The seven-game slate helped raise money for three area causes.
By Eric Horn
Special to the Sun Journal

MEXICO – People were treated to decades worth of local basketball history Saturday at the third annual Matt Gaudet Mountain Valley Alumni Game Day. The event featured area high school alumni and Mountain Valley players in a seven-game schedule at Mountain Valley Middle School.

Originally scheduled for the high school gym in Rumford, the venue was changed due to a leaky roof. Jane Bubar of the Rotary Club said that even with the sudden shift in plans, organizers were able to announce the change in time to keep turnout strong.

Sponsored by the Rumford Area Rotary Club and the Mountain Valley Sport’s Boosters, the event raised money for a trio of causes, including a trust fund for former Mountain Valley basketball star Matt Gaudet.

Gaudet was named Maine’s Mr. Basketball in 1991 before going on to play at Colby College. He sustained a spinal cord injury in 1997 during a diving accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.

The first alumni game day was organized three years ago as a fund-raiser to help Gaudet in his recovery. Many players went to schools that merged into the Mountain Valley system. They represent local teams from the 1960s through Mountain Valley’s varsity squads. Saturday’s contests featured several stars and former state champions, including a match-up of brothers Andy and Joe Bedard.

Eddie Paterson, who helped launch the tradition, said it provides an opportunity for people to get to know Mountain Valley sports.

“I feel that it’s important for townspeople to learn more about the current teams and players,” he said. “We’re all one school now, and we want people to come out and support our teams.”

Besides seeing past and present Mountain Valley players, spectators were shown a glimpse of its future. Youth league players teamed up in exhibition games during intermissions between alumni games.

Paterson predicted that the totals for Saturday’s fund-raiser would top those from a year ago. “The first year we raised around $15,000; last year around $9,000,” he said. “I estimate that this year will be around $12,000.”

Along with raising money through ticket sales, organizers raffled gifts from businesses and held a 50-50 drawing. A portion of the money will go toward Rotary Club scholarships for high school students and to the Mountain Valley Sport’s Boosters.

After the final game, alumni and fans were invited to a reception at Teena’s Restaurant and Shelter Lounge for food and music.

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