Since 1923 when the first men and women played intercollegiate basketball in Russell Hall on the Gorham campus, University of Southern Maine (USM) student athletes have competed under six names. Over the next 100 years the Gorham Normal School grew to become the University of Southern Maine, and on Saturday, Dec. 9, the university will celebrate 100 years of Intercollegiate Athletics with a day-long program of honors, competitions, and fellowship.
When the Gorham Hilltoppers merged with the Portland Vikings in 1971, they began competing as Huskies. Huskies have won NCAA Division III National Championships, multiple Final Fours and National Championships in several sports. Southern Maine Huskie athletes have been National Champions and All-Americans.
Al Bean, USM director of athletics for the last 31 years, started with the program as a student athlete in 1973. “So many good things have happened, and several will be celebrated on Dec. 9. I have a genuine sense of pride in what the athletic program has accomplished and celebrate and honor the commitment of the early leaders and mentors who worked so hard to build the foundation.”
The celebration will honor the 1987-1988 women’s basketball team on their induction to the Little East Conference (LEA) Hall of Fame. They were the first USM basketball team to participate in the NCAA Final Four. Emily Artesani, a track and field athlete, will also be inducted into the LEA Hall of Fame. Ben Drummey will receive his second NCAA National Championship ring for winning top honors in the pole vault.
Sophia Slovensky, a May 2023 USM graduate, was the LEA Student Athlete of the Year. She was the NCAA National Champion in the javelin and an Academic All-American. The track and field athlete is one of nine finalists for the Division III National Commissioners’ Association for Woman of the Year, out of 230,000 Women competing in college athletics in Division 1, 2, and 3.
Slovensky will be attending and speaking at the 100th Anniversary.
Bean said that USM student athletes have an overall 3.23 grade-point average. “As a department we are committed to our five core values,” he said, “academic excellence, athletic achievement, personal development, career and professional development, and service to the community.”
In addition to honoring these former USM athletes, the all-day celebration will feature a track and field meet, women’s and men’s basketball games, as well as a reception at the Alumni Reception Center at the USM Ice Arena.
For more information, contact Bean at (207) 780-5588.