|
Maine to Retire Rufus Harris' Number 20
Feb. 8, 2007 ORONO, Maine--The University of Maine will retire Rufus Harris' number 20 on Wednesday, February 14 at the men's basketball game against the University of Vermont, which will be played at 8 p.m. There will be a pregame reception starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Alfond Family Lounge at Alfond Arena. "Rufus Harris was one of the best, if not the best, basketball player to play at the University of Maine," said Harris' former coach Skip Chappelle. "He was Maine's first 2,000 point scorer. Harris was also a great person, in fact, he even baby-sat for my daughters." He becomes just the third Maine men's basketball player to have his number retired joining Keith Mahaney and Skip Chappelle. Harris played basketball at Maine from 1976 through 1980. He is Maine's all-time leading scorer with 2,206 career points in 103 games. He also holds records for scoring average in a single season, with 25.6 points per game during the 1979-80 campaign. In that season, he scored a school-record 718 points. His 21.4 career scoring average is second all-time at Maine. Harris ranks fourth on Maine's all-time rebounds list with 806 career rebounds. Harris currently holds 10 UMaine basketball records. In addition to his scoring records, he also holds Maine records for field goals made in a season and a career, free throws made in a season and a career and free throws attempted in a season and career. After his senior year, Harris was drafted by the Boston Celtics. He played professionally in the CBA for two years, in Europe for two years and in the Philippines for a year. Harris is a three-time NABC All-District I selection, including a first team selection in 1979-80. He was the 1979-80 ECAC North Co-Player of the Year. He also earned ECAC North First Team honors that season. Harris was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
-U-M-
|
