AUBURN — Jeff Sloat laughed when he considered one of the fringe benefits of his father, Brad, earning induction into the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame this spring.

“He gets to be on the wall at Gipper’s (Sports Grill). I can always come back here and tell people, ‘Hey, that’s my dad,’ ” he said.

Saturday, April 12 will be a special evening for the Sloat family.

Receiving a lifetime achievement award for his exploits as a football standout at Edward Little High School and the University of New Hampshire would be gratifying enough for Brad Sloat. As a relatively young inductee, however, Brad will be doubly blessed to see his son receive an A-L Hall of Fame Presidents Award for his current athletic achievements in the same banquet hall at Lost Valley Ski Area.

Brad Sloat is joined by Lewiston High School basketball ace Ray Sirois, Bates College quarterback Arthur Blanchard and late longtime athlete, coach and school administrator Dick Gibson as the 20th Hall of Fame class honored by the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. Jeff Sloat is one of seven EL student-athletes leading a group of 17 high school and college performers and four state championship teams who will also receive recognition that night.

Hall of Fame chairman Fern Masse announced the honorees at a Friday afternoon luncheon at Gipper’s. Tickets to the induction banquet are available by calling the Chamber at 783-2249.

As a former assistant with the EL football program and a youth basketball coach for many years, Brad Sloat had the best seat in the house to watch his son’s career unfold. The years of practice, sacrifice and late-night bus trips culminated in two consecutive appearances in the Western Class A boys’ basketball final and a Pine Tree Conference football championship.

“The thrills that Jeffrey and his friends have given us have been incomparable,” Brad said. “(Older son) Andy received the President’s Award in 2000, which was special, and to be able to share this occasion with Jeffrey is such a proud moment for us.”

At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, the elder Sloat said he was considered a “big kid” when he played at Edward Little, where he graduated in 1973.

Today he looks at his son, a strapping 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker, and recognizes that the game has changed dramatically.

“The speed of the game has gotten faster,” said Brad. “The game is more physical.”

He passes on that perspective to Jeff, who will attend Hebron Academy for a postgraduate year of football, basketball and track before trying to embark on his own college football career.

“I need to get bigger,” Jeff said. “He’s always after me about getting in the weight room.”

His distaste for the grind of the gym notwithstanding, Jeff clearly respects his father’s impact on his gridiron and hardwood success.

“It’s great to get this award the same night they’re recognizing the the guy who taught me everything I know, especially about football,” said Jeff. “He’s coached me since I was six years old in basketball. I’ve probably learned more from him than anybody. I’m very proud of him.”

Brad has tried to pass along the wisdom he gleaned from his notable football coaches, Lawrence “Doc” Hersom of EL and Bill Bowes of UNH.

“I was fortunate to have great coaches,” said Brad. “There’s only one Doc. I always felt like Doc was sold a little bit short. He was the primary reason that program was so successful (in the 1970s). As an athlete, I idolized him. He was all I ever wanted to be.”

Joining Jeff Sloat on the list of President’s Award winners are EL schoolmates Sarah Crispin, Denise Minigell, Krista Wotherspoon, Nick Lawler, Randy Morin and Brian Taylor; Mickey Begin, Erica Bonenfant, Kirk Bolduc, Rob Laverdiere and Meagan Lever of Lewiston; Sarah Kay of St. Dom’s; Justin Easter, Carla Flaherty and Sean Atkins of Bates; and Kristi Royer of Bowdoin College.

EL’s championship hockey team, Lewiston’s title-winning girls’ tennis team and the champion cheerleading squads from Lewiston and St. Dom’s also will be recognized, along with a “Flashback to Fame” award saluting coach Dick Collins and the LHS football team on the 25th anniversary of their state title.

koakes@sunjournal.com