 2007 Hall of Fame Class |
With the support of the M Club, The University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame was initiated 22 years ago to honor Maine's finest athletes and administrators and since then 139 people have been inducted, including seven this year. The Hall of Fame is just one of the many services supported to the University by the M Club. The criteria for selection into the Hall of Fame is achievement in the athletic program, but other factors are also considered. They include character, leadership and integrity, as well as non-athletic service to the University community and achievement later in life.
Barrows was a three-year letter winner in football at Maine, leading the Black Bears to a pair of winning seasons, including a 3-2-2 record in 1941 as a senior captain. Following his career, Barrows was offered an NFL contract by the Washington Redskins, but instead enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was killed in action on August 5, 1944, while leading a platoon in France. He was awarded a silver star, bronze star and distinguished service cross for his service. While at Maine, he was a class president for all four years and was a senior skull.
Bedard was a two-year letterwinner and captain at Maine after transferring from Boston College. A native of Rumford, Bedard led the Black Bears to a school-record 24 victories in 1999-00, and was a two-time First Team America East selection. He led the America East in assists both seasons and ranked among the nation's top 15 both years. The Maine record holder for career and single-season assists, Bedard was also an assistant coach at Maine for two seasons.
Buckley was a four-year letterwinner in baseball at Maine, posting a .431 batting average in 1981 that ranks seventh all-time in school history. A career .340 hitter, he scored 94 runs and drove in 96 and earned All-America honors in 1981, when he was also named MVP of the NCAA Regional. He holds the Maine record for highest batting average in NCAA Tournament play at .526 (20-for-38) with three home runs and nine RBI in nine games. Following his senior season, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers and appeared in five major league games during his professional career.
Mike Flynn lettered four times at Maine and was a First Team All-Yankee Conference selection as an offensive lineman as a senior in 1996. A member of head coach Jack Cosgrove's first recruiting class, Flynn captained the 1996 team to a 7-4 record, the program's first winning season since 1992 and the first winning conference record (5-3) since 1989. Following his career at Maine, Flynn was signed by the Baltimore Ravens and has started on the offensive line in each of the last seven seasons, including 2000, when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.
Vanessa McGowan-Ray earned 12 varsity letters at Maine, starring in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track as a middle distance specialist. She is the school record holder in the 800m, 1500m and 400 high hurdles and is also a member of the school's top 4x220 and 4x400 indoor relay teams. McGowan-Ray captured the 800m title at the 1998 America East Indoor Championship and the 2001 Outdoor Championship and also medaled twice at the New England Championships (2001 Indoor and Outdoor).
Garth Snow was a four-year letterwinner in men's ice hockey at Maine and one of the program's top goaltenders. He is tied for the school record in victories with 66, including a single-season best 25 during the 1991-92 season and 21 in 1992-93, when he led Maine to its first NCAA National Championship while posting a school-record GAA of 2.08. At the time of his graduation, Snow owned nine school records and a share of two others, including win-loss percentage at .854 (66-10-3). He was 21-0-1 in 1992-93 during Maine's National Championship run and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team for his play. A two-time Hockey East honoree and 1993 All-New England pick, Snow represented the United States in the 1994 Olympics and, following his Maine career, played in 368 NHL games, posting 135 wins and a 2.80 GAA. He is currently the General Manager of the New York Islanders.
George Wood was an equipment manager at Maine for 43 years (1947-1990), which is one of the longest tenures in the history of the Maine athletic department. He was a highly-respected professional in his field, admired by his peers, coaches and student-athletes for his dedication, knowledge and resourcefulness. Former Maine football coach Jack Bicknell called George, "the best equipment manager I have ever worked with."
If you would like to nominate someone for future induction into the Hall of Fame contact the UMaine Athletic Media Relations Office at (207) 581-3596, or submit the nomination form. 
