Record	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against
1939	4–3	Kenneth P. MacDonald	107	67
1938	3–4–1	Kenneth P. MacDonald	89	79
1937	2–5	Kenneth P. MacDonald	68	98
1936	5–3	Wallace H. White	112	74
1935	3–4	Wallace H. White	74	86

The 1939 season shows clear improvement in both scoring and defense compared to the previous two years. While not matching the 5–3 record of 1936, the Black Bears were trending upward. The team’s ability to win close games, such as the 19–13 finale, demonstrated growing resilience. This season laid groundwork for future development under MacDonald’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1939 season is a notable chapter in the early history of University of Maine football, reflecting the growth of college athletics during the pre-World War II era. Though not a national powerhouse, the program was building consistency and regional competitiveness.

Historical Context: The 1939 season occurred just months after the start of World War II in Europe, though U.S. involvement had not yet begun.
Program Stability: Kenneth MacDonald’s fifth season signaled a rare period of coaching continuity for the era.
Regional Identity: Games against Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin helped solidify Maine’s role in New England college football.
Amateur Era: Players were not on scholarship, reflecting the strictly amateur nature of college sports at the time.
Legacy: The 1939 team is remembered in university archives as part of Maine’s long football tradition.
Evolution: This season preceded the modern era of college football, offering insight into the sport’s development at smaller programs.

While overshadowed by later teams, the 1939 Black Bears represent a steady step forward for Maine football during a formative period. Their season reflects the dedication of student-athletes and coaches in an era before widespread media coverage or athletic scholarships.