Orono Brotherhood: The Black Athlete Experience, Brooks, Conquest, Theobald

Welcome to another powerful episode of the RU Strong Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories of resilience, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds forged through the game of football. Today, we’re honored to have three former University of Maine Black Bear football players, Troy Conquest, Lancelot Theobald Jr., and Duane Ellis Brooks, who share their journey of being Black athletes in Orono, Maine from 1982 to 1988.

For Troy, Maine was a shock, he arrived with a New Yorkattitude and had to navigate a world that was vastly different from where he came from. For Duane, being one of only eight Black athletes among over 10,000 students didn’t faze him, he was comfortable, blended in, and lived by his grandmother’s words: “You are not a minority, you are a majority.” And for Lance, it was all about adapting, being comfortable in his own skin, and learning how to maneuver through life without letting anything or anyone stophim. 

But their experiences weren’t without struggle. Troy, Duane,and Lance all felt the weight of being Black in a place where many had never encountered someone like them. There were no social media platforms to amplify their voices or connect them to a broader community. There were tough moments,times when they had no one to vent to, but through it all, they found strength in each other. A faithful circle. No excuses. No surrender.

They wouldn’t change a thing. The challenges they facedprepared them for life. Duane believes that life is not a straight line, you must be flexible, understand that not everyone is the same, and above all, finish what you start. Troy shares that his mother only wanted to see him graduate, a mission that became his driving force. And Lance? He reminds us that we all share the same struggles as athletes, and the fighter within us allows us to do whatever it takes to succeed.

 Their journey is a testament to resilience and relentlessdetermination. They learned to forgive but never forget. They found their way and refused to get in their own way. They made each other stronger, lifting one another up, giving each other purpose. Troy says it best: "Tell me I can’t, and I’ll show you I can.”

 Today, we’re diving into their incredible brotherhood, theirlessons learned, and their unwavering belief that what we go through, we grow through. Because pain has a purpose, sports is a platform, and time is the enemy.

We are forever Black Bears to the bone!