NSB Donates $2,500 to Maine Sports Hall of Fame; Eleven Individuals to Be Inducted on September 27

PORTLAND—Since 1972, the Maine Sports Hall of Fame has honored and memorialized the outstanding athletes and contributors who have brought distinction and honor to Maine while also bestowing awards and scholarships to the Maine high school athletes of today. This year’s induction ceremony is set for Sunday, September 27, at 2 p.m. at Hannaford Hall on the campus of the University of Southern Maine in Portland. The event will be recorded and broadcast later on Maine Public Television.

Al Bean, a pitcher, coach, and administrator during a 50-year association with the University of Southern Maine.

Mike Brown, a Maine State Wrestling Champion at Bonny Eagle High School who also earned acclaim as a three-time World Extreme Cage Fighting Champion and four-time Absolute Fighting Champion.

Brian Butterfield, a standout three-sport athlete at Orono High School who went on to have a successful career as a Major League Baseball coach, including with the Red Sox and Yankees.

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, a standout soccer player at Falmouth High School and Dartmouth College who is now the Founder and Chief Community Officer for the Portland Hearts of Pine.

David Hughes, a two-time Olympic sailor who grew up sailing on Casco Bay and captaining teams at Yarmouth and USM. He is also a seven-time World Champion and six-time World Cup Champion. Hughes will also help coordinate the sailing events at the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games.

Carrol LaHaye, a three-sport athlete at Medomak Valley High School who is now in her 38th season as head women’s basketball coach at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, where she has won 647 games and reached the NCAA Tournament 12 times.

Liz Leddy of Portland who is a three-time National Golden Gloves Champion, five-time New England Champion, and a member of the elite USA Women’s Boxing team.

Mike McDevitt, who was a standout athlete at Ellsworth High School and Saint Joseph’s College where he also compiled 667 wins, 20 conference championships, and 15 NCAA Tournament appearances as a women’s basketball coach. In over 50 seasons in athletics, he never experienced a losing season.

Bob Morse, who led the skiing, cross country, and track programs at Yarmouth High School for a combined 95 seasons, winning over 65 state championships.

Rachel Schneider Smith, a Sanford native who was a track and field state champion and an All-American at Georgetown University. She competed in the 5K at the 2020 Olympic Games and earned three national titles during her storied career.

Christina Strong, who was a three-sport standout at Georges Valley High School, earning Miss Maine Basketball honors. At the University of Maine, she contributed to a conference championship team and earned the prestigious Dean Smith Award. She remains among the program’s all-time leaders in assists and is now a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law.

Scholar-athletes from Maine high schools will also be recognized as part of the event for their scholastic aptitude, athletic performance, and leadership qualities. Norway Savings Bank has been happy to support the Maine Sports Hall of Fame for years, including a $2,500 donation ahead of the 2026 induction ceremony.

“We’re proud to be able to celebrate the amazing and diverse inductees that represent good sportsmanship, the importance of teamwork, and outstanding athletic ability,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “Their commitment and perseverance command respect, and the Maine Sports Hall of Fame has done an outstanding job of putting them in the deserved spotlight.”

To learn more about this year’s induction ceremony, including how to purchase tickets, visit www.mshof.com/induction/ceremony.